Post-Baby Fitness Tips*

Having a baby is one of the most emotional periods of your life. As well as adjusting to the fact that you now have a whole new little person to care for, you are also adjusting to the fact that your body looks and feels different. You are sore after childbirth, exhausted from lack of sleep and you can’t fit into your clothes overnight, as you had optimistically hoped.

This is a period that requires mass amounts of patience. It is possible to regain your pre-pregnancy figure and to even improve on it, no matter how hopeless that currently seems.

Our top three tips aim to inspire you and provide some clarity during this rather confusing period.

Recognise The Facts 

A fact to recognise is that this is going to be a lengthy process. You firstly need to receive the thumbs-up from your GP at your post-natal check up before you can start a structured post-natal training programme. From that point, you will very steadily increase your training. Accepting these facts will reduce the risk of injury, reduce the amount of pressure you place on yourself, and make the process of getting fit far more enjoyable.

The facts are that your body has changed. It will never exactly mirror your pre-baby body. It has been through a lot in the last 9 months, and you should embrace these changes and realise your may even love your post-baby body more than your pre-baby figure.

Know How To Exercise Efficiently & Safely  

If you are working with a post natal personal trainer, or attending a post natal fitness class, you may find they focus on weights and toning as this is a very effective way to burn fat, rather than lots of aerobic exercise. A thirty-minute burst of activity a couple of times a week may be all that you need. HIIT training is one of your best options (High Intensity Interval Training) now that you are a busy mum.

Time is scarce when you are a new mum. You may want to exercise outdoors and so need to arrange childcare. Or if you are exercising at home, you may only be able to grab small pockets of time while your baby is asleep. This is why it is important to know how to exercise efficiently. 100 sit-ups a day is definitely not the answer.

Focus On The Correct Muscle Groups 

You should begin by focusing on exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor, as this prevents any incontinence after childbirth. You should also focus on strengthening your core, which has been shot to pieces during your pregnancy. You need to re-build these muscles, and give them the attention they deserve after they have been pushed to their limits in the last nine months.

Drink lots of water 

Staying hydrated should be one of your upmost priorities, especially if you are breastfeeding. It’s easy to be so busy that you forget to drink water or that you substitute water with caffeinated drinks. Dehydration will lead to extra toxins in your body, making fat loss even more difficult. It will also leave you feeling tired and unable to exercise with the same gusto.

How hard did you find it to recover after having your little one, fitness wise?

*This is a guest post, from an external source, on a topic that we were happy to share with you!