Beauty & Grooming  Discussion Forum

I came to know about this site from one of my freinds and Im really surprised to find the kind of support that is offered by fellow members.I had a c-section 4 months back and I have increased from 60 kgs (pre-pregnancy wt) to 80 kgs.I stay in India..Im currently a stay at home mom and breast feeding my baby boy.It would be great if someone could help me out as well with my queries.

1. Is a tummy after c-section mandatory..i mean is there any way to reduce it?

2.I dont include oily stuff/sweets in my diet..But still my diet includes a general south indian one with idlis for bfast,rice for lunch and rotis for dinner and milk(low fat) around 1 ltr per day.Since im bfeeding can I abstain from rice and stick only to whole wheat rotis alone?

3)Since Iam the only person to take care of my baby(no support from hubby in any way)..I have no chances of going to gym..I go for occasional walks and also have a stationary bike at home..Can some one offer advice on losing weight
by offering some schedule..Im not able to make one for me..(like when to walk..bfore food or after food..coz since im bfeeding my baby I take fruits or milk in between and my eating times are a haphazard)
4)My gynaec told me we tend to lose weight thru bfeeding..but i dont seem to have lost a kilo.Does this weight loss due to bfeeding never occurs in some people or does it happen in a later point of time?

Im counting on you guys for a reply...Since Im on a very low self esteem these days coz of my looks... Archi replied. Dear Raashi!

I can completely empathise with you as I am also in a similar situation. I have also had a c section 3 months back. I used to weigh 44 before conceiving went upto 59 during delivery and now weigh 52kgs. Although I have lost 50% of my total weight gain I still have loose flabs which look pretty bad especially in trousers/skirts.

Whether you deliver normally or through c-section you are bound to have tummy which goes gradually through regular crunches. Even I do not have any help at home and I am constantly on the look out for a full time baby sitter so that I could do my regular work outs but have not been able to find one. So what I do is wake up early mrg (6 am) feed my baby and then when my hubby is still home go for an half hour brisk walk. It really helps as the air that you inhale and exhale is pollution free. Then I get home by 7 am and have warm water with lime ( a littel salt is ok). before breakfast I do some warm up/ stretch exercises and tummy crunches in front of my baby ( as she is up and playing by then) for about 20 to 25 min.

Like Sandhya said I tend to do little of my household chores to tone my body I also take my noon siesta as I wake up in the night to breast feed her.

Well, the most important thing is to get out of the baby blues and feel happy and confident about ourself. I used to also feel miserable as I could not fit into any of my old trousers or shirts/tshirts ( as my bust size has grown due to feeding) but now I am certain that 4 months down the line I will!!!

I have wholesome food as I am also exclusively breastfeeding her but I am careful in what I eat. Rice just in the noon only rotis at night only 1 tsp sugar in the whole day food cooked only in refined sunflower oil only brown bread no food cooked in coconut no pastries/pizzas/ice creams, junk food etc. (once in a way is ok). This regime, I am sure will boost your morale and will make you happy and fit very soon.

All the Best!!! Let me know if it works for you coz people like us with no support at home need to find our own ways to keep fit and enjoy or baby!!! sandya replied. raashi,
read the following thread to understand your tummy shape after a c-section :

tummy shape by sandya on this message board.

In answer to your questions about :
Since im bfeeding can I abstain from rice and stick only to whole wheat rotis alone?

then yes, you could stick to rotis alone. Remember complex carbohydrates when you eat. Complex meaning whole. Whole wheat flour or brown rice or cracked wheat is what you need to eat to lose weight. The more fiber you eat, the more you lose. More fiber doesn' t effect your breastfeeding at all. Infact, it will be better. Breastfeeding is only affected by the amt of time the baby is at your breast. The more he spends time there, your body will be providing him with more milk.

About working out before or after a meal then i say before a meal is always better. A cardio(anything that gets your heart going) workout increases your metabolic rate(the rate at which you burn calories) slightly. so, when you eat after a workout, your body processes your meal in a more efficient way.

Weight loss due to breast feeding doesn' t occur while you are breast feeding for most folks. Since you feel enormously hungry while breastfeeding, you also tend to replenish your calorific need while breast feeding. What you can however control is the intake by making sensible choices. Eat more raw vegetables, complex carbohydrates, protien(low fat milk, cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, tofu, paneer etc..) When you stop breast feeding your hunger will vanish by itself and you will automatically begin to eat less thereby losing weight. At this point try to increase your workout. Don' t employ a maid to do the household chores. Do them yourself. Bending and cleaning your floors etc.. needs lot more calories. Why give all the plus points to a maid servant and pay her for being fit. Do them yourself and reap the benefits of health. Getting bored, then take up painting of your baby room. You can build great upper body by painting the walls. I painted my whole house with two kids. Do yard work and lose weight. Any hobby that keeps you away from kitchen and thoughts aways from food is good for you at this time.

Play, jump around with your baby with some music on. Feel silly doing it. Take the baby for a stroll around the block. Instead of keeping him in the stroller, carry him close to your body in one of the things that you get from the market.

Stop looking for comfort in your life. Take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators. Carry your baby while doing this. Weight training and cardio in one shot. Walk to the nearest supermarket to do your shopping instead of asking your husband for help or buying anything that comes to your door. Don' t do all the shopping in one go. Do it in bits and pieces thereby giving you a chance to walk more. Don' t do shopping at the nearest store, instead walk a mile or 2 to another supermarket. In India you don' t need a gym to be fit. You can do it all with the system we have in place. Just try to make the right choices. Hope it helps. Sandya