After baby

sheenafontenot
sheenafontenot Posts: 1 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
What has worked well for everyone to get back into shape after having their first baby? I have always done weight lifting and cardio about 5 days a week. I realize I will have to start slow but I do plan to breastfeed which I've heard burns a lot of calories and I want to start walking as soon as possible. Any other suggestions?

Replies

  • k1214
    k1214 Posts: 33 Member
    I have a suggestion (and I can't believe this is my first post on the message boards - LOL!), your bladder might not work like it used to :) I discovered this the embarassing way when I returned to karate 6 weeks after my first baby and we did jumping jacks for the warm up :laugh:
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    Breastfeeding does burn calories, but I will warn you that it can also cause your body to hang on to fat if it thinks it's starving. Mine did, anyway. I have a difficult time cutting calories and losing weight while breastfeeding. Stay active so at least when you are done you will already have the muscles under the fat layer that you can work with :). Also, a lot of women--myself included--continue to get random cravings while breastfeeding, similar to pregnancy food cravings. Just to watch out so you aren't blindsided if it happens to you.

    I do suggest a lot of walking, either with baby in stroller or in a carry pack. As the baby gets older, play with him/her; you will get stronger as baby gets bigger. Also try to get some sleep; don't be supermom. If the baby is up half the night, nap with him/her during the day. Things, food, cleaning will wait; your sanity won't. Lack of sleep causes the body stress, which can also cause you to hold on to fat. So get sleep while you can.
  • msstatz
    msstatz Posts: 163 Member
    I had a baby in February and I started walking five days postpartum and then I started Insanity one month postpartum. I was not breast feeding though so you might want to take it easier. I lost all of my weight by 9 weeks postpartum and had toned up significantly. Good luck!
  • emirror
    emirror Posts: 842 Member
    You can create a custom exercise in the cardio exercise section, and estimate how many calories you are using to breastfeed.

    I was extremely tired when I was breastfeeding, with the around-the-clock, every-two-hours feedings going on, so go slow and don't overdo it.

    I liked using a Moby Wrap, and then going for walks with the baby. That, with watching calories (and figuring in for calories used while breastfeeding), took me from 220 to 174 (my starting weight here on MFP) within 7 months.

    Good luck!

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