Game after losing weight after childbirth. Photo courtesy of Game

Thu, 28, currently works as a freelancer and has weighed more than 70 kg since she was young. Under peer pressure, she tried diet pills, tea and coffee, but experienced “reverse weight gain” once she stopped using them. Additionally, these extreme weight loss methods took a toll on her health, often leaving her feeling tired and dizzy.

Subsequently, Thhu tried the Keto diet to improve her figure and managed to lose 12 kg, but she quickly regained weight in a short time. In 2022, she decides to try this diet again.

The Keto diet focuses on eating fat and protein while limiting carbs, taking advantage of a backup system called ketosis, in which the liver uses fat for energy. This diet significantly restricts many food groups, including grains, fruits, starchy foods, many dairy products, and even some carbohydrate-containing nuts. People following this diet must consume large amounts of dairy products and fatty meats.

Although it can be effective in the short term, it often backfires when followed over the long term.

A month after her wedding, Thu knew she was pregnant, which put an end to her weight loss journey. Throughout her pregnancy, Thu explored various methods to prevent excessive weight gain. However, at 28 weeks, she had gained 20 kg. By the time labor began, she weighed 88 kg.

“I was hoping to only gain 10 to 12 kg during pregnancy so as not to lose shape, but in the end I gained 28 kg,” Thu said.

After giving birth, Thu naturally dropped to 78 kg, but looking at her body, now sagging with stretch marks and brown spots, she became discouraged and didn’t want to go out. She then decided to change herself to regain health and confidence.

Game after childbirth, at 78 kg. Photo courtesy of Game

After research, Thu realized that weight loss is a journey, so she chose to follow the Eat Clean diet to improve her weight while continuing to breastfeed without affecting her milk supply. This diet focuses on health, weight loss and maintaining a good figure by favoring natural foods.

The principles of the Eat Clean method encourage eating more whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and healthy fats. At the same time, he advises limiting fast food, processed foods, sweets and packaged items.

However, Thu didn’t completely cut out fried foods because her body still needed healthy fats for her metabolism. Instead, she chose to prepare these dishes with low-calorie olive oil and seasonings. Thu shared that thanks to this diet and exclusive breastfeeding of her child, she dropped to 48 kg six months after giving birth. Her height increased from 90 cm to 63 cm and her lower abdomen also became noticeably slimmer.

“I was busy taking care of my baby, so I didn’t have time to train,” Thu said. “I only exercise for daily household chores.”

She added that once her child grows up, she plans to find time to exercise to make her body more toned and firm.

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding, combined with a scientific approach to nutrition, a balanced diet and increased physical activity, helps not only mothers. lose belly fat quickly but also improve overall health without affecting milk production. In fact, many women have successfully applied this method. Clinical studies have shown that mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 to 18 months tend to see a reduction in waist and hip circumference and gain less weight than those who formula feed their babies.

Breastfeeding burns approximately 300 calories per day, depending on each individual’s body type. Additionally, breastfeeding stimulates uterine contractions, helping the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Experts advise that if mothers want to lose belly fat after childbirth, they should follow a healthy and balanced diet to ensure both their health and the quality of their baby’s breast milk. It’s important not to force yourself to consume a specific number of calories each day, as this depends on factors such as body weight and activity level. A balanced diet requires mothers to focus on all the foods they eat daily, while exercise can be tailored to individual needs and physical conditions.

If a mother is too busy caring for her baby, she can still stay active by climbing stairs, doing household chores, or pushing the stroller for a walk once the baby is over 6 months old. If she has more free time, activities like sit-ups, meditation, yoga, swimming, cycling, and walking are great options. These activities are not only beneficial for overall health but also help reduce belly fat after childbirth.

Game at 48 kg six months after giving birth. Photo courtesy of Game

Currently, with her child over a year old, Thu continues to follow this diet to stay healthy and avoid gaining weight. Instead of being too strict, she occasionally treats herself to a meal with friends, enjoying her favorite dishes. This “cheat day,” or break in the dieting process, commonly used by many, helps reduce cravings while relieving stress.

From her own experience, Thu advises others to stay persistent in their goals because everything takes time to change. She also mentions that the postpartum period is the golden period to regain your figure, but it is important to choose a scientific dietary approach to ensure both the health of the mother and the quality of breast milk for the baby.

“Everywhere I go, people compliment me saying ‘You look thin, but your baby is so healthy,’ which makes me feel like all my efforts are worth it,” Thu said .

She also shared that successfully losing weight not only boosted her self-confidence but also made her professional life smoother and brought more happiness to her family.