Postpartum Weight Loss - Joyful Messes

The Best Postpartum Workout Routine That Actually Works

Want a postpartum workout routine that actually works? Of course, you do – it’s why you’re here! After having and recovering from two pregnancies, I know exactly what goes into an after-pregnancy workout routine – meaning I know what moves work and what ones don’t. The postpartum workouts I am going to recommend will help flatten your tummy and get you into shape. In this post, I plan to take you through what you need in a post-baby workout, what I do as a postnatal workout, and what I advise you not to do for a postnatal workout. Here’s What Needs to be Part of Your Postpartum Workout Routine An ab-focused plan to reconnect your mind-muscle connection Posture exercises to correct posture issues that develop during pregnancy Body weight strength work to build strength back safely Long, slow cardio that helps burn fat An important thing to understand is…

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Diet: The Best Foods for Milk Supply and Weight Loss After Baby

I’m breastfeeding my third baby now and I’ve finally got a handle on how to lose the baby weight without affecting my milk supply. I’ve even had a bout of mastitis from overproducing, while still losing all the baby weight in about 2 months. Your breastfeeding diet is really key to telling your body it’s okay to let go of fat, while also providing the nutrients that produce the liquid gold your baby needs. If you are looking for a quick way to increase your breast milk supply, while not consuming extra calories, I highly recommend Fenugreek. I’ve used it a few ways, but the drinkable versions worked best for me. I also found this resource amazing in helping me understand breastfeeding and how to keep up a healthy supply. I know that a nutrient-dense breastfeeding diet plan is essential for successfully maintaining a good milk supply level while also being able to meet…

Breastfeeding

Top Picks for Breastfeeding Safe Protein Powders

Protein packed smoothies are a great way for moms to fill us with good calories, a good way to lose baby weight and help boost milk supply. Protein powder is safe for breastfeeding and can serve several purposes at once for both baby and mom. Protein shakes are such a great way to take in a lot of nutrients, which if you are breastfeeding, you need! Protein is so important for lactation and getting enough of it can be difficult for busy moms. Let’s talk about why protein powders are super helpful to breastfeeding moms. Are protein powders safe for breastfeeding mothers? Yes, here’s why: Protein powders offer high concentrates of essential vitamins and minerals that are normally difficult to consume Protein powders are filling and versatile for use in various shakes and recipes Protein powders are derived from organic and clean ingredients, not chemicals. Protein powders can be sweetened…

Exercise Gear

Top Affordable Fitness Products For 2022

Staying healthy and fit are a priority to most women today and the pressures of eliminating excess baby weight postpartum is a burden too many of us bear. Unfortunately, the cost of going to a gym, or purchasing home equipment for weight loss and strength-training activities can really add up and put a pinch on your bank account. This can set us up for depressing mood swings, or feeling hopeless to losing the weight. Thankfully, there is hope! Taking a few moments to browse the web, I’ve found some sure-fire ways to bring back a smile in the weight-loss realm. Wouldn’t you love an encouraging boost to get your daily fitness routine back on track and still stay within a healthy budget? Here is a selection of fabulous fitness finds that should be easier on the budget and inspire you to knock that postpartum weight off in a flash. Many…

Fitmom

How to Rev Up Your Metabolism After Pregnancy

Pregnancy and childbirth are often considered some of the most beautiful events in life. The BBC reports that in America, there were 3.6 million births from women aged 15-44 years old in 2020. This is a 4% decline from the previous year’s numbers and shows that the rate of childbirth continues to decrease annually since 1979. Research shows that this dip is due to the fact that many women prefer to become mothers much later in life as compared to the previous decades. They claim that this helps them be more prepared for the inevitable differences a baby will make in their lives. How pregnancy changes the body When someone goes through pregnancy, they will notice that their body changes in several ways. Women can experience sensory changes during pregnancy, for one. An example of this is when you start to feel an aversion to food or scents you used to…

Fitness

Baby and Me: Exercise Ideas for Moms on the Go

Sweating, panting, being practically exhausted, and feeling out of breath is not the way to accomplish trying to lose the postpartum baby weight, or staying in shape with your little one in tow. There are so many fun and affordable ideas and methods to getting fit and staying trim while on the go with a new baby along for the ride. There’s no reason to get bent out of shape (see what I did there!) in the process. Everything begins with a little ingenuity, spunk, and determination to keep a daily routine that is flexible and can adapt to whatever environment you happen to be in that day. It doesn’t matter whether you are out at a park visiting with some friends who have little ones playing on the playground, or if you have to meet an executive client for lunch. You can find unique ways to work in some…

Fitmom

How To Maintain, Not Gain Weight Over The Holidays

Many mamas just accept weight gain during the holiday season, and plan on losing that way once January hits. It is much easier to enjoy the holidays if you want to be able to eat all the cookies, all the comfort food and just live in stretchy pants. If that works for you, then go for it! But, you don’t have to go one way or the other. If you aren’t losing weight, you don’t need to be gaining weight, you can just maintain your current weight! And, it actually isn’t that hard because your are already set at that weight, so if you kinda stay in your routine and caloric intake, you don’t have to go through the weight gain and weight loss roller coaster! If you are a breastfeeding mama, it can get super easy to binge on all the cookies, choclates and sweets because we know breastfeeding…

Fitness

The Most Important Abdominal Exercises You Can Do Postpartum

Abdominal exercises are very important postpartum, especially in the early stages when your uterus and abdominal muscles are contracting. If you are breastfeeding, your body is getting some extra help to get back to normal because the breastfeeding hormones also signal uterus contractions. There are some ways you can help your uterus contract and go back to normal size, and there are also some exercises that will help your abs to the same! The first stage is the uterus contracting and decreasing in size, followed by your abs repairing and recovering from being stretched out. There are some very important exercises I can go over to help your core come back. Just because your uterus is back to normal, doesn’t mean your abs should be too. In the early weeks and month or so postpartum, your uterus is contracting and shrinking. The more you breastfeed, the more uncomfortable contractions you…

Fitmom

Your Free Postpartum Workout Plan No Equipment Necessary

Working out postpartum is really important to healing, yet many mamas are fearful and confused on what postpartum workouts they should start with. I am super excited to have Amber Nash from Fit Healthy Best here to give us a free postpartum workout you can do, and the good news is it is without any equipment! But first, let’s go over some important questions on postpartum workouts: When can I start working out postpartum? It is really important that you get clearance from your doctor before you start your workout program because they will check to make sure you are healed. If you begin working out too early, this can cause issues with wounds, scar tissue developing and a slower healing process in those weeks postpartum. Rather than initiating your workout plan early on your own, chat with your doctor before the six-week mark, and see if they agree that your birth…

Breastfeeding

How To Lose The Baby Weight Naturally, Without Working Out

After you have a baby, you may think that breastfeeding will cause the baby weight to just fall off naturally. You can eat what you need, and before you know it, you are back to your pre-baby weight with no major effort. Actually, losing the baby weight while breastfeeding can happen naturally, with no workout plans or fitness regimens. I know exactly how to lose weight while breastfeeding, without working out because that is exactly how I lost the baby weight fast after my first two pregnancies. Here’s a quick run down of my experience, what I’ve learned, what didn’t work, and how you can do it too! Eat as CLEAN as possible for every snack and meal (more on what this looks like below) Use protein shakes for fast nutrition Walk as much as possible Don’t eat unless you are hungry (intermittent fasting can work really well!) Use milk…