Your pre-pregnancy body seems to be hiding somewhere. Your body has gone through a lot of changes over the last nine months. Now that your newborn has arrived and you are settling into a routine, it’s time to think about losing weight and getting back in shape.
Restoring your body to its pre-pregnancy shape will go faster if you exercise regularly. Even though exercise will not magically erase your stretch marks, it will help you return to the body you remember before your pregnancy.
Usually after mom gets comfortable in her new routine, she starts asking a few questions, like; How soon can I begin exercising? How long before I start to see my pre-pregnancy shape? What are some of the best exercises to help me get in shape and feel great?
If you’re like most new moms, you still have daily tasks to contend with. Having extra time on your hands to exercise isn’t going to be easy to find. This makes losing weight and getting fit difficult. A mistake to avoid is comparing yourself to those “celebrity moms” that you see on television. It appears they lose their postpartum weight overnight. Most likely the reason it appears that way is because they have personal trainers, nannies, and dietitians. Their day consists of getting in shape. They even have a chef on staff to provide them with their own designer-diet style meals.
One of the most critical factors in the ability to get back into pre-pregnancy shape quickly is how active and healthy you were before and during your pregnancy. Your physical and emotional health and well-being going into the delivery room has a lot to do with your ability to return to your healthy self. Remember the celebrity moms have been working with their personal trainers and dietitians long before they ever became pregnant.
Some days you just wanted to simply crawl back in bed, right? But, if you engaged in some kind of exercise during your pregnancy, you will lose weight and get in shape much more easily than if you didn’t crawl out of the bed. Pregnant women who skip exercise altogether will have a much more difficult time trying to get fit after delivery.
It is normally safe to start a postpartum exercise program six weeks after the birth of a baby. Your doctor will advise you on your particular schedule. Your doctor may say you are able to start a moderate exercise program shortly after your baby is born. Perhaps a stroll around the block every day will work for you. Work up slowly to more strenuous exercises in time with your doctor’s approval. In order to ensure your safety and reduce risks of complications, take it slow. Don’t exert yourself beyond what you and your doctor agree upon. You need time in order for your body to recover.
Having a new baby is an exhausting task. The simple act of exercising regularly will increase your energy and stamina when you need it most. As your energy increases, you’ll be able to exercise more. Soon, you’ll be seeing the weight come off and feeling better, too.
Tina Titas is a columnist for FunExerciseVideos.com. For the latest trends in pregnancy fitness, visit us and you’ll find pregnancy workout videos at a great price. Have fun while you get fit – what a great idea!