Immediately after having a baby is not the time to jump into a strenuous exercise regime. Your body has just been through an enormous change, and it’s important to respect that. It takes weeks, sometimes months, for your stretched skin and ligaments to bounce back. That said, there are some things you can do even in the early weeks to help ease your way back into a fitness program.
Proper Rest
How does resting help ease you into a fitness program? Resting aid in a quicker recovery. It will help you avoid a healing crisis, and in the long run you’ll be back on your feet faster and with more energy than if you pushed yourself too hard in the beginning.
Gentle Stretching
Carrying a baby, breastfeeding, and tension can create serious muscles stiffness, especially in the neck and shoulders. Stretching is a wonderful way to reduce stress, loosen muscles, and help you get in touch with your new body.
Try dropping your head to the right, holding for several seconds, and then dropping your head to the left. For moms who enjoy working out at home, many postpartum video workouts
include a section of gentle stretching appropriate for the early weeks.
Kegel Exercise
Contracting the muscles of your vaginal wall will help tone your pelvic floor muscles and can help prevent bladder control problems. You can start Kegel exercises as soon as the day after you’ve given birth.
The Tupler Technique
You’re probably anxious to get your stomach back in shape, but traditional abdominal exercises are still way too taxing, and will be for several weeks yet. Good news! You can begin the process of reshaping your waist by performing a simple and safe abdominal contraction. Sit with your back against the wall, place your hand on your tummy, suck your stomach in and hold for the count of ten. Do ten reps. For more information on this technique visit http://www.maternalfitness.com/
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Give it time girls! Just remember it took you nine months to put on all of that weight, it won’t all come back off in a few weeks. Also, if you can breast feed, do it. Not only is it great for the baby, your weight will come off much more easily than if you don’t. Don’t be afraid to eat while you are nursing. You need more extra calories than you did when you were pregnant! It actually took me about two years to get down within 5 pounds of my pre-pregancy weight, but it did happen. Be patient with yourself, but don’t let the baby be an excuse to let yourself go completely.