The birth of baby Harper Seven became for David and Victoria Beckham a real “gift of fate” and “a blessing from above” (these were the sublime words used by the happy parents in every second interview). Victoria dreamed of a daughter for more than ten years, however, when the little princess was born, Vicky did not glow with happiness at all. As you know, she had serious back problems, but even when the health situation improved, the young mother did not shine. In photographs from six months ago, she has circles under her eyes (in which there is universal sadness) and mournfully closed lips.
“Young mothers often come to me for advice,” says Dr Prager, a renowned London beautician. “Many people show photos of themselves before pregnancy, and I understand: in a year, girls age five years!” Let’s make a reservation right away: the doctor did not want to offend anyone with this statement, especially since such a phenomenon takes place. It is not for nothing that British cosmetologists have used the expression Mum Face - “mommy’s face”.
How can we explain such changes in our body? Julia Verezey, training director of Clarins in Russia, answered this question. “During pregnancy, significant changes occur in the body,” says Yulia. — The special “behavior” of hormones is to blame for everything. Their jumps often cause dullness, thinning and decreased elasticity of the skin, and increased sensitivity.”
The pregnancy hormone progesterone, as a rule, has a beneficial effect on appearance: thanks to it, many girls begin to literally shine. Then the situation changes: a lack of estrogens (female hormones) can lead to dryness, flaking and increased sensitivity of the skin. Fluctuations in hormones sometimes cause the opposite effect - the secretion of sebum increases, hence acne. Also, during pregnancy, pigment spots may appear on the face, which, as a rule, disappear after childbirth.
After the birth of a child, the situation is aggravated by lack of sleep and constant employment. A living example of this is the same Victoria Beckham, who literally changed her face. “I hardly sleep. Harper often wakes up at night and has to get up with her - just like all mothers. I don't have a crowd of nannies who would do this for me. I’m a working mother like most,” says Victoria.
If you are familiar with these problems, here are some tips on how to deal with them.
To eat or not to eat - that is the question
There is a myth that during pregnancy you need to eat for two. Many stars, by the way, do this. Jennifer Garner said when she was carrying her third child: “I have a terrible craving for all kinds of junk food, and I don’t deny myself it. For example, my kids have never seen Doritos. When I was eating them, the child asked: “Mom, what are these orange chips in your hands?” And I couldn't stop! Of course, I would like to be a slender pregnant lady in skinny jeans, but it’s not fate - I eat too much.”
Scientific research proves that during pregnancy you should not expand your daily menu.
“The additional energy requirement of a pregnant woman is 300 calories per day,” says Tatyana Zaletova, nutritionist at the GrinDin project. “However, usually during pregnancy the level of physical activity decreases, and thus the difference in energy intake is compensated. This is why an increase in caloric intake is not required. However, if before pregnancy your body weight was higher or lower than normal, then adjustments should be made to your diet - and neither a sharp restriction nor a sharp increase in the diet is recommended.”
What to eat?
When Beyoncé was pregnant, it was rumored that she would eat everything that wasn't nailed down - and even in shocking combinations. For example, ice cream with ketchup, and bananas with pickles and hot sauce. "It is not true! — the girl justified herself on MTV. “Recently, a steward came up to me on a plane and said: “We have specially prepared bananas with chili sauce for you.” I told him: why?! And he, as if nothing had happened: “I read that you love it.”
If you also have strange gastronomic preferences, it makes sense to limit them or... act like Adriana Lima. She wanted ice cream throughout her first pregnancy, but the model found a way out: she replaced it with frozen yogurt. Just as tasty, but less caloric.
Here is a list of products that are really needed during this period:
- In the third trimester of pregnancy, the need for fatty acids necessary for the development of the fetal nervous system increases. They are found in fish, liver, egg yolk, soybean and rapeseed oils.
- A pregnant woman needs twice as much folic acid, which is found in spinach, parsley and dill, whole grains, nuts, peas and other legumes.
- Increase your consumption of milk and dairy products - they help replenish calcium deficiency.
- Eat foods high in zinc: meat, liver, kidneys, cereals, cabbage, asparagus, radishes.
While breastfeeding
Tatyana Zaletova advises sticking to a separate, balanced diet. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself too much: by doing so, you can deprive the baby of many of the vitamins and microelements he needs, and at the same time undermine his own health, because, trying to create milk that is “ideal” in composition, the body will use all the mother’s resources. Nevertheless, it is still worth introducing reasonable restrictions: it is better to keep sweets and flour to a minimum.
I am grateful to my parents for good genes. I never had problems with being overweight before pregnancy. I want to share my method of reducing body weight.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been thin. My friends were on different diets every now and then, but I could eat whatever I wanted. But there came a time in my life when I began to think before I eat something. Before giving birth, I weighed 55 kg, with a height of 168 cm, and on the last day before the baby was born, my scales showed 70 kg. I didn’t gain anything in the first trimester, but then the weight increased more and more.
