Exercising After Childbirth Tips

by

Kelly McBride

After the long journey of pregnancy and perhaps (what seemed to be) a never ending labor and delivery, you might feel as if youv\’e been through a marathon. Youre most likely exhausted and your body aches all over. As you look down at your poor battered belly, you might promise yourself \”today is the day I\’ll start exercising\”. But taking care of your new baby and countless other mommy obligations are time consuming.

Soon after my first child was born, I found myself stuck in the rut of waking up day after day and saying that I\’d take time out for myself and try to exercise my pooch away. I knew exercise would make me feel better about myself, improve my mood, self-esteem and get me closer to fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothes. But I also knew that my body was not ready for a strenuous fitness routine immediately following the birth. I beat myself up everyday that I didnt achieve my goal.

In the end, I waited several months postpartum and it took me much longer than expected to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape. When I became pregnant with my second child, I didnt want to make the same mistake so I educated myself about postpartum fitness. I recognize exercise to be an important component to overall well-being, but I wanted to know how I could get started as soon as possible. This is when I happened upon \”incremental exercise\”. I didnt have time for 1 hr of daily-uninterrupted exercise but I could sneak in 3- 20-minute chucks of time throughout my day.

Incremental exercise seemed to be the best option for me. It is just as effective and most importantly; it helps establish a consistent daily exercise routine. Now that I solved the problem regarding how to integrate exercise into a busy schedule, I wanted to know what exercises would efficiently target the areas moms struggle with most.

You can begin to strengthen your tummy muscles within 12 hours of giving birth* and you can perform these particular gentle exercises without even getting out of bed, which is important during the first few weeks after delivery. Try the following body conditioning and toning exercises for 20 minutes a day at first, then work your way up to 3-20 minute chunks of time. They will be safe for you, and your body will thank you down the road. The sooner you start, the sooner your body will respond with firm, toned muscles, especially your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.

NOTE: If your physician says not to exercise for six weeks or more after delivery, show him or her this list of exercises you want to do. Do not just ask to \”exercise\” — be specific. These exercises are so gentle and safe, your doctor will probably approve of them. If, however, your physician feels even the following exercises are inappropriate for you just yet, of course, follow their advice.

Kelly Mcbride She specializes in losing weight after childbirth for new and expecting moms as well as mommy and me classes. She is a Master Pilates Instructor of Prenatal & Postpartum Pilates & Pelvic Floor Pilates Rehabilitation Specialist as well as being a specialist in fitness

maternity programs

and does

mommy and me

classes.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com