Getting back into your usual fitness regime after giving birth is rarely as simple as it may seem. Your body has been through a number of major changes, and it may not work in exactly the same way as it once did. That’s why it’s important to ease back into exercise post-pregnancy if you want to avoid fatigue and injury.
Here are some tips to help you do just that:
Don’t Feel Guilty
The most important thing you can do to help you ease back into exercise and get rid of that mom pooch is to give yourself permission to exercise. So many women feel guilty about taking time out for themselves when they have a new baby, that they never really get started, and quite often their weight continues to climb. Remind yourself that taking care of your health will help you take proper care of your baby too.
Start Slow
General medical advice dictates that women should not return to exercise at least until they have stopped bleeding, and ideally, they should take it very easy for approximately six weeks after pregnancy if they’ve had a cesarean. If you try to do too much too soon, you could actually push back your body’s recovery and cause yourself further injury, making it even more difficult to get back into exercise.
Keep the Pressure Off Your Pelvic Floor
Your pelvic floor muscles have taken a real beating, so you should try to avoid doing any exercise that might cause further trauma to the area too early. Things like running, jumping and even some kinds of yoga, can all put a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor, and that’s the last thing you need.
In the first six weeks or so, you should concentrate on walking, doing squats and clams, all of which will have a low impact on your body and in the latter two’s case, will help to strengthen your pelvic muscles.
Invest in a Jogging Stroller
Investing in this fabulous piece of jogging equipment is a great way to get back into exercise.You can use it in the early days after pregnancy to take baby on gentle walks around the block, and then, when you’re a bit more able, you can start to go on jogs and runs without having to worry about finding someone to watch the baby, who will love being out and about with you.
Eat a Healthy Diet
If you’re finding it hard to get back into exercise because you feel so tired all of the time, one thing that will help to give you more energy is eating a healthy diet high in vitamins and minerals. Things like oily fish, leafy greens, whole grains and seasonal fruits will help to support your immune system and repair your body so that even if you have been up half the night with a crying baby, you won’t feel totally zombified.
If you find it too hard to exercise, don’t be hard on yourself. Do what you can when you can, even if you only spend a couple of minutes a day on pelvic floor exercises, and eventually, you’ll get to where you need to be.
