FOUND THIS POST IN MY ARCHIVES.
NOW I’VE GOT TWO KIDS (!), BUT IT IS STILL VALID AND I STILL KEEP FIT 🙂 Read on!
How to get rid of the pregnancy belly? Will I ever lose that baby weight? Check out the tips below to learn how you too can become a fit mum!
Then along came my son – my amazing little boy. And he turned my entire fit-life upside down.
I’m guessing you’ve been through it too and know all about it. Never-ending feeds, sleeps (or rather their lack of), piles of dirty nappies and no time left to even brush your teeth. How to get rid of the pregnancy belly? Will I ever lose that baby weight?
The answer is: yes, of course it is. Being a busy mum doesn’t preclude you from staying active. On the contrary – it opens up a whole lot of fantastic possibilities you have never thought about (or didn’t dare to try). Whether your life before kids was strongly defined through fitness or the post-baby overhang made you think of exercise for the first time – there has never been a better time to get started.
Check out the tips below to learn how you too can become a fit mum!
Develop A Flexible Attitude
Children are amazing little people that grow and change at an astonishing pace. The routines and activities that work now will most likely prove impossible in a few months time.
The baby that was once happy being pushed around in the pram for hours while mum was practising her power walks, now refuses to sit and instead moves along at a snail’s pace. The child that once happily sat in a corner watching you sweat in front of an exercise video, now wants to spend hours at the playground.
The solution is simple. Rather than seeing this as an obstacle, adapt, go with the flow and roll with the punches. Think about fitness in stages, where each stage of your growing child gives you an opportunity to explore new exercises. Let’s break it down.
Adapt exercise to growing stages of your child
WEEKS 0+
Walking Is Safe, Free And Boosts Your Energy Levels
You cannot realistically expect to do regular kickboxing classes soon after giving birth (especially if you had a c-section), not only because your abdominals are not functioning properly, but also your little one needs plenty of attention.
This is a perfect time to start walking with the pram. Walking is not only safe, but also gets you and your little one out of the house and helps with baby blues.
If you are the extreme mum you can seek out uphills or put your shopping at the bottom of the pram for extra load.
Pay attention to your posture – stand tall, tighten your abdominals and roll your shoulders back and down. Don’t grip too tightly on the handle bar and ideally push the pram only with the tips of your fingers.
Plenty of fresh air and gentle abdominal exercises, like tummy tightening while pushing the pram, did wonders to my bum, abs and legs! Soon I was able to jump back into more complex exercise routine.
Make exercise beneficial
Seek out uphills or put your shopping at the bottom of the pram for extra load.
Pay attention to your posture – stand tall, tighten your abdominals and roll your shoulders back and down.
Don’t grip too tightly on the handle bar and ideally push the pram only with the tips of your fingers.
WEEKS 6 – 12+
Fix Your Body With A Personal Trainer
Before getting into more serious exercise I would recommend having a few sessions with a personal trainer. Not just to get advice on how to shift the post-baby overhang, but also to make sure that you stay safe.
I did exactly that and, I promise, this was the best money I ever spent. Your post-pregnancy body is more prone to injuries as your balance is not as good and your joints are more lax.
A trainer will not only help you rebuild a strong core and a beautifully toned body, but you’ll also learn how to exercise safely on your own.
MONTHS 6+
The Real Fun Starts Now
Once you’ve recovered properly from the initial shocks of pregnancy and birth, it’s time to explore new activities.
If you can leave your child with someone try some classes like pilates, zumba or even re-introduce yourself to your good old kickboxing class. If indoor exercise isn’t your thing, check out your local outdoor exercise groups.
Is your little one already a bit older and keen to explore the playground? Excellent!
Use his playground as your gym. While your child is having fun, you can easily engage in strengthening exercises like push ups, chin ups and squats.
Believe me, your child will be more than keen to join in!
Let playground be your gym
Work on your balance and strength on the climbing wall. Children can usually start climbing from the age of 3 years. The opportunities are truly endless: cycling excursions, ice-skating, skiing, beach ball or frisbee to name only a few. Roller-skating has always been on my bucket list and as soon as my son is old enough that is what I will do!
You Too Can Be A Fit Mum
Wherever you are now, it is possible to begin a new fit life.
It requires a bit of forward thinking and a bit of planning, but it is perfectly doable. And it’s so much fun!