6 Tips for a Flat Tummy After Pregnancy
The influence of celebrity culture and social media has made many people feel pressure to quickly return to their pre-pregnancy bodies. It’s important to remember that your entire being just went through a tremendous change. Every person’s body is different, so recovery time can feel, be, and look different from one person to the next. Those interested in obtaining the appearance of a flatter tummy have several options that can help, including sportingpostpartum compression garments. Keeping in mind certain tips as a new mom can assist you with feeling more like yourself as you embrace this next wonderful part of your life.
1. Wear Postpartum Garments
Postpartum garments can help smooth out your tummy. However, the most important thing is that the right postpartum compression garment may help reduce pain and discomfort while supporting your tummy. Speak with your doctor about which style may be ideal for your healing.
Postpartum tummy control garments are helpful tools to include in your wardrobe for a sleek look. Certain types may also help you through the recovery process. Keep in mind that, one key shopping tip is to buy for your current size rather than trying to squeeze into smaller sizes.
As the name suggests, shapewear offers shaping, but what's most important is to choose items that offer support and fit comfortably. Shopping high-quality options that can offer you all that plus feature the style and design you desire is paramount. Consider the following qualities while you’re shopping for your ideal shapewear garments.
Technology
Our team at Leonisa creates fabrics in-house to ensure support, comfort, and efficient compression. We use multifilament threading so our garments maintain quality and durability even when frequently used. Our goal is a discreet look with all the qualities you desire in exceptional postpartum shapewear.
Compression Type
Your postpartum body isn’t going to feel or look the same on a daily basis, and that’s completely okay. It’s one of the reasons why Leonisa offers shapewear garments in a range of compression levels. There are options for when the need for comfort surpasses everything else, yet you still crave gentle support. There are also moderate compression garments and ones that offer firm compression. However you feel from one day to the next, Leonisa is here to help.
Postpartum Needs
It’s essential to be kind to your body while you navigate the postpartum healing process. Avoid compression garments that make it challenging to breathe, walk, bend, and do everyday tasks. Choose options that encourage blood circulation. Whether you’ve experienced a vaginal birth or had a C-section, you can help your recovery along by wearing waist cinchers and everyday shapewear that support your abdominal area as it heals.
2. Prioritize Nutrition
As a mother, you naturally focus primarily on your child, but balancing that with self-care is crucial. Prioritizing nutrition is ideal for you and your baby. Healthy eating not only provides your body with much-needed nutrients, but it can help you feel more like yourself.
Contrary to popular belief, restrictive diets won’t help you maintain a healthy body or give you a flat tummy. Instead, incorporate plenty of nutritious foods into your diet, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. Choose high-quality meat for protein, and check dairy product labels to avoid unhealthy fats.
Eating healthy, nutritious meals and staying hydrated will help you look, and most importantly feel, your best. As an added bonus, maintaining a healthy diet may lead to a flatter tummy!
3. Manage Your Stress
We get it. Managing stress may sound laughable, considering you have a new baby and many other things to handle daily. However, it's crucial for your physical and mental health. It may also be helpful for getting a flatter tummy.
Prolonged elevated levels of cortisol could contribute to weight gain, among other health issues. Rising stress levels can lead to increasing cortisol levels, so it's vital to manage your stress as much as possible.
The most important step is recognizing your stress triggers and patterns. For instance, if you tend to eat unhealthy snacks when stressed, keeping items like cake and cookies easily accessible may not be beneficial for your health. Instead, keep plain Green yogurt and berries on hand to make an easy, sweet snack that's high in protein and vitamins. Find recipes that offer healthier versions of your favorite snacks to help you stay on track.
Another tip is to regularly engage in stress-reducing activities. For example, you can practice gentle yoga or put your baby in a stroller and go for a walk. Breathing exercises and meditation can be incredible for helping you get through tough moments, no matter where you are.
4. Optimize Your Sleep
Getting as much sleep as possible is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your new baby. When you feel exhausted and worn down, you’re more likely to make decisions that don’t benefit your overall well-being.
Studies show that women naturally need more rest than men. Many parents start implementing a sleep training routine when their baby is around four or five months old, but it's all about what you and your pediatrician feel is best. If you can sleep train your baby, getting adequate rest will be much simpler.
Aim for seven to nine hours of rest each night as often as possible. For better sleep, make sure your room is at your preferred temperature, and invest in a high-quality mattress to enhance your comfort. Another tip is to set a cut-off time for your phone, television, and other electronics so that your brain and the rest of your body have a chance to wind down.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask for support. Having a trusted loved one watch the baby while you take a nap can be great for allowing your body to get the rest it desperately needs.
Getting enough sleep whenever possible could help you make better decisions, feel less grumpy and overwhelmed, and nurture your health goals. You may feel better equipped to balance your daily tasks and, as an added bonus, getting adequate sleep can help with your weight loss efforts. It won't happen overnight, but taking small steps is massive for making progress.
5. Exercise
Be gentle with yourself as you get back into exercising. The most important step before doing anything is to get clearance from your doctor, especially if you had a C-section or other complications during labor. Your health and healing are the most important. Don’t rush the process, as it will only prolong your recovery.
Recognize where you are, and honor the current state of your body before jumping into any type of exercise. It will take time to get back to your pre-baby exercise routine, but keep in mind that the goal is to develop a refreshed routine while establishing new health goals.
Start slowly by tracking your daily steps. Your doctor can give you a certain number of steps to aim for each day, but take things little by little. Even taking short walks outdoors or on a treadmill can significantly add up.
Set small goals and slowly increase your activity level. This strategy will help you heal properly, get stronger, and avoid injury. Rushing it won't do you any favors. Celebrate your achievements, prioritize your recovery, and remain motivated while you work toward your personal fitness, health, and well-being goals.
Make sure you're being gentle with yourself. Acknowledge the incredible work you did to birth a tiny little human. You’ve accomplished one of the hardest things a person can do. Embrace your progress, and celebrate your journey and your beautiful body.
6. Consider Medical Intervention
If you want to lose weight but you're struggling to do so, please know that's something many people have issues with postpartum. You may find it beneficial to consult with your doctor about your options. They can help establish a healthy plan that's personalized for you, likely with the assistance of other professionals, such as a dietician.
During your journey, wearing supportive garments can provide extra abdominal support during recovery, including while you're getting back into walking more often. These garments can help reduce strain on your muscles and aid in the healing process.
Achieving Your Flat Tummy Goals
The process of getting a flat tummy after pregnancy will involve ups and downs, but we're here to help. At Leonisa, our team specializes in crafting the perfect compression garments to help you feel more confident and comfortable during the undertaking.
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