The experience of abortion varies from woman to woman. For some, it may bring relief; for others, it might start a highly saddening life episode. Whatever may be the case, abortions bring with them a wide variety of emotions and bodily changes. These bags of sudden changes are challenging to cope with. Women face incomparable levels of difficulty in managing stress, additional pressures from near and dear ones, and societal stigmas. Sometimes, they self-sabotage and fall into the pit of shame, guilt, and regret.
All these physiological responses of the body and mind can be traced back to the hormonal changes in the body as well as other contextual factors like the woman's thought process behind the abortion, the social support that she has in life, and the environmental factors that add to the levels of stress.
Induced abortions are intentional ones. There may be various factors like the mother's choice, unhelpful environmental conditions, unhealthy fetuses, etc. Natural abortions or spontaneous abortions are commonly called miscarriages. Miscarriages are very emotionally painful for women who want to become mothers. There are many other things you need to know about abortion risks.
Hormonal Weight Gain After Abortion
Apart from the various emotional responses, women also experience various bodily changes like fuller breasts, sensitive nipples, swelling of legs, as well as an overall increase in body weight. It is important to remember that this weight gain due to pregnancy or abortion is entirely average. It is a valid and healthy response from your body. Hence, there is no need to push yourself to lose weight. There is no need to judge yourself for a normal reaction of your body.
It is quite natural for the body to undergo various changes after an abortion, just like the body changes and develops the chances of getting hives after pregnancy. Similarly, the body responds in its own way even after an abortion.
Some sources also say that hormonal weight gain after abortion may make women more vulnerable to eating disorders of anorexia and bulimia. Some women fall victim to eating disorders because they need to lose weight to become more attractive. They associate the idea of being beautiful with another chance of getting pregnant. On the other hand, some other women, because of feelings of shame, guilt, and regret, punish themselves with eating disorders. It is a vicious cycle of unhealthy living and eating habits tied in with negative emotions.
Seek help, if required
If you know anyone who may be going through the same struggle, offer them compassion and support. Listen to them without judgment, and encourage them to seek professional help. If they seem apprehensive about reaching out to receive professional service, you may help them join a support group that matches their needs and demands. Know that you are not alone in your struggle and your journey. Various professionals offer pro bono services, and all you need to do is reach out! However, if you are somebody who has had an abortion and is trying to find ways to lose weight healthily, read ahead!
Methods of Losing Weight Fast After Abortion
Here are some of the best and most effective ways to quickly lose weight after abortion:
1. Eat Healthily
The most important thing to remember when trying to lose weight is to eat healthily. Eating healthy means eating more nutritious food like fruits, green vegetables, and protein-rich foods that give you all the vitamins. Remember that after an abortion, your body receives a shock. It is still trying to process the removal of the fetus, which is why it takes time to return to the before-pregnancy shape and size. When your body is healing, it deserves all the nutrients to return to its old state as soon as possible. This is why it is recommended to eat nutrient-rich food after an abortion.
2. Don’t Skip Meals
Another mistake most of us make while trying to lose weight is skipping meals. We usually think that we won't get fat if we don’t eat. Well, your body does not work like that. Your body needs the energy to complete its metabolic, muscular, cognitive, and other functions and activities.
The food that you eat supplies energy to your body. If you skip meals, your body starts changing the carbohydrate of your body into fat to gain the power to fulfill its daily functions. It works in the reverse way of our beliefs. Hence, you usually need to eat and move around or go about your day. Most nutrition experts suggest eating something every two hours to stay healthy.
3. Hydrate
One of the most essential and taken-for-granted actions the internet describes as a “life hack” is drinking water! Adult human needs at least 8 glasses of water daily to save themselves from dehydration. There are many benefits of drinking water. It washes out the toxins from your body, helps maintain the physiological balance of your metabolic environment, and has a lot of benefits for beauty too! For instance, it will add a healthy glow to your skin, prevent breakouts, and make it look supple and smooth. All the more scores for attractiveness and feeling good! Did you know that hydration is also essential to keep your brain healthy? If you engage in mentally strenuous tasks or find yourself chronically stressed, then you must start drinking more water. Hence, hydration would bring positive emotions to your life, thus reversing the negative emotional impact after the experience of abortion.
Methods of Losing Weight Fast After Abortion
4. Exercise
One cannot stress enough the importance of exercising. It brings positive changes to both your body and mind. The release of endorphins after a good exercise session will keep your head happy, and the positive impact of moving your body will help you lose weight. Remember that when trying to teach an exercise routine, you can avoid jumping the gun; you may choose to start small.
Start with ten minutes of walking, stretching, running, or dancing, and with time, keep increasing the time duration. Consistency is the key. Any form of exercise, including yoga, will prove beneficial if you do it regularly and consistently.
5. Seek Professional Help
You should always seek professional help, whether it's for eye twitching during pregnancy or after an abortion. This may sound unhelpful to many people, but try it before discarding it. You may seek out professional health experts with experience, like nutritionists, dieticians, and trainers, who will help you by curating a specific diet plan and an exercise routine perfectly suitable to your individual needs.
6. Stay Gentle and Kind
Throughout your journey of losing weight, stay gentle and kind to your body and mind. The numbers on the scale do not mean anything. Know that your body has supported you all these years, and it shall stay with you forever. Do not forget that all bodily changes including hormonal weight gain after abortion are normal and okay. There is no need to rush through the process. Healing is not linear; this journey will take time, but you will soon meet your healthiest and fittest self. Never forget that slow and steady wins the race! (Here, your competition is only you).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How long does your stomach stay bloated after an abortion?
A. Bloating may go away in 3 to 5 days.
Q. How long does it take for hormones to drop after abortion?
A. It generally drops by 35-40% in 2 days and 60-80% in 7 days.
Q. What happens to my hormones after an abortion?
A. When you have an abortion, the natural hormonal changes that happen in your body during pregnancy are changed. Because of these changes, you might feel more emotional than usual. You may feel a wide range of emotions, from sadness, anger, and regret to relief or guilt.
Q. How many days after abortion can I exercise?
A. You should avoid exercising for at least 2 weeks. You may then ask your doctor about continuing your workout.
Q. What should I eat after recovering from an abortion?
A. Eat foods that are rich in iron, protein, and healthy fats.
