Hurts to exercise

Dmeloverde
Dmeloverde Posts: 1 Member
edited November 21 in Getting Started
I recently had a baby in the starting of July, I experienced immense depression during my pregnancy which kept me inside sleeping or sitting on the couch for the entire 9 months. I used to describe myself as a strong a sexy-bodied young woman, now I'm flabby everywhere and can't do 10 jumping jacks without pain. I recently started eating very healthy and walking at least 2km a day, usually more. I can't go to the gym because of lack of childcare, so I'm at a loss of how to start my exercise routine.

I have a goal of starting at hourglass workout when my baby is a bit older and can stay with auntie or grandma for a couple hours but I want to feel like I can actually do the intense workout before then.

Replies

  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    Jumping jacks always strike me as being fairly high-impact, so I'm not surprised that they might hurt. Just to be safe, and depending on where you're feeling pain, you should let your doctor know during your next visit to make sure that there isn't a physical reason.

    Does walking cause pain? If not, just keep doing that. It's wonderful exercise, it's typically low-impact, and it will be something you can do with your baby in a stroller so you don't need to worry about child care. Beyond that, start looking into video workouts that you can do at home.
  • libbymac68
    libbymac68 Posts: 10 Member
    edited August 2017
    You tube is a good place to go to get exercise ideas from other stay at home moms! Anything you need help on can be found on You Tube.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    What kind of pain are we talking about here? If it is in your abdomen or possibly related to the pregnancy I would suggest talking to your doctor about it, there could be something medically going on.

    If it is just muscle fatigue then sometimes you just gotta keep pushing on. There are all sorts of workout videos you can easily access, many of them can be found for free on youtube. Or if you get on pinterest you can find all sorts of exercise programs there too. Pick one that appeals to you and give it a whirl, they should discuss modifications for more difficult exercises you may not be ready for yet. Since you have a little one you might can probably search for stroller workouts that you can do after your walks, or exercises where you include your kiddo if you want to involve the baby and make it fun time together :smile: Fit moms have come up with all sorts of fun routines these days.
  • French_Peasant
    French_Peasant Posts: 1,639 Member
    If it hurts, please don't push yourself. Be kind and gentle with your body, it has done so much. It sounds like walking agrees with you, and probably agrees with new little baby as well--so rather than push yourself into something high impact, why not just start slowly and increase your walks? It is certainly a respectable exercise. Pushing a stroller or carrying the baby adds a little resistance, and if you want to increase the workout, you can always put something heavy in the stroller (if it is sturdy) and get more of a workout that way.

    If you have some hand weights, or even some cans of beans or some such, there are all kinds of lighter resistance training exercises that you can start as well, along with classic bodyweight exercises. If you work on things like planks, bodyweight squats, lunges, yoga movements, whatever doesn't hurt, you can start building a strong core and a good foundation for when you are able to take on more exercise.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    You are just barely out of birth recovery, listen to your body and don't do things that cause pain. Your body is still flooded with pregnancy hormones that make it easy for you to get injured. Start with low impact things like walking, or step-jacks, or pushups/pullups/squats...body weight exercises are good. If you need ideas try youtube or darebee - I think with darebee you can search for level 1 exercises which should be beginner low impact programs or worksheets. And rest when you are tired. Give it about 3 weeks at one level before you increase intensity or impact - you might not always feel it after one or two workouts if you are doing too much, but if you are able to keep up for three weeks then you should be good to step it up a bit more. Getting injured doing too much will only set you back farther. Start slow, increase slow, consistency and sustainability is key.
  • ISweat4This
    ISweat4This Posts: 653 Member
    Try FitnessBlender.com, they have various workouts for all fitness levels.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Your first baby?

    Speaking from experience, you are going to find that some higher-impact activities (jumping jacks, jumping rope, jumping on a trampoline) are very different once you've had a baby!

    Go easy on yourself, and make sure you check with your doctor at your postpartum appointment to make sure you are good to start exercising.

    In the meantime, walking (with the stroller or with your baby in a carrier) is a perfectly fine way to get some exercise in.
  • dani_1977
    dani_1977 Posts: 557 Member
    Have you been cleared to work out , have explained to you doctor about the pain?

    Why do you feel like walking isn't enough. Walking is plenty exercise, for extra weight put the baby in the carrier. Or pick up some hand weights or resistance bands to add for toning.
    Use the benches along the way for resistance training ( push ups, tricep dips). Take a towel or yoga mat along with you to do some light body weight floor exercises ( leg lifts, donkey kicks, abs)
    Add map my run to your phone, to get a idea of your pace. Try to beat your pace every week.

    As others have added, plenty understand your body had been through a lot, take your time to recover.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Are you getting help for your depression?
This discussion has been closed.

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