Pregnancy is as unique as our thumbprint, and possibly even more nuanced. Everyone has a different journey, wellness level, and emotional, physical, and hormonal response that dictates the before, during, and post-pregnancy.
Actress Malika Haqq just had a beautiful baby boy, and her post-pregnancy glow is real. We all endeavor to be a reflection of total wellness after such a taxing event as childbirth, so we had to get the scoop on what she’s been up to.
Invest in your wellness before, during, and after.
Of course, Haqq has always put wellness first. “I was so grateful to be healthy during my pregnancy—it allowed me to still take care of myself. After pregnancy, my discipline increased, so I can actually say I take even better care of myself now.” The lesson? Start early. Don’t make huge changes just for the pregnancy, or decide you’ll start working out once you have a baby.
Let go of expectations and control.
“The one major adjustment for me was learning to let go of controlling whatever change my body needed to do and accepting the process.” Haqq advises us to let go of being the boss of every last detail, because there is only so much influence we have over our bodies once pregnancy is underway.
“After being cleared by the doctor to work out again, I was able to increase my workouts to three to four times per week. Cardio has definitely been essential to getting stubborn weight off. Fresh air is always helpful with putting a baby to sleep and also keeping mommy awake … walk, walk, walk!”
Hydrate to regulate a less indulgent diet.
“Breaking my pregnancy habit of eating whatever I crave, like high-sugar cereals in the middle of the night, has been my biggest struggle. I’ve adapted a bit of a new routine now. Before I have my coffee or tea, I get a head start on drinking water first thing in the morning. This has helped boost my hydration and digestion, keeping me balanced throughout the day.”
Adjust the skincare routine.
Pregnancy skincare is a lot more mellow, so missing out on super-active products can feel like an obstruction of progress. “Post-pregnancy skincare is a full-time job for me now. I am all for natural products, but not being able to practice some of my religious treatments, like retinal, during pregnancy has definitely set me back a couple of months … I’m still in the repairing stages! Dark circles and acne scars are areas I’m truly focusing on these days.”
Be patient and kind with yourself, especially in the first year.
“Overall, I’m eating cleaner than ever now, because I had almost a year of learning to eat well during pregnancy. I still have my treats here and there, because even non-pregnant Malika will always crave the good stuff! Postpartum can be very challenging; we have to be patient with ourselves, our bodies—as we are the givers of life. We spend nearly 10 months pregnant, and it’s OK to take 10 months to get back to the best you.”
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