Post Pregnancy Reboot

jenihullett
jenihullett Posts: 241 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 5 weeks away from my due date with my first baby, and I'm super excited to begin working out again (due to a number of complications throughout the pregnancy I was told not to work out AT ALL during my pregnancy, which has been a real bummer) but I'm not sure where to start. I know that I've probably lost a lot of the strength and stamina that I had built up, so I won't be able to jump back into my old routine right away. Any Mamas out there able to give me some advice on getting back on the workout wagon after having a baby? :)

Replies

  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Hahaha, you're excited now, but just wait! You'll have to wait the typical 6 weeks to do anything strenuous, but there's nothing wrong with walking a lot right after you have the baby. Just don't wear yourself out.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    Be patient. Bringing a new human being into the world is really taxing on the body, and if you have to have a c-section, you're going to have to wait longer to do anything more than just walking.

    Focus on having a healthy delivery and your beautiful newborn for now. Re-evaluate your fitness situation once the doctor clears you.
  • Breena_Bean5
    Breena_Bean5 Posts: 105 Member
    I had twins in June of last year (made my total of kids to 5, lol). Anywho, I started working out as soon as I felt able to. I started with 30 minute walks mixed in with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I took up her workouts because I am pressed for time and they are 20-30 minutes routines.
  • Breena_Bean5
    Breena_Bean5 Posts: 105 Member
    Be patient. Bringing a new human being into the world is really taxing on the body, and if you have to have a c-section, you're going to have to wait longer to do anything more than just walking.

    Focus on having a healthy delivery and your beautiful newborn for now. Re-evaluate your fitness situation once the doctor clears you.

    I had a c-section and was back up and running in a month, but everyone is different. The twins last year made my 4th c-section so at that point, I was used to the recovery routine, lol. Like I say, as long as you feel able to, do it! Don't push yourself though, take it easy and don't be in a hurry :wink:
  • shannonlee28
    shannonlee28 Posts: 15
    I had my second baby (also 2nd c-section) in May, as soon as I was able to walk comfortably I did that. I am now 10 months post partum and just reached my pre-pregnancy weight this morning. I only gained 35lbs and came home with only 20lbs extra. You just have to keep moving and you will eventually be about to get into your old routine yet it will be like new because you have a baby to care for. Good luck and congratulations!
  • marieamethyst
    marieamethyst Posts: 869 Member
    I'm about 9 months postpartum - I started out by just walking. I didn't do too much until after 6 weeks (third degree tear, ouch), but I was out and about from the first day home from the hospital. I just kept increasing activity as I felt comfortable. I also have counted calories since 6 weeks, although I gave up on that over the holidays because I wanted to focus on my husband being home on leave.

    Just listen to your body, and maybe ask your OB at your check up what they recommend to get going. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly, and you have an easy birth! Congrats, mama. :flowerforyou:
  • zephtalah
    zephtalah Posts: 327 Member
    Walking is a great post baby workout. I really wouldn't push to hard on more intense exercises for awhile afterwards. Every women is different. Every pregnancy is different. I have 7 children and with some of my babies, I was ready to conquer the world the next day with others it was months before I felt human again. Listen to your body. If you are exhausted and in pain, the strenuous exercising can wait! If you feel great, take it step by step to find your level. If you are planning on nursing, make sure to keep your calories up and drink lots of water. Losing weight is great, but don't do it at the expense of your baby's nutrition. Best wishes on a happy, healthy baby and a safe delivery.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    Hahaha, you're excited now, but just wait! You'll have to wait the typical 6 weeks to do anything strenuous, but there's nothing wrong with walking a lot right after you have the baby. Just don't wear yourself out.

    ^This. And then there's the whole shiny new human being to whom you will be devoting your time and attention. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but newborns sleep in short increments, and they love to be up all night. Nothing wrong with having an idea of the workout you would like to do, but you just need to be comfortable changing your plans because the baby you envision may not be the baby you get.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    Be patient. Bringing a new human being into the world is really taxing on the body, and if you have to have a c-section, you're going to have to wait longer to do anything more than just walking.

    Focus on having a healthy delivery and your beautiful newborn for now. Re-evaluate your fitness situation once the doctor clears you.

    I had a c-section and was back up and running in a month, but everyone is different. The twins last year made my 4th c-section so at that point, I was used to the recovery routine, lol. Like I say, as long as you feel able to, do it! Don't push yourself though, take it easy and don't be in a hurry :wink:

    It took me about 8 weeks before I could do anything but walking, and even walking was really painful for the first 2 weeks. I think every woman's recovery is different. I also bow down to women like you who have had more than one C-section. That's no joke!!!

    ETA: The point about no sleep is important too. I barely slept for about 3 months after my son was born, and I had help from my husband and family.
  • metimemum
    metimemum Posts: 27 Member
    I didn't exercise for a year. I breast fed my baby for a year and found that I didn't have the energy to do anything else. I did lose weight just through breast feeding though - it's a great calorie burner.

    Take your time and do what you can cope with mentally and physically. A newborn takes lots of energy out of you sleep wise and energy wise. Also you may have some post pregnancy recovery, depending on how labour went.

    So just do what you can cope with and take your time.

    Good luck with everything and let us know how it all went.
  • Pinkdueces2
    Pinkdueces2 Posts: 48 Member
    I am 10 weeks postpartum and I haven't started an exercise routine yet. I am breastfeeding, caring for a newborn and a toddler so my energy levels are pretty much all used up at this point. I do try to walk about once a week through the store just to get my body ready for when I do start a program. Honestly, I only plan to do 30 day shred when I do start. I have been watching my calories and breastfeeding and have already lost quite a bit of weight. When I delivered my little girl, I weighed 213. My highest weight of my life. When I got home, I still weighed 203. Today, I weighed myself and I weigh 181. So since being home and counting calories, I have lost 22lbs. I still have quite a bit to lose but I am losing nonetheless. Anyways--- GOOD LUCK and enjoy your baby!!
  • mycrazy8splus1
    mycrazy8splus1 Posts: 1,558 Member
    I just had baby #9 5 days ago. I did yoga the day after birth and walking on day 2. Nothing day 3. walking day 4. Yoga today, and have nothing planned for tomorrow. This was a total natural water birth at home. I am feeling great this time around.
    After my first baby, I was back to dancing (I was a dance minor in college at the time) after 3 days.
    After baby #5, induction and 10 hour labour I did no working out for 8 weeks.
    Every pregnancy/birth is different, every mommy is different. Take things slower than you think you should at first so not to do any harm to yourself. LISTEN to your body!! Watch for warnings (fatigue, light-headedness, bleeding, ect). Make sure you are eating and drinking enough.
  • Breena_Bean5
    Breena_Bean5 Posts: 105 Member
    I couldn't agree more! Listening to your body is VERY VERY important. If you start bleeding more than usual it typically means your over working yourself and to take it easy.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I did lots of walking after both my children, then went back to the gym when they were 7 weeks old. I worked out in my first pregnancy until about 34 weeks, but didn't do a lot in my second pregnancy, except look after my toddler and go for walks. It didn't take me long to get back into a routine after either of them. I think your body does somehow retain its fitness, even after a break.

    I'm 32+6 weeks pregnant with my 3rd now and have exercised regularly throughout. I will be taking a gym payment holiday from 37 weeks though (for April, May and June), so should be back exercising when my baby is around 8 or 9 weeks old. I'm hoping it won't take me long to regain my fitness. I'll be pretty busy with 3 kids I think!

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