By : Juhi Bansal
Ever since I posted the following articles on CB, I’ve received so many requests to do a post on “how I lost my pregnancy weight” it’s not even funny! As much as I would like to say it just happened, I know that’s anything but true. I did have to work hard towards it. However, that also doesn’t mean that I went crazy with the workout etc. For it to be sustainable, it has to become a part of your routine amongst other things.
Here are a few things that helped me lose all those kilos I piled up during pregnancy and the first 6 months after I delivered.
Also Read: Motherhood and the Weight Monster
Portion control is highly under-rated!
I know people who have amazing self control and will go without eating their favourite fattening food for months together. Then there is the other end of the spectrum who binge eat almost every other day and then feel guilty later. I have the perfect middle ground for you. Control how much you eat rather than what you eat and you can practically eat everything. Ofcourse, cutting evils like packaged food, soda, fruit juices, refined flour, sugar, salt etc altogether is probably the best but don’t fret if you can’t.
Eg: if you took pride in eating a 12 inch pizza all by yourself you have two options. Cutting it out completely from your meals for the next few months or stopping after the first slice. It’s difficult the first time around but you can do it! Do it with pakodas, samosas, cakes (sometimes you will have to make do with just one bite) and the like. This basically helps you curb your cravings so that if you were to fall off the wagon ever, you don’t end up going on a food rampage.
Buffet vs A-la-carte
I know this is tricky. Most people will say go for A-la-carte since you eat lesser in that, I for one, prefer a buffet spread. Here’s my rationale. I would rather eat a little of everything than everything of one or two dishes. So, I take a couple of bites of the muffin, have an egg sunny side up, 3 tea spoonfuls of poha, half an idli, a cup of coffee, you get the idea right? Also, I always prefer a breakfast buffet to lunch or dinner.
Breakfast like a king?
Lets face it, the days of kingdom and royalty are far over and you and I cannot burn all those calories if we did eat like a king. Have a hearty breakfast (poha or a sandwich or an omelette with milk) but it doesn’t need to be heavy that you feel full the entire day. Its better to have a second mid morning break with a fruit and coconut water.
Switching to healthier cooking options.
Once you’ve got the size of your helpings under control you should start working on low calorie version of your favourite dishes. Some of my favourites are:
- Pav Bhaji: No butter, no oil, no potato bhaji (include veggies like cabbage, gourd, cauliflower etc) with lightly toasted wheat bread. I love it so much that I cannot have the regular bhaji now.
- No-oil dal chillas
- Whole wheat burgers with veggie/roast chicken patty (no cheese)
- No-oil Dosas with veggie filling (no potato)
- Puffed rice with veggies and green chutney
- Pasta in red sauce with lots of veggies. (Aglio Olio Pasta is not as healthy as it is made out to be)
Keep the following things in mind when you do the above:
- These may be low calorie versions but that doesn’t mean you can eat MORE. Stick to your toned down portions.
- Invest in a good non-stick pan. Also, keep buying new ones as and when the Teflon coat wears off. Nothing makes a good “no oil chilla” like a new non-stick pan 🙂
- I like spicier food and that’s why the above work for me. If you would like sweet versions, stick to unrefined brown sugar. Also, try and add pomegranate seeds for a slight sweetness in the above recipes. You can make some fun smoothies with your favourite fruits and yogurt too.
Load up before you step out!
And by this I mean the outings which are not for food. Like shopping or watching a movie or meeting a friend for coffee. We don’t realize how much these non-planned outings result in meals in-between meals and thus the unwanted kilos.
Count your calories for the week.
As much as I would like to say do not count your calories, I know that’s not true. You need to watch what you are eating and how much you are eating. However, rather than doing it on a daily basis, do it for the week so it’s easier for you to include a couple of calorie-heavy foods and still keep the balance.
While what you eat is 80% of your weight, we still have to nail the remaining 20% which calls for some form of workout. I always say this, include some kind of exercise in your routine for a toner and fitter body and also a fresher mind. Yoga and running are my favourite parts of the day only because I love every bit of how I feel after my sessions. Here are a few tips on how and why you should include running into your workout regime.
Hope you like my tips enough to incorporate them in your daily life. I am sure you’ll see results. I’ll be back with some smart shopping tips for a fitter you. Till then
Stay Gorgeous xx
Psst: Did you know you could buy/borrow all these outfits at extremely affordable prices. Just download the CB app here or write to us at juhi@closetbuddies.in
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