Putting on the weight was as easy as pie, lots and lots of pie. But taking it off after the baby arrives? Madeline shares some of the secrets that helped bring her back to size after the birth of her sweet baby girl…

Exactly 14 months after the birth of my baby, I have lost a grand total of 18kg (39.6 lbs) of the 23kg (50.6 lbs) I had gained during my pregnancy. I had only lost 4kg (8.8 lbs) right after birth and had looked like I was having baby number two!

So it was no surprise that when people see me nowadays, they always ask, “Have you lost weight? Share with me your weight loss secrets!”

These are the secrets to my success, which must be taken with a pinch of salt as I have no idea if they are medically proven or not.

Breastfeeding
My baby started nursing right after she was born and needed to be nursed every one to two hours for approximately 12 times a day at about 120ml (4oz) of milk each time. That is 1440ml of milk a day, 43200ml of milk a month. My body needs approximately 500 more calories everyday to meet her requirements! Plus, breastfeeding shrinks your uterus more rapidly so your tummy will feel flatter faster.

As long as you don’t over-compensate by eating unhealthy food with high-calories in excess, you should lose the weight over time. I lost the initial 10kg without even exercising! Worked out just great for me.

Postnatal Massage
Originating from Indonesia, postnatal massages have been touted as an effective method of reducing postnatal pains, breast engorgement and even help with weight loss. After receiving a recommendation from a friend of the hubby, I engaged a masseuse from Origins Jamu Massage, which was founded by a Singaporean mother of two girls.

My masseuse was a Malay lady by the name of Zue, who has four kids herself, so she could relate to me. She was very patient and could apply wicked pressure on my body despite her small frame. I could literally feel my cellulite being kneaded away! She would also rub your tummy with a special concoction of ginger and other herbs as well as wrap it tightly with an Indonesian cloth binder, which I had to wear for at least six hours.

I lost about 5-6 kg (11-13.2 lbs), which was mostly from water retention and shrinking of the uterus, after just seven sessions!

Workout Footwear
Fitflop, which is the brainchild of Marcia Kilgore, is my go-to footwear for everyday. I am a huge fan of products with dual-functions, so imagine my immense delight when I found out that a pair of shoes could help you to exercise while you walk. I was sold!

On top of working your butt and leg muscles, they are also extraordinarily comfortable. My feet no longer hurt from walking, which in turn encourages you to walk on and on. Window shopping for me has now become a workout. Perfect! Words cannot express how much I love my Walkstar.

And no, they did not pay me to say this, although they totally should… pay me in Fitflops that is!

Swimming
If like me, you gave birth naturally, then technically you would be able to start exercising right away, just like Gisele Bundchen did.

You could, but I certainly did not, what with learning to take care of a baby and all. And I hate jogging.

So I turned to what I loved most, swimming! You can get a great workout without feeling the stickiness you’d normally feel after an hour at the gym. I can swim many laps and not feel tired. Perfect for me!

And you should always do what’s perfect for you. If it’s yoga, do it. If it’s climbing Mount Everest, do that. If doing what you love is incorporated into your exercise regime, you will definitely keep at it and lose weight in due time.

Lifting Weights
And by weights, I really mean my 10.5kg (23 lbs) baby girl.

In the past when she was less than six months old, the only way she could sleep was by me rocking her up and down in my arms, which meant that I would get a workout on my tummy, thigh and arms.

Nowadays, as she is learning to walk, we have to walk with her everywhere as she can’t do it on her own yet. That means that I have to hold her hands with a perpetual bent back while supporting her as she ‘walks’.

Occasionally I lift actual gym weights and do actual crunches, but most of the time my workouts comprise of me running after my increasingly active toddler, taking her to playgrounds and helping her to climb up and down.

And there you have it! I still have more weight to lose, so let’s work at achieving our goals together!

– Madeline, MadPsychMum at The University of Motherhood