Eat less, move more, and you\u2019ll lose your baby weight. Hmmm. It\u2019s missing something. \u2018Calories in, calories out\u2019 are not the only factor in determining weight gain and fat loss, especially fat loss from around your waistline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We posted recently on how increasing your intake of essential FATS and dramatically decreasing the amount of sugar you eat<\/a> , were two massively important factors in determining belly fat. We\u2019ve established that all calories are not created equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also know that certain types of exercise, ie (that means workouts like the ones MUTU System<\/a> gives you) are much, much more effective and efficient at burning fat than long bouts of cardio exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that\u2019s not all. Hormones and lack of sleep \u2013 kinda pertinent to moms \u2013 can make us store more fat around our middle too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what\u2019s the connection between weight gain after pregnancy and hormones? Simply put your hormones, your stress levels and how much sleep you\u2019re getting are all contributing to stubborn belly fat after having a baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s something that not a lot of moms we speak to are aware of, so we’ve put together a comprehensive article to answer some of your most frequently asked questions\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The role of hormones in postpartum weight loss<\/a> and hormonal belly after pregnancy is not exactly straightforward. Hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy can influence various physiological processes, including metabolism, appetite regulation, and fat storage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s important to note that individual responses to these hormonal changes can vary, and the extent of their impact on postpartum weight loss may differ among women. Also, it\u2019s worth pointing out that studies into\u00a0 the role of hormones in our bodies and how much they’re impacted by the process of birth show that there\u2019s a lot we still don\u2019t know.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hormonal changes alone cannot solely explain postpartum weight loss or gain. Factors like diet, baseline physical activity levels, sleep (and lack of it), stress levels, and your overall metabolism contribute significantly. Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, exercise, balancing rest and care, are all equally crucial components for healthy postpartum weight management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For some women, pregnancy and postpartum can bring up symptoms which might lead to a diagnosis of an underlying thyroid issue. In that case, hormones may be a bigger factor in losing weight after pregnancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like so much in our culture, tips for hormonal health often come packaged as supposedly easy solutions. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not the case. For most of us, just one supplement or super juice is not going to be the magic trick to a smooth hormonal transition and rebalancing after birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your body will undergo some hormonal shifts all on its own in the weeks and months after giving birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also some iffy stuff on the market around weight loss and hormonal supplements. Make sure to really vet where you get your information and that what you decide to take (herbs, supplements, etc.) are safe for pregnant, postpartum, and nursing parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not hours on the treadmill, or whether your sweet treats are organic or not. Hormones and weight loss are connected. The sugar in our diet (and remember this isn’t just the obvious sugar, but all refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta or processed foods as well) increases the insulin<\/strong> in our body, and it is insulin which makes us more likely to store fat, not burn it. The effect of hormones on weight loss and how insulin affects body fat storage is explained here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another important hormone in fat storage, and particularly on fat storage around your waist, is the hormone Cortisol. Cortisol decreases muscle mass and encourages belly fat storage.<\/em><\/strong> Not good then. It is caused by\u2026 STRESS!! Not just emotional, or mental stress (something many mums deal with on a constant and daily basis) but also physical, or body stress. Our bodies become stressed when we give then too much sugar or caffeine, when we’re not taking care of ourselves, or we don’t get enough sleep. All these factors will increase cortisol levels, and therefore, tummy fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lack of sleep is a big factor affecting cortisol levels and unbalancing our hormones and weight loss efforts. The less sleep you have, and the later you go to sleep, the higher your levels of cortisol in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So for every mum chasing her tail trying to do it all, be it all and have it all, surviving on a few hours sleep a night and constantly stressing about everything and everybody else\u2026 (that’ll be most of us then)\u2026 we have some work to do if we’re going to get these hormones back in balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know<\/em> the sleep part often can’t be helped. That’s just the reality of parenthood. And the stress part isn’t always contain-able. But there are<\/em> lifestyle changes, as well as diet and exercise changes<\/em><\/strong>, that we can make, which will have a dramatic<\/strong> effect on our body’s predisposition to hang onto fat around the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s some ways you can start to re-balance your hormones, within the confines of being mom<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s Food, as in MUTU Food. Not Calories or ‘Diet’<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exercise can have a positive impact on hormonal changes and hormonal imbalance during the postpartum period. It promotes the release of endorphins, aids in cortisol regulation, and supports insulin sensitivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By incorporating regular physical activity into your routine, you can help your digestion stay regular and manage your stress more effectively, which both help keep your hormones balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Engaging in physical activity can boost your overall energy levels. It may seem counterintuitive, (especially when you’re sleep-deprived from a newborn sleep schedule) but exercise has been shown to increase energy levels and reduce fatigue. By incorporating moderate-intensity exercises like strength training or low-impact cardio, you can experience an energy boost that helps you navigate the demands of motherhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Come join the MUTU mamas community where you can safely chat about the rollercoaster of postpartum hormones, your weight loss journey, and so much more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What do hormones have to do with weight loss for moms? Eat less, move more, and you\u2019ll lose your baby weight. Hmmm. It\u2019s missing something. \u2018Calories in, calories out\u2019 are not the only factor in determining weight gain and fat loss, especially fat loss from around your waistline. We posted recently on how increasing your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"blog-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-weight-loss"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHormonal weight gain after pregnancy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are the key hormones involved in postpartum weight loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hormonal belly: Are my hormones why I can\u2019t lose weight after birth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How can I reset my hormones after pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hormones and weight loss – the balance determines how much fat you store<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lack of sleep: the impact on hormones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hormone balancing food: natural ways to rebalance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hormone balancing exercise: postpartum fat burning and reducing fat storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hormone balancing your lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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