6 Home Workouts for the Whole body whilst Watching TV!
If you’re finding it hard to lose BABY WEIGHT, don’t beat yourself up about it – there are serious SCIENTIFIC REASONS why it’s so difficult.
And they point to EXERCISE, more SLEEP and less STRESS as the main solutions and we have some great free solutions for you too!
1. Pregnancy means new fat cells
Research1 (Mermel 1991) has shown that the number of fat cells in women’s bodies INCREASES during pregnancy – it’s the body’s way of protecting MUMS and BABIES from famine. And the bad news is that fat cells don’t go away; they sit there just waiting to STORE ENERGY in the form of fat! This scientific phenomenon goes a long way to explaining why so many of us MOTHERS have trouble shifting their ‘mummy tummy’ after having a BABY!
What can you do about it?
Thankfully, you can shrink fat cells with exercise and diet to help reduce tummy fat and lose baby weight. We know only too well how BUSY mums are, especially if your in the postpartum period after CHILDBIRTH. Actually this is why BeHappyMum designed FITMAMA for exactly this reason – fitting only 5 or 10 minute workouts into a normal BUSY DAY at home and with no special equipment! Whether your on the floor changing NAPPIES, or in the kitchen planning mealtime, we found a way for MUMS everywhere to fit this in!
2. Sleep loss makes a hungry Mum!
Every new mum is sleep deprived, right? And when you’re suffering from LACK OF SLEEP, your body secretes more of the HORMONE cortisol and less of the hormone leptin, both of which affect APPETITE.
Our bodies respond to these fluctuations by inducing hunger CRAVINGS. And that’s why we head for the fridge when we’re EXHAUSTED! So next time you have a little LAPSE of willpower, be kinder to yourself Mum not just the CHILDREN, there’s a reason for it!
3. Sleep loss increases fat storage
As if that wasn’t enough, researchers2 have found that SLEEP deprived people also take 40% longer to regulate their BLOOD SUGAR after eating carbohydrates, which promotes the overproduction of insulin. In turn, this can lead to increased STORAGE of body fat. And despite all of our MOTHERHOOD chores and rushing around, we still don’t need extra BODY fat thanks!
What can you do about it?
Why not try some USEFUL TIPS for getting more sleep – sound impossible with your KIDS and try our 7 Energy Boosting Tips for Mums we also gave last week – sure to have one on there you can use Mums!
BeHappyMum Mum says:
“My best tip is to avoid any caffeine or even sugary juice 3 hours before you ‘attempt’ to sleep, try herbal tea or lemon in hot water to relax and prepare your mindset. I particularly like ginger infused with something. You don’t need any extra activity in your brain before bed!“ Anna, Founder of BeHappyMum
4. A Stressed Mummy!
Remember that appetite-impacting hormone cortisol? Well, the bad news is that you PRODUCE more cortisol when you’re STRESSED (baby crying, anyone?!). And, just like when you’re OVERTIRED, an increase in this pesky hormone induces major hunger CRAVINGS.
What can you do about it?
We’ve developed an new free app WellMama for new mothers that requires no experts or lots of time! 5 or 15 minute easy yoga exercises with home stuff or without as props! Exert yoga exercises adapted for busy mums, helps to relieve stress, postpartum aches and pains common in the postpartum period.!
BeHappyMum #RealMums Say:
“…instead of reaching for some fatty foods to cheer me up, I eat something that gives me energy for longer – right now I try and eat eggs & porridge more often and snack on fruit before the school run – I find my patience goes that tiny bit further! Also keeping topped up with water and the old ‘Count to 10’ helps to keep a clear head!“ Jo, Mum of 3 Brackley UK
We’ve written this blog to reassure all MUMS that BABY WEIGHT is a universal problem with real root causes. So ladies, be KIND to yourselves when you’re finding it hard to lose your mummy tummy – and AIM for a little more exercise, more sleep and less stress!
And check out our free apps on Google Play and Appstore made especially for busy mothers!
Like this? See our 6 Top Tips for exercising after Baby
1 Mermal 1991 2 University of Chicago Medical Center 1999