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There is good news mamas! Would you believe us if we told you that losing the baby weight is possible without stepping foot in a gym?
Can we get an AMEN?!
We know what you’re thinking…that sounds crazy!
Being a new mom of twins demands around the clock feedings, minimal sleep and thousands of diaper changes. Adjusting to your new normal is taxing on anyone, which usually means that moms lean towards taking a nap or washing bottles instead of carving out time to exercise. At this point in your life, it might not be realistic to hit the gym on a regular basis.
Taking care of yourself and two babies throughout your entire pregnancy and during those challenging postpartum months are easier said than done.
We can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard, “Oh, you have twins…..what was it like eating for 3?”
Or, “Geez, how much weight did you have to gain with twins?”
The simple answer is that we both gained a ton of weight, rightfully so! Healthy mamas, healthy babies. Just as long as it took us to gain that weight, we gave ourselves some serious grace to gently get back into our grooves and find our own stride in our new bodies.
Our bodies had to to adapt quite a bit to be able to grow and carry two babies around for 37 weeks, so it goes without saying that we looked and felt different after birthing our twin boys.
It’s been years now and we have gone through some major transformations after healing from C-Section deliveries, breastfeeding our twins and keeping our little kiddos alive.
But we will tell you, making deliberate and healthy choices will help you shed your baby weight.
So before you leave the hospital with your new family, keep these habits a in mind and as soon as you can, make them a part of your lifestyle to jump start your weight loss journey:
Drink More Water
Dehydration slows down your metabolism, which plays a big role in weight loss. By the time you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated.
So mamas, drink up.
The Institute of Medicine recommends that women drink 91 ounces (or 2.7 Liters) of water per day. A breastfeeding mom should add an additional 32 ounces to their daily water intake. While consuming that amount of water seems daunting, it can be done and it is important. Drinking water flushes toxins out of your system, keeps you feeling fuller and helps to ward off cravings. Do yourself a favor and take home that large water bottle with the straw the hospital gives you. You’ll be downing more aqua in no time and shedding your baby weight at the same time!
Don’t cut calories
Yes we have all come to believe that cutting calories is key to weight loss, but the truth of the matter is, cutting calories can have damaging effects on your metabolism, which is your #1 tool for losing that baby weight.
Turning your focus on serving sizes and making healthy food choices is much more effective for weight loss because cutting calories only forces your body to store calories for survival when it is being starved.
If you are a breastfeeding mom, you actually need to consume 300-500 more calories than what you needed to maintain your weight pre-pregnancy. Cutting calories to lose weight will affect your milk supply.
Breastfeed
We know that breastfeeding has wonderful benefits, but can come with it’s challenges, especially when your breastfeeding twins. Giving it a good ol’ college try may be worth your while because it burns calories, around 500 extra calories a day.
According to Stephanie Moore, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant/Registered Nurse, “One needs to eat an additional 500 nutrient-rich calories, above one’s basic physiological needs, to make sufficient milk. Someone women don’t lose weight until the infant is weaned. Others drop weight quickly. Nutrient-dense calories are important. One is not going to lose weight if eating 500 calories of junk.”
Breastfeeding also releases a hormone called oxytocin, which helps to shrink your uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size, thus helping to eliminate postpartum belly.
Just think, while your SITTING at home, bonding with your babes… you can burn calories. That’s a win in our book for sure!
Plan ahead, meal plan
We have found that we eat the healthiest when we plan our week in advance. That’s right mamas, we plan out the meals and snacks that we will be eating throughout the week.
And we write it down! Written goals are a powerful way to keep you on track, meaning that you will be less likely to hit the drive through window when you have a meal that you prepared waiting in your fridge.
Join our supportive community of moms and grab our handy weekly planner to help you get organized.
Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast
This goes hand in hand with the concept behind cutting calories. Your body will continue to burn calories and your metabolism will do it’s job when your body is constantly being fed. Instead, start your day off with a nutritious breakfast and continue to eat, smaller snacks or meals often throughout the day.
Be active, Go for Walks
It’s no secret that sitting around on the couch all day will not help you lose your baby weight.
Don’t panic, we aren’t suggesting that you hit the gym, but we are suggesting that you get up, stay busy and active. Put that stroller to good use, toss the babies in and get out for some fresh air. Throw some lunges or body weight squats in every few blocks and you’ve got yourself a calorie burning workout. You’ll be shocked how many walks you will take as a new mom. Crying Twins? Get some fresh air, go for a walk and come back refreshed!
Want an extra challenge? Instead of pushing the stroller, put your babies in the Twin-Go and go for a walk…it’s like wearing a weighted vest. Don’t forget your lunges!
Clean Eating
Focus on nutrition, your diet is 80% of your weight loss. Working out is for building muscle and gaining energy. Choosing the right foods, that are packed with nutrients, will help you shed that extra baby weight by helping you to feel full for longer amounts of time and give you more energy!
The next time you are thinking about raiding the pantry, grab a piece of fruit or munch on some carrots & hummus instead!
Keep in mind: Food is fuel! Ask yourself, will this fuel my body to and give me energy until the babies go to sleep tonight? Will this get me through the witching hour? If your immediate response is: probably not, well maybe skip it.
Work on your core
When your body has healed from birth and you are cleared to begin that exercise routine that you’ve been missing, keep in mind your core is essential! You were able to use your body as a vessel for growing your twins over so many months, but the struggles you face afterwards are hard on your core. Need inspiration on great postpartum core exercises? Here are 10 at home core exercises to try!
Remember, your body has been put through a monumental task of growing and nourishing two babies. Your body needs some extra lovin’ and TIME to heal properly before you get back on track. Treat yourself kindly. Your body and mind will thank you!
Do you have any additional tips you’d like to add to this list? What helped you on your postpartum journey?
Share everything with us in the comments below!
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