I'm a mother of two, and I have yet to meet someone who believes me the first time I say so. I suppose it's partly because I'm quite young for someone whose kids are both already in school, and partly because I look almost the same as I did back in college, when I weighed less than 90 pounds and survived on a daily diet of cereals for breakfast, a chocolate bar for lunch and a merienda of hopia or fish balls before heading off to my 3- to 4-hour dance class. After that I'd commute all the way from UP Diliman to my parents' house in Manila, and by then I'd be so exhausted I would skip dinner and go straight to bed.
Those days were crazy. And though I had the figure I wanted, I was nowhere near fit. I would be home sick for at least 3 days a month. It's a good thing attendance didn't count for much in UP Stat...
I never could get my waistline to go down to 22 inches again, but my brother always tells me that I'm a mom, and pushing thirty, and so there have to be some concessions. In any case, here are my tips for post-partum slimming...
1) It all starts during pregnancy.
If you keep stuffing yourself silly for 9 months, giving that "I'm eating for two" excuse, then you may have trouble shedding the extra weight afterwards. You have to watch your diet. Not only will your weight gain be attributed more to the baby than to fat, but you'll have a healthier, less risky pregnancy, which is the more important benefit.
When I had Kylie (my eldest), I was very, VERY strict with what I ate. I had a copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting (which became my bible at the time), and followed its advice to the letter. I avoided sweets and fatty food and stuck to all the wholesome stuff that would help ensure a healthy baby. That meant goodbye to anything fried (no Chinese food or greasy American breakfasts!), chocolates, cake and ice cream. To this day I can't believe I had such willpower.
I didn't stop exercising throughout my term. During my second pregnancy I was taking professional jazz classes with the Dancemasters all the way up to my 4th month, until my belly was protruding from my jazz pants. And when I stopped dancing (mostly because it became difficult to do those grand jetes), I did a lot of walking. Back then my husband Dex was working for Robinson's Land and his office was inside a mall, so I got my workout while shopping for baby stuff.
2) Breastfeed your baby.
I don't know exactly why, but breastfeeding speeds up post-partum weight loss. Yes, the pain can be excruciating at first, but -- trust me -- it does subside, and mother's milk really is best. Besides, you're sure to have a lot of funny stories to tell other mothers-to-be. =)
3) Exercise as soon as you are able.
I guess this doesn't apply if you've had a caesarian delivery, but if you've had a normal delivery then you can be up and about on day 1.
You should be able to do some simple exercises around the 6th to 8th week. Calisthenics and walking are a good starting point (again, see What to Expect... for tips on which exercises are safe for you to do). From there, just gradually work your way up to more rigorous activity.
4) Exercise regularly.
Yes, yes, easier said than done. But you just have to. And by "regular" I mean at least twice a week. And it doesn't really matter what form of exercise you take for as long as you are able to raise your heart rate to the ideal level and sustain it for at least 20 minutes.
I'm more the gym-going type (mostly because I keep forcing myself to think of the amount I'm paying for membership). I find that taking a class (hi-lo, step or a dance class) works better for me than hitting the treadmill because it's way more fun and interesting. Then again, when none of the classes I like are available, then I do 20 minutes on the treadmill (because that's the most I can do without boring myself to death. I guess if you're into running, you might as well do it outdoors...), lift weights for another half hour, and finish with abdominal exercises and stretching.
5) Limit your intake.
People think I'm one of those lucky people who can eat anything and not gain a pound; but no, that's just not in my genes. I work hard at maintaining my weight; I always have. True, I can eat anything I want, but I stop as soon as I'm full, and no one can make me touch my food even if there are only 3 spoonfuls left on my plate.
If you're the kind of person who gets guilty over leftovers, then make sure to serve yourself small portions. After clearing your plate, give your stomach some time to assess whether it's full or not. Chances are you might not need to reach for that second helping.
If you're eating out, try your best not to over-order. If you know the servings are big, then split your order with a friend. It cuts your bill in half, too.
There are many ways to succeed in this, and as many excuses not to. Just beware buffets, strengthen your resolve and think about how great you'll look with a waistline. You can do it!
