Brief Answer: C-section belly fat Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX Thanks for contacting Ayurveda with your health concern and being an Ayurveda Physician, I've gone through your concern and would like to deal with best possible Management. 1. because at the time of pregnancy, there is great pressure on pelvic floor as well as abdominal muscles, which is increased in cases of C-section, thus there is/are no short cuts/secrets but hard work. 2. since you are exercising from last couple of months, it is assumed that there is proper healing of your body and there is/are no complications. 3. since Diet and Exercise goes hand in hand in cases of C-section thus focus on two things; . quality and not quantity of food. . do not do sit-ups, curl ups, or crunches, these can separate your abdominal muscles. [or after your doctor gives you approval] Dietary and lifestyle Changes 1. There is a limit to how much one can exercise every day. An average (non athlete) person cannot run or exercise vigorously for more than 30 minutes i.e. you cannot burn more than 300 calories through EXERCISE everyday! So it is important to control the tongue, along with whatever exercise you do: ½ hour of walking burn 130 calories ½ hour of jogging/running burn 300-350 calories ½ hour of swimming burn 250 calories ½ hour of cycling burn 150 calories ½ hour of aerobic exercise burn 250 calories ½ hour of light exercise like writing/driving burn 50 calories i.e. if you don’t exercise you consume about 2000-2500 calories per day. To this you Add any of the above exercise protocol to consume more calories, and keep your calorie consumption below 2000 per day and you will be losing weight 2. Tips on Eating: Starvation is not the right way to loose weight. Take the right type of diet and eat heartily: AVOID: .sedentary lifestyle, day time sleeping after meals, newly harvested rice, curd, butter, ghee, cheese, cream, chocolates, cakes, pastries, ice-creams, XXXXXXX . oils should be reduced to minimum, avoid deep fried foods like puries,bhujees, potato chips. .avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, yam, nuts, fruits with sweet pulp like mango, chickoos, bananas and grapes. . Avoid processed and tinned foods, opt for fresh foods . Drinking cold water after exercise. . Eliminate all cold food and drink; you should eat nothing that is refrigerator cold. WHAT TO EAT: .start the meal with large bowl of thin soup, followed by good volume of salads prepared with green vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumber, sprouted pulses). This will prevent you from taking extra servings of the meals. Drink plenty of water and diluted buttermilk. .Avoid rice, take roti or phulka,without oil or ghee.The bhaji servings should be prepared from green leafy vegetables,onions,cauliflower’s,lady’s finger,radish, turnips, mushrooms, sprouted pulses. Oil may be substituted by gravy of tomato, onion, garlic, and ginger, in the curry or bhaji for taste. . For morning and evening snacks, take recommended fruits, vegetables and low fat (skimmed) milk, black tea without sugar has negligible calories. . Carbohydrates: fat requires carbohydrates to burn, so take them in moderation like grains. 2. DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS: . Do not eat only 2 large meals a day. It leads to overeating due to hunger. Take snacks in between. It is advisable to eat a good breakfast and light lunch and dinner. . Keep a quiet and pleasant atmosphere in the dining hall. Watching TV while eating, talking, arguments, angry discussions all lead to overeating. . Eat slowly; chewing each bite thoroughly gives a feeling of satiation. . Do not be tempted to finish up the leftovers. . Use nonstick cooking ware for cooking POST NATAL EXERCISES: to strengthen and tone inner and outer thigh muscles, abdominal muscles and pelvic muscles i. Pelvic Floor Exercise . Pelvic floor tensing: tense and relax your anal muscles [as if trying to hold stool back] and vulval muscles [as if trying stopping urinating midflow] 30-50 times . Pelvic lift: lie supine, bend the knees, drawing the feet to the buttocks. Lift the pelvis- constricting your anus, then lower your pelvis slowly and relax the anus. ii. Bent knee leg raising: lie on the back, raise one leg with knee bent, then lower it. Then the other leg. Repeat 10-2- times. After 1 month, raise the leg with straight knee iii. Scissors kicks: lie on the back. Lift your legs in air and do scissors kicks in the air- as if pedaling a bicycle. iv. Bent knee sit ups: lie supine with knees bent. raise the head with hands behind the head for support, then lower. After some practice, do sit ups with arms by the side. P.S.: 1. Ayurveda though is a slower process, but in case of weight loss: haste makes waste, so one has to be gradual in his approach. 2. It is wise to take vitamin and mineral supplementation during this period, to ensure that your body does not lack any nutrients MEDICATIONS 1. Some Ayurveda compounds which are prescribed for weight reduction include: Triphala,Arogya vardhini Vati,,Chandraprabha Vati,Triphala Guggulu and since these are prescription drugs you should contact with your Local Ayurveda Physician regarding their dosage. Do revert back for any clarifications Dr. Munish Sood Consultant & Physician Naimittika

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