First month after birth
It was easiest to say goodbye to extra pounds during this period. For the first time in days I didn’t feel like eating anything, and so the scale showed 64 kg. The following weeks were difficult physically and mentally, which also affected my body. In addition, I was breastfeeding and therefore had to adhere to a certain diet. It was based on light food, excluding spicy, fried, and smoked foods. I did not consume baked goods, as they increased the child’s stomach bloating. The result of the first month is minus 8 kg.
Second month
This period was already calmer. All postpartum wounds have healed, I have gotten used to a new way of life. Therefore, the weight did not decrease on its own. I continued to go on a diet, but gradually introduced foods necessary for the child into the diet. Considering that I can’t severely restrict myself in nutrition, I started giving my body physical activity. At first it was exercise every day for 20 minutes. I didn’t always do it in the morning, but when it worked out. After several weeks, I intensified the exercises, added loads on the abs and legs. We also had to walk outside for 1.5-2 hours so that the child could breathe fresh air and get vitamin D. These walks were beneficial for both of us. I would especially like to highlight my gratitude to our Housing Office. Due to the fact that the elevator often broke down and there was no one to repair it, more than once I had to get from the fourth floor to the first floor and vice versa on my own. During this exercise, the load is placed on the arms and legs, which is doubly useful. At the end of the second month the scales showed 58 kg.
Third month
This period was not particularly different from the previous one. I tried to eat the most healthy food. The basis of the menu consisted of cereals, boiled meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. As before, it was still impossible to adhere to a strict diet. Therefore, I continued to do home fitness. Most often, I could allocate 30-40 minutes for training. I did different exercises, because if you do the same ones, this process quickly gets boring. One day I saw a hoop in a store and decided that it would help me. At first I played it every day for 20 minutes, then less and less. For the first time, my sides hurt a lot, and large bruises appeared. After a few weeks I abandoned it and never thought about it again. Naturally, in such a short period of using the circle, no results were visible. I also had weights in my arsenal. Hand exercises were easy for me, so I did them with pleasure. I started using 1 kg weights, then switched to 2 kg. The result of this month is minus 2 kg.
Fourth month
At the very beginning of the path to my previous shape, I set a goal to lose all the extra pounds by the New Year (I gave birth to my baby at the end of August). In three months, I almost reached my goal. But the last 1 kg did not want to say goodbye to me. In December, I continued to lead my previous lifestyle. I did exercises, often walked outside with the baby, and tried to eat right. Therefore, at the end of the month I saw the long-awaited value of 55 kg on the scales.
The main thing is to set yourself a goal and slowly but surely move towards it.
Natalya Valerievna, Kherson (Ukraine)
Beauty salon for pregnant women
In order not to guess which salon procedures are useful during pregnancy and which are not, use the advice of Yulia Verezey:
- You can make moisturizing face masks with hyaluronic acid and plant extracts to restore dry, tight skin and return it to a feeling of comfort.
- Chemical peels and laser resurfacing are not recommended. Attending hardware procedures and anti-cellulite massages is strictly prohibited.
- All thermal (including saunas and steam baths), as well as “cooling” procedures are contraindicated for pregnant women.
When it comes to choosing cosmetics, it is better to choose hypoallergenic products. Among the favorites of the stars is the Weleda
. Jessica Alba used this brand of oil both after her first and second pregnancies. Demi Moore and Helena Christensen also adore these natural Swiss cosmetics.
Another brand dearly loved by many heroines of gossip columns is Clarins
. All body care products from this brand can be safely used by pregnant women. Our favorites are the Gommage Exfoliant Peau Neuve softening body cream with bamboo powder and Tonic body oil with rosemary, mint and hazelnut oil. The first gently exfoliates, while the second nourishes the skin and increases its firmness and elasticity. The oil can be applied directly in the shower to damp skin - it is perfectly absorbed and does not leave a greasy residue. For increased tone, we recommend another natural oil - Relax, which relaxes and gives a feeling of comfort.
Breasts during pregnancy need special support - in the most literal sense of the word. To avoid stretch marks, wear a special bra and remember to moisturize your skin regularly. It is better to start early, especially since after childbirth it will not be so convenient to do this due to feeding.
There is no need to rush into losing weight after childbirth. For example, the super popular model Arizona Muse, who began to thrive after the birth of her son, advises assessing your shape only after a year: “At this time, you should not chase your figure. Give your body a break from exercise, dieting and other nonsense. Breastfeed! I am all for feeding. I love this process."
Gymnastics for the back
Pregnancy has a big impact on your posture. Therefore, it is necessary to do gymnastics for the back. You need to start with the simplest.
Lie on the floor on your back and just relax. And you will feel the tension leaving your lower back. Very effective after childbirth!
Now let's stretch the spine. Lying on your back, clasp your knees with your hands and just lie there. Also, don’t forget about the “bridge” exercise.
Exercise "Bridge". Lie on your back, stretch your arms along your body. Bend your knees, lifting your lower body. Raise and lower your body down, pushing off with your legs and arms. Repeat 15 times. This exercise helps to engage all muscle groups.
