I exercised until about 34 weeks at the gym with my first, then just went for walks after that, right up until I was 9 days overdue. I went back to the gym and personal training when my son was 7 weeks old. It didn't take me long to get back into it and regain my strength. I also went for lots of walks with the pram. He was a June baby and we live by the sea, so it was lovely.

With my 2nd I didn't exercise anywhere near as much, although my son was toddler at this point, so I was taking him out, still going for walks and stuff. My daughter was 12 days overdue and I again was back and the gym and doing PT sessions when she was 7 weeks old. She was a May baby, so again I was lucky and had nice weather for walks. I found I wasn't as out of shape as I expected to be that time!

Like other posters have said, I found it tricky to figure out an exercise routine that worked for me, especially after the birth of my second child. However, I tried to do dvds at home whenever I could and considered it a victory even if I only got 10 minutes into it before the baby (or toddler) needed me. Every little bit helped.

Honestly, I found walking/hiking to be my favourite and most effective exercise for many reasons - it got the kids and I outside, I had "me" time to clear my head when the baby slept in the stroller, I gained strength carrying him or my toddler in the ergo (I have big babies) and it was something I could do at anytime of day or night really. Now that I'm back to work, I schedule gym time every work day so I can pursue whatever I want in the gym - classes, weights etc.

Enjoy the time with your baby - you'll never get that time back. I'm in the best shape of my life and improving every day.

When I started up again at 6 weeks, my lack of core strength was very obvious to me, but I regained strength fast.

I was active throughout my pregnancy and pre-pregnancy I was in great shape, but there was just no way for me to maintain that level of fitness and muscle tone once the third trimester had it's way with my body.

I hit the gym 3x per week, every week, as soon as I got clearance. I bounced back fast and am probably in the best shape of my life now, but we're all different.

Pretty much the same for me. Even though I worked out right up to my due date, nothing could prepare me for how weak my core was once my baby was born. Even just standing up straight long enough to do a quick grocery run was a challenge for the first couple of weeks!

I got the all clear at 6 weeks pp, but didn't really start working out regularly until 8 weeks (I got the green light just before Christmas, and we had family in town so I wanted to spend my time with them). I started with a combo of dvds (30 Day Shred) and weights at home, and I did cardio at the gym since it was snowy outside. I had to ease back into things because even though my doc said things looked good, I had a bad tear and it got sore quite easily during cardio, and there were some strength moves (mostly legs/abs) that made me feel like I was straining that area too much so I had to use lighter weights for the first several months.

Absolutely agree with J3nnyV about walking. I got outside with the baby in the stroller as often as I could during the winter months, and we still go out almost every day now at 10 months pp. Baby loves it, and it gets me out of the house. The days we don't get out we both get antsy and cranky!

I worked out as long as I could pre-baby, which was past my due date since he was overdue by eight days. I returned shortly after six weeks and the obstetrician's sign off. I had to have an emergency c-section, and the lack of core strength is just astonishing. I didn't feel sad about the c-section until today when my lack of core strength became very apparent at the gym. Also, working out so long while pregnant has also resulted in really terrible balance now because my body got used to accommodating the belly. Ha. I feel like I'm starting from stage one again, but I'm very happy to be back at it.

When I started up again at 6 weeks, my lack of core strength was very obvious to me, but I regained strength fast.

I was active throughout my pregnancy and pre-pregnancy I was in great shape, but there was just no way for me to maintain that level of fitness and muscle tone once the third trimester had it's way with my body.

I hit the gym 3x per week, every week, as soon as I got clearance. I bounced back fast and am probably in the best shape of my life now, but we're all different.

Pretty much the same for me. Even though I worked out right up to my due date, nothing could prepare me for how weak my core was once my baby was born. Even just standing up straight long enough to do a quick grocery run was a challenge for the first couple of weeks!

I got the all clear at 6 weeks pp, but didn't really start working out regularly until 8 weeks (I got the green light just before Christmas, and we had family in town so I wanted to spend my time with them). I started with a combo of dvds (30 Day Shred) and weights at home, and I did cardio at the gym since it was snowy outside. I had to ease back into things because even though my doc said things looked good, I had a bad tear and it got sore quite easily during cardio, and there were some strength moves (mostly legs/abs) that made me feel like I was straining that area too much so I had to use lighter weights for the first several months.

Absolutely agree with J3nnyV about walking. I got outside with the baby in the stroller as often as I could during the winter months, and we still go out almost every day now at 10 months pp. Baby loves it, and it gets me out of the house. The days we don't get out we both get antsy and cranky!