Last week we touched on some of the unexpected changes that come along with becoming a mom. This week we'll dive into more of the crazy and amazing things our bodies do, and can do!
We've all heard about the baby blues and the, not as well known, anxiety that comes with it, but we don't often hear why they happen. The short answer is our hormones get all out of wack. They can stay that way for quite some time too. Progesterone and Estrogen drop and Oxytocin floods in, the combination of which can wreak havoc on our brains. We feel anxious, irritable, tired, short tempered, sad, and nervous. They eventually level out but for some mothers, it seems to take an eternity!
Your Thyroid hormones get wacky too which makes your metabolism bounce all over the place. Just what you need when you are looking at the body formerly known as yours and it's unrecognizable in the mirror. You may or may not be nursing which can help with weight loss, but which can also cause a drop in crucial vitamins such as A, E, C and D. Vitamins B and D are instrumental in giving you energy and boosting your mood. Combined with the hormone roller coaster, this can really ramp up the mood swings.
Sounds fun right? So why do we do it? Because those babies are adorable and also because it's usually temporary. Your body is an amazing machine. It can repair itself, restore any deficiency and replenish vital stores with rest, proper nutrition and some exercise. That exercise may just be a walk around the block. Moving and getting the blood flowing helps to release the "happy hormones" and to battle off the not so happy ones. Getting outside in the sunlight helps with Vitamin D and just puts a smile on your face.
Your body isn't ever going to be what it was. Your hips will likely not go back to where they were, your boobs certainly won't. You will be able to loose the extra weight but it will take time and patience. You can't rush into strenuous exercise for many reasons. If you had a C-Section, the reasons are obvious, but even if you didn't, your body did one amazing thing and it needs time to repair the stretches, tears, and bruises. Once you're able to move again, go easy. One of the other things that happens during pregnancy, is your body releases Relaxin. That hormone allows your joints to stretch and move. It takes time for them to tighten back up and you're at risk for injury until they do.
What you can do right now is eat well! Eat things that are full of great nutrients. If you're nursing, you especially need to eat because your body burns calories producing that milk all day. DO NOT go on a diet. DO eat clean, healthy, whole foods. Go easy on the goodies, breads, pastas, etc.. Fill your plate and your meals with good protein, good veggies and lots of water. Sufficient water will enable your body to repair itself even faster.
If it's been a while since you had your baby but your body looks like it did soon after, or maybe worse, don't panic. You aren't a lost cause, you CAN get back to looking and feeling good. Get moving right now. Go for a walk, swim, hike, bike with the kids, just do something. Then go through your cupboards, clean out anything that doesn't serve to make you and your family healthy. (See my blog https://hdtransformations.com/my-blog/f/clean-out-your-pantry about this) Lastly, make a plan. 30 minutes of movement (breathe hard and sweat) 3 days per week, no exceptions! You'll begin to see change. Be proud when you succeed, forgive yourself when you mess up. Speak to yourself the way you do your child, be kind, be positive, be encouraging. You've got this!!!
