Exercise after Pregnancy
Author: Angela Heidt
New moms are always eager to get back their bodies after their baby is born, so what is the best way to do it? For one, prior to 6 to 8 weeks post birth, you should do nothing more strenuous than a leisurely walk with the stroller. While you may be feeling fine, your body has gone through a radical transformation and needs time to heal first.
Once your doctor has given you the all-clear, you can do whatever you like, within limits. This is likely not the time to take up rock climbing or even cross country skiing if you weren't doing it before. Stick with exercises you are comfortable with or expand to good post-pregnancy routines like yoga or pilates. Make sure the instructor knows that you are a new mom so they don't push too hard.
At the same time, don't push yourself too hard either. While you were pregnant, your body was stretched and strained so you can't expect it to perform like it used to. You will probably have the most difficulty with abdominal exercises as this region of your body has suffered the most. If at any time an exercise feels uncomfortable, you should stop. The last thing you want to do is suffer an injury trying to get back in shape.
Once you can master the simple stuff like walking and beginner's yoga, if you feel comfortable, you can move on to more challenging exercises. Look for things that have a strength and cardio component so you can rebuild muscle mass and burn calories at the same time. Good exercises in this field include kickboxing, aerobics or circuit training.
Some moms have the tendency to become house bound after their child is born, try to overcome this by at least going for a walk once a day. This will give you a chance to clear your head and feel better about your body image, not to mention getting your little one some fresh air. Then plan some time for yourself a few times a week to hit the gym or the pool so you can improve even further.
