Hello everyone! And just like that, the year is gradually rolling to an end! Who woulda thunk it!!! It feels like we just started the year a few weeks ago and yet, here we are racing to the finish line for 2018. I am thankful to God for his mercies, kindness and protection. And I am thankful for YOU!

I got this message a few days ago and thought to use it as the health tip for today.

‘Good evening doctor. Thanks for all the wonderful health tips. I must say they impact positively on us. Please doc, can you teach us the pros and cons of ketogenic diet. Thanks as I await your lecture.’

In response to this question, I repeat a post I had made before on this subject. The link at the bottom is a useful resource for everyone who has questions on keto diet. Don’t fall for everything you hear! 😀

Q: Good evening Doctor, please is ketogenic diet safe for everyone. I am confused about the high fat about the diet. Please kindly help me understand the diet since I really want to lose weight after child birth.

A: The keto diet is mainly used to reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures in children. It has been used for weight loss and achieves results short-term, in some cases. The long-term effects and safety are not really clear. But some side effects have been documented. They include: some nutritional deficiency because you are not eating a wide range of foods, kidney problems because there is such a thing as, ‘too much of a good thing!’ and the kidney struggles to metabolize all the protein in the diet, liver problems due to the high fat content of keto meals that the liver has to process, constipation because the keto diet is low on complex carbs like grains, mood swings etc. The news is really not fantsatic 😦

So, if you want to lose weight after your baby, honestly, I’ve got no easy answers. It’s diet and exercise….oh and breastfeeding. But breastfeeding is not very helpful if one is not exercising and watching their portions. Again, the dictum of feeding for two here doesn’t also count.

The diet to focus on is the very same one we talk about all the time: fruits, veggies and complex carbs with focus on healthier cooking methods (less frying etc). Exercise should focus, initially on pelvic floor exercises especially if you’re leaking urine when you cough or laugh. To locate your pelvic floor muscles, try holding your urine when you feel pressed. If you are successful, then you have located the muscles you need. Then empty your bladder and lie on the floor. Contract those same muscles and hold the contraction for about 5 seconds and then relax it for about 5 seconds. Gradually build this up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds. Repeat this about 3 times a day. Once you no longer leak, you’re ready for your exercises.

Have you noticed how it is usually easier to lose the baby weight after your first baby and harder afterwards? 😀 Focus on building up your stamina gradually especially if you were not very active in pregnancy or before. Please remember to always contact your doctor before starting any vigorous exercise program. As you get into the groove, get down with your aerobics, strength training and sit-ups et al.

This is where breast feeding comes in, if you’re exercising and eating right, breastfeeding can help lose weight…as much as 300 calories per day. Does tying a wrapper tightly round your waist help flatten tummy? Honestly, I’ve heard people who swear by that technique. So, what I’ll say is, if it works for you, why not? Just don’t tie so tight as to stop blood flow 😀

How soon to start exercise after having a baby? Well, it depends on how active you were before and during pregnancy. If you were very active, you can start some light stretches as soon as you feel able. However, generally, we advise 6 – 8 weeks after birth to allow for a post-natal check to have been done. Again, start small and allow your body to get into the groove.

That’s it. And to learn more about the keto diet and side effects, click on the link below