Returning to Work After Baby

So you’ve had your baby, completed your maternity leave and have made the decision to return to work, good for you! Every woman feels differently, some are very keen to return to work and regain their work identity and others are less so and find the transition very difficult. I’ve spoken before about your support system because it has such an impact in the fallout of these types of decision, for some it will be a constant juggling act and for others a smoother transition back into the world of work. All I can say from personal experience is it becomes more manageable in time, although sacrifices will have to be made.

One of the areas of concern to many of my post natal clients, is where to find the time to continue their weight loss and fitness journey. As between limited sleep, work and family commitments they just do not have any extra time.

So here are some tips to help:

• If you are breastfeeding continue to do so where possible, it helps to burn calories but ensure that your food intake allows for this, see the next tip.

• Take time to plan and prepare your meals & snacks for work and home. Up your vegetable, lean protein and healthy fat intake and reduce your starchy carbohydrate and dairy intake, to maximise on fat burning.

• It’s imperative that you stay physically active, as this will help you with the physical demands of motherhood as well as help you to burn fat. So fit in something like brisk walks, other examples are swimming, running etc which can be done at the beginning/latter part of your day or during your lunch break, a daily 20 minute walk can do wonders. As soon as you can, add some weight training to your workout routine for even more benefits.

• Continue to do your kiegals and your core exercises, to tone your abdominal muscles and  re-strengthen your pelvic floor and abdominals, to prevent lower back pain and the mummy tummy.

• Keep your stress levels down, to prevent reaching for comfort food and storing fat also because of increased levels of the hormone cortisol.

• Utlilse your support network in caring for your baby and getting some me time, as rest is also important.

• Get enough sleep, the ideal amount is 7 – 8 hrs but everyone’s baby has a different sleep pattern, I can attest to that. So try where you can to get some sleep to feel rested.

It may take a little time before you can get into a routine, such that you can start to incorporate some of these tips so just be patient and take things one step at a time. You may have just started to get into a nice little keep fit and healthy eating routine, so returning to work throws you a curve ball. Don’t think of it as taking steps back, view it as a side step where you’ll soon be back on the ascending path.

Good luck in your journey and please feel free to comment on what’s working for you, as is it might work for someone else. If you need further advice please get in touch.