A good number of middle-aged women are portly. It is believed that their size is influenced by their giving birth.
Soon after pictures of a post-pregnancy Beyonce in sexy skin-tights with sequins were posted on the internet, Steven Karugaba posted on Facebook: "So Beyonce got curvier after that baby, how the hell do you get your shape back quickly like that?"
Many comments made on this post showed that some people do not expect a mother to get back in shape a month after giving birth. "Lies.....they used a surrogate," read one comment.
"Steve, are you sure this is after the baby?" read another comment. When someone commented that it was possible to lose weight if one is on a strict diet and not breastfeeding, another person refuted this. "...However much one is on strict diet [for] weeks just doesn't cut it."
But is it possible to lose baby fat in four weeks? Dr Vincent Karuhanga says it is possible to lose "baby weight" six weeks after giving birth.
"Many women don't lose that weight because they eat for two when pregnant," Karuhanga says.
He adds: "If a woman wants to lose weight after birth, she should not gain more than 13.5kg during pregnancy."
To minimise excess weight gain, he advises that women balance their diet and continue to exercise throughout pregnancy.
"While pregnant, the emphasis should not be on eating more than usual," Karuhanga says. "It should be on balancing one's diet and taking smaller portions," he adds.
Beatrice Namutebi's gynaecologist put her on diet because she was gaining too much weight rapidly. Namutebi is seven months pregnant. "My mother would tell me, 'You eat, you are pregnant' but my gynaecologist thought otherwise."
Due to the diet, Namutebi has lost some weight and feels healthier.
"I feel lighter. Of the 12kg that I was told I'm allowed to gain, I've gained only nine." She is also happy to know that she will easily shed the weight after giving birth. "That's what the gynaecologist told me," she says.
Karuhanga also says while pregnant, a woman can swim and ride a bicycle, in addition to other exercises without coming to any harm. While Karuhanga points to the possibility of one losing "baby weight" a month after giving birth, Dr Pius Okong, a gynaecologist at St Raphael of St Francis hospital, says the time period in which different women will lose weight varies.
"Losing that weight depends on a woman's physical activity," he says. He mentions that after up to six weeks after giving birth, the exercises that women engage in should be mild.
"We have to keep in mind that soon after birth, mothers are breastfeeding and their physical activity is limited; therefore, they may not lose weight soon after birth. It's after they've gone back to work and they realize that their weight gain is big that they will work on it," Okong says. When mothers are breastfeeding, they may eat larger meals because their appetites are bigger.
Recommended exercises after birth
According to internet sites, the body needs time to recover after giving birth but that does not mean that one should not exercise at all.
"You can start with some gentle exercise, including pelvic floor exercise [Kegels] and lower tummy exercises (not sit-ups) almost straightaway. Strengthening your pelvic floor will help you guard against urine leaks while exercising," reads one dedicated to postnatal health.
Taking a 10-15-minute walk not only helps circulation but is a gentle workout. It also improves mood and can be done with the baby. Swimming is discouraged in the first six weeks after birth because it might result in infection. The best way to lose weight after baby, is to engage in brisk walking or swimming.
"Focus on fast movements using your arms and legs that make your heart beat faster. Allow yourself to get a little of breath, but not so much that you can't hold a conversation," the website advises. This type of exercise is recommended only when one's doctor says one can exercise; this is usually six weeks after birth.
Strenuous exercise soon after birth may result in heavier vaginal bleeding and other complications, especially after a C-section birth.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202170051.html
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