Let’s face it mommas, there’s pressure to get back to our pre-pregnancy weight after we give birth to our child. And sometimes the pressure comes from ourselves.
But don’t worry mommas, it’s pretty normal to feel this way. After all our body has gone through so much change–being pregnant, giving birth, and raising a child to name a few. These life moments can tremendously put a toll on us mommas–emotionally, mentally and yes physically. And this is exactly what celebrity host, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla shared with her story.
Mariel devoted her time being a hands on mom to her almost 3 year old daughter Isabella. She breastfed her daughter during her first year. This kept her busy and sleepless on most nights but this was the sacrifice she was willing to make because she wants to nourish her baby. But she admits that she lost herself in the process, with her weight shooting up to a whopping 177 lbs. at her heaviest.
“I woke up one day and I was like, ‘How did I get this big?’ It really lowered my self-esteem. I didn’t wanna go out, I couldn’t show myself to people. I turned down so many job offers and I couldn’t even take a picture with my baby.”
When Marie France came, Mariel knew she found the perfect slimming partner to help her bring back her old self. “It was a dream come true! Marie France is perfect because it’s non-invasive and it goes with my healthy lifestyle.”
Mariel started her weight-loss program with Plasti-Dermi Treatment, which helped break down stubborn fat. To trim off the excess inches and tone up her skin, she also had the flab-firming Physique Inch-Loss. The fat-melting FMS Elite helped Mariel lose the postnatal pounds by speeding up her calorie-burning.
One of Mariel’s favorite treatments is the 4-in-1 super slimming solution – Thermo Magnetic Pulse. It reduces fat, recontours the body, tightens the skin and diminishes cellulite. She also loves the body sculpting Endermologie+, which she likens to a hard massage.
“During the time I was breastfeeding and I had no sleep at all, my ‘EDM+ time’ was when I was able to catch some sleep and get a massage while losing weight.”
Now more than 40 lbs. lighter, with 8 inches off her tummy and 4.8 inches off her hips, Mariel has restored her confidence as she takes time to love her body again. Slimmer, shapelier, and healthier, she now enjoys capturing beautiful memories with her Isabella. And for her, that’s the best thing about her slimming journey.
“My Marie France journey is very close to my heart because it came in a time when I was feeling insecure, I had very low self-esteem. I wouldn’t have done this with just myself. I really needed that extra help. Now, the ‘Mariel’ that I lost, slowly, I’m getting her back.”
Mariel believes that even though moms should do everything for their family, it is also important for them to feel good about themselves. “You have to invest in yourself a little bit. You just need to give it time, you have to want it enough because it’s not gonna happen overnight. But I know it can happen.”
The Truth About Post-baby Weight
Getting back to their pre-baby figure can be such an ordeal for mothers. But what makes post-baby weight so hard to lose? Experts say, hormones can be the biggest culprit.
“When a mom becomes pregnant, the brain, specifically the pituitary glands secrete the hormone called prolactin. This prepares the body for lactation by producing around 10 to 15 lbs. of fat. So when you look at it, a mother is really supposed to gain weight and fat in preparation for breastfeeding,” explained Dr. Regie Layug, Marie France Makati’s Medical Doctor.
In addition to this, the metabolism of pregnant moms increases, so they tend to get hungrier, eat more and consequently gain weight. Some moms sustain this eating habit even after childbirth while factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep, age, and multiple pregnancies also contribute to adding more post-pregnancy pounds.
“During pregnancy, the fat usually concentrates on the abdominal area to insulate and protect the baby. So if you have multiple pregnancies and you haven’t lost the previous layer of fat in your tummy, it would just pile up,” said Dr. Layug, adding, “Without any regular physical activity, the fat stays there even after the baby comes out.”
Breastfeeding = Weight-loss?
Medical experts strongly encourage mothers to breastfeed their child because of the nutritional benefits it gives to an infant. Aside from that, there is a notion that nursing the baby can also help the mom lose weight.
So is breastfeeding the golden ticket to bringing back your pre-baby body? According to Dr. Layug, there are conflicting studies about the correlation between breastfeeding and weight-loss.
“Some studies say that mothers experienced weight-loss when they were lactating while in other studies, instead of weight-loss, there’s weight gain. What the experts say is that there is really no basis to say that weight-loss and breastfeeding are connected, but for sure, there are weight changes related to breastfeeding,” said Dr. Layug.
Based on a recent literature review of studies about maternal nutrition during lactation, typically, mothers experience a mild, gradual weight-loss during the first 6 months after childbirth. However, postpartum weight changes in breastfeeding moms are highly variable, considering there are other contributing factors such as excessive weight gain during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy weight, age, and physical activity.
“According to some anecdotal studies, a breastfeeding mom can lose around 5 to 10 lbs. but the data do not specify the time period for this weight-loss,” said Dr. Layug. “Even though a mom produces less milk, it doesn’t mean that it would take her more time to lose weight.”
Though breastfeeding may not guarantee weight-loss, it does help burn calories. Experts also recommend that breastfeeding moms should engage in a healthy, active lifestyle and to keep their eating in a modest caloric count of 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day.
“Research shows that a breastfeeding mom can burn 700 to 800 calories a day. But of course, when it comes to weight-loss, it really depends on the lifestyle of the mother,” said Dr. Layug, adding, “For moms who are really active, weight-loss can be evident in just 3 to 6 months. But for some moms, it could persist up until 3 years to 5 years.”
Losing the Post-baby Weight
While breastfeeding may not be a sure-ball way to getting back the pre-baby body, it does help fast-track the weight-loss process through calorie-burning. Combining a positive outlook and an active, healthy lifestyle, moms can get rid of the post-baby weight more efficiently.
“Stay hydrated and watch what you’re eating. It should be balanced, not too much on fatty and salty food. And of course, you should be able to move more to increase your caloric expenditure,” advised Dr. Layug.
Marie France understands the struggle. That’s why we design holistic and proven effective slimming programs for moms. With our team of slimming experts, losing the post-baby weight can be easier, faster and more convenient.
“At Marie France, we have weight-loss treatments such as the FMS Elite, which helps in shedding off the excess pounds. Aside from that, we give them medical advice and nutritional guidance to help change their lifestyle and eating habits. Plus, the motivation that our slimming counselors give helps a lot. Our team works really hard to uplift and guide our mothers in getting back in shape.”
Drastic weight loss through extreme dieting after giving birth is not good for you and your baby. When your caloric intake is restricted, you may end up with a low breast milk supply or with breast milk that’s lacking in the nutrients that your baby needs.
Learn more about how you can lose weight the effective and safe way. Request for a free consultation by calling 894-BODY or sending a message to 0915-547-4556.
I’ve gone to Marie France a couple of times already. I’ll share with you what treatment I’ve done on a separate post. ☺️
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