20/09/2026
💜 ACTIVE MUMS WITH FIT&NESS – THE BASICS 💜
Board 3 of 8: How Calories Work
Calories... what actually are they? 🤔
Put simply, a calorie is a measure of energy. Your body needs energy all day long — not just when you’re exercising, but for everything from breathing and keeping your heart beating to moving around and looking after your little one. 💜
As a general guide, the NHS says the average woman needs around 2,000 calories per day to maintain her weight — but this is only an average. Your individual needs can be different depending on things such as your body and how active you are.
So what is a calorie deficit?
It’s actually quite simple. If, over time, your body uses more energy than you take in through food and drink, that’s called a calorie deficit. Your body then uses some of its stored energy(and fat stores), which can result in weight loss.
But after having a baby, please don’t feel that you need to rush to lose weight. Your body is recovering, and the focus should be on nourishing yourself, gradually becoming active again and building sustainable habits — not drastic restriction.
🤱 If you’re breastfeeding, this is particularly important. You don’t need a special diet, but the NHS recommends eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet, drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough rest. If you want to lose weight while breastfeeding, speak to your health visitor, midwife or GP if you’re unsure what’s appropriate for you.
Remember — calories aren’t “good” or “bad”. They’re energy. 💜
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Find out more about the Active Mums postnatal journey, our classes and private at-home Personal Training at www.fitandness.co.uk
💜🧡💚 BE ACTIVE. STAY ACTIVE!
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