Exercise "Cats/Dogs". Get on all fours, lift your chin as high as possible. Then arch your back up/down. Repeat 10 times. Exercise helps prevent back and lower back pain.
Don't lose face
On the contrary, you need to start taking care of your facial skin as early as possible. All the stars, without saying a word, claim that motherhood is a great happiness and it is worth enduring all the sleepless nights for the sake of their baby’s smile. However, not everyone will risk appearing in public with circles under their eyes, like Victoria Beckham. Each of them has a dozen products in their arsenal to relieve puffiness of the eyelids. They say that Hilary Duff uses patches under her eyes, and if they run out, she successfully replaces them with cucumber slices. The young mother is as fresh as the morning rose.
You can maintain a healthy complexion from the inside.
To amaze others with radiant skin, Tatyana Zaletova recommends drinking at least two liters of water a day and eating vegetable salads with unrefined vegetable oil every day, which contains valuable vitamin E. However, you should not consume more than one spoon of oil per day - in addition to the necessary substances also contain free radicals, which will definitely not bring any benefit to the skin. Milk, apples, citrus fruits, grapes, tomatoes and black currants are also useful - they contain alpha hydroxy acids that promote the formation of new cells. They are also worth looking for in cosmetics: masks and creams with AHA acids act directly on the skin and are therefore more effective.
What problems did you encounter during and after pregnancy? And how were they solved?
Beautiful body after childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth are a very important event in a woman’s life. As a rule, after childbirth, the figure changes. Excess weight, stretch marks, blurry figure. This state of the body can lead to depression. Therefore, you can’t let yourself go! In this article you will learn how you can get in shape (during natural childbirth). The first thing you need to do in the maternity hospital is to bandage your stomach with a towel. You won't be able to do this on your own. It's better to ask someone for help. The stomach is pulled tightly with a towel, the ends are tied into a knot on the back. It is advisable to periodically tie the towel so that you feel how tightly your body is pulled together. Do not remove the towel at night. After about a week, the internal organs will fall into place, and you will feel the need to bandage your abdomen.
Secondly, it is necessary to strengthen the abdominal muscles. Even in the maternity hospital, lying on the bed, on your back, raise your straight legs up, thereby straining your abdominal muscles. At first, five times a day will be enough. Gradually you need to increase the load. After about a month, start pumping up your abs. Twenty times will be enough. If desired, you can increase the load. As a rule, mothers are home alone with their baby. And to pump up your abs you need someone to hold your legs. But no problem! we slide our legs under the sofa and... pump up the abs))
Well, you've returned home :) And houses and walls help! While the baby is sleeping, you can take care of yourself. Don’t forget about the right cosmetics, I recommend Korean Holika Holika, it contains natural ingredients that will help you recover after pregnancy.
Try to create a daily routine in which you set aside time for yourself, for cleaning and walking. Walk with your stroller for at least an hour a day. This load saturates the body with oxygen, removes toxins, and the body becomes toned. And the baby sleeps sweetly during the walk.
Pregnancy has a big impact on your posture. Therefore, it is necessary to do gymnastics for the back. You need to start with the simplest.
Lie on the floor on your back and just relax. And you will feel the tension leaving your lower back. Very effective after childbirth!
Now let's stretch the spine. Lying on your back, clasp your knees with your hands and just lie there. Also, don’t forget about the “bridge” exercise.
The following exercise helps to remove extra pounds from the stomach and stretch the spine, as well as the muscles of the legs. Stand straight with your feet as wide as possible with your toes inward. The right hand touches the left elbow, the left hand touches the right elbow. We don't bend our knees. We lean forward as low as possible, alternately to the right and then to the left leg.
Now let's take care of the legs and buttocks. The most effective way here is squats, the so-called squats. Feet shoulder-width apart, hands in front of the chest, back straight. Squat deeply, as if you were sitting on a chair. Keep your back straight! It is very important. At first, fifteen times is enough. Then you can increase the load. In order not to pump your legs, you need to stretch. We sit down on a half-split, after some time you will get a full split.
During breastfeeding, you need to take care of the beauty of your breasts. To do this you need to follow some rules.
- Attach the baby to the breast. If you do the opposite, that is, apply the breast to the baby, the shape of the breast does not change for the better.
- Wear special underwear that will keep your bust from stretching. You need to follow this rule even if you are size 1.
- Do push-ups. To do this, you need to lean your straight arms on the sofa or the floor, your body straight. Bend and straighten your arms, keeping your body straight. For a woman, twelve times is enough.
A small child takes up a lot of time, but you need to find time for yourself.
Be sure to take a contrast shower daily. Use face and body creams. Do your hair and be sure to change clothes. Perhaps these recommendations will seem funny to some. But who doesn’t know, like young mothers, that sometimes you don’t even have time to comb your hair. And often after giving birth, a woman forgets about herself. Moms, following these rules is not so difficult. The main thing is to start! And you will look at your reflection in the mirror with a smile. And a woman who is satisfied with herself is always happy!
