Beauty & Grooming  Discussion Forum

Why is it that indian women consider pregnancy to be such a delicate and precious event in their lives. I agree that to a certain extent it is special but that doesn' t mean that you stop working in your normal capacity unless there are complications with your pregnancy as such and the doctor recommended it.

Most indian women put on trmendous amounts of weight due to this false notion that you are not supposed to work during pregnancy, which is completely false. Unless your body is asking you to slow down, which it usually does when you are over worked, one can do everything that one normally does when not pregnant.

The reason for this lecture is stemming from women who are unable to get back into shape or their original stamina levels after the pregnancy and having a baby. Every second woman who comes on this board keeps complaining that they have a little one to take care of. LOOK AROUND YOU LADIES. You were born in a country that has a BILLION plus population. If all the women in our country started giving babies as a excuse to work then do you have your bai coming to work every day, or your dhobi or any other zillion jobs that women do in a given day. Kids are not supposed to keep you from being healthy, they should enhance and extend your life and its meaning. They are a boon, don' t let them become a bane of your life.

I agree that with all the sleepless nights, allergies, sickness, day cares etc.. it could get overwhelming sometimes, but that should not let you lose the sight of the big picture.

I really don' t mean to offend anyone here as i' m also the mother of two(6 and 3 yr olds) and have been through almost every scenario of taking care of children that a normal woman goes through. But this was just a reminder to all those women who give kids as an excuse to not be good to themselves. If any then make them an excuse to be good to yourself and your husband and the rest of the family.

Cheers to being born a woman!! Malini replied. Very well said! It is also a misconception that after having a c-section you can' t work out. Agreed you can' t do heavy exercises but you can do brisk walking after a week. You can do stretches.

The other common one I have heard is that I have to eat because I am breastfeeding. Agreed, you have to eat when you are breastfeeding but you can eat healthy...not stuff full of ghee which is an old wives tale that makes me you stronger. All that ghee and oil settles in your stomach, hips, thighs and butt!

The hard and fast rule is that exercise combined with a healthy and proportional diet is the key to maintaining a healthy weight.

Also, things like looking after your skin and hair makes you feel better about yourself and motivates you.

Not every woman can afford to go to the gym but devoting 30 minutes daily or 3 times a week to yourself is not going to mark a huge effect on your child.

I have 2 kids, 7 & 4 and both children were c-sections. yet in 8 months I was back to my original weight. It didn' t happen over night and I worked very hard. I breast fed both my children until they were 18 months old and I was working. I just watched what I put in my mouth, daily I did brisk walking and I bought a pilates dvd that I did 3-4 times a week.

Just my 2 cents we should not make excuses - Where there is a will there is a way!
sandya replied. Jyotika,
thanks for sharing your success story. I think we need more stories like yours on this board to motivate women who think kids are the reason why they cannot go for a workout.

Overcoming problems or issues should be our motto. Imagine when your kid has diarrhea, what would you do? try to think of some home remedies before jumping in the car and taking him/her to see a doctor. won' t you? Similarly, when you think you cannot go for a workout b' cos of your baby, then try pooling with your neighbour to care for you kid. In return for their support, you take care of their kids when they go shopping or to do any other chore. Its simple give and take scenario. Let your kids socialize instead of growing lonely in the country of a billion.

Keep it coming women. We need many more inspiring stories to do what it takes to get healthy. Jyothika replied. Dear Sandhya,
I apprecaiate your voice and all that you have said is true.
I am a woman with One and half year old kid and i have put on lot of weight during pregnancy.And have lost almost all of that.

I live in USA and i used to wonder how the women here look the same by not puuting on weight in other parts of their body except the tummy.I wanted to be like that when i carried my baby but could not because i agined lot fo weight inspite of doing all the household chores by myself.

I workout daily now and i see many pregnant women coming and working out.I see a lady who is about 7th month pregnant and works out very well and even attends the aerobic classes.I feel so good and motivated to see them.We being women must be more energetic and lively because we have to take care of the whole family.

I Love being a woman and cherish all the effort i put to take care of my home.
Cheers to You too!!!