Pregnancy and motherhood can be among the happiest times in a woman's life. But learning how to balance physical and emotional changes while trying to get back in shape and maintain a healthy post-baby weight can be challenging.
The weeks and months following childbirth can simultaneously be overwhelmingly joyous and stressful. Fighting fatigue and keeping up with a new baby's needs, along with stresses of running the household, can seem like a never-ending battle. Getting in shape or finding time to go for a walk can seem like just another drain of your already depleted energy reserves, but research shows low-impact exercise can help new moms relax and refocus.
Seek workouts that allow you to take your baby along, like walking or running with a stroller or biking with an infant carrier. You might also consider joining a local gym with a nursery where your child will be cared for while you work out.
Exercising to lose baby weight can help moms shed pounds, manage mental stress and improve self-confidence, but one important thing to realize is getting in shape is as much of a process as nurturing a developing baby. Setting realistic weight-loss goals and taking time to focus on your health should be seen as a necessity. And, even if you're not ready to go full-force with a new workout routine, easing into exercise through yoga or swimming can be therapeutic and mentally refreshing.
A little "Mom" time
Here are a few tips to help new moms achieve a more balanced life:
• Give yourself the same attention and care as you would a loved one.
• Learn to accept help with the baby without feeling guilty or inadequate.
• Enlist the help of a personal trainer with a certification in prenatal and postnatal fitness for a few sessions to get you on the right track.
• Maintain a balanced diet filled with calcium- and vitamin-rich foods, and routinely count calories and fat grams to help manage your weight.
At Siloam Springs Regional Hospital Women and Children's Unit, we recognize that having a baby is a momentous time in your life. Our goal is to provide safe, quality health care for newborns and their mothers. We offer labor and delivery services that balance technology with a family-oriented environment. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com or call 479-215-3300.
About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 40 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care. SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, one of the largest health networks in Northwest Arkansas. The facility is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com.
Editorial on 03/28/2018