After giving birth, many new mothers are interested in getting back in shape but don't know where to begin. Eating a healthy diet is an important part of losing baby fat, but beginning an exercise program once you're ready is what will really help you lose excess weight and start looking and feeling fantastic again. Having a newborn at home can make getting to the gym difficult, but there's no need to fret, because there are plenty of ways you can get fit while watching your baby. Here's a look at how you can accomplish this.
Go Slowly
If you're like many moms and haven't exercised in awhile, don't jump right into an exercise program. Instead, promote your success by easing into it slowly. Don't ever strain yourself, and consult a doctor if you want to be completely sure that you can safely begin exercising. Your doctor, who was helpful in recommendations for options like pain management methods, banking cord blood, and circumcision, can be very helpful in making recommendations about the best way to get back into shape.
Walking for Fitness
Walking is possibly the best way for new mothers to get fit. It's gentle, easy and totally free if you go outside instead of using a treadmill. There's no need to find a babysitter, because you can simply put your newborn in a stroller for each trek. If you feel like an extra challenge, you can wear your baby in a carrier while you go for a walk. Whether you take your baby along in a stroller or a carrier, your child will benefit greatly from the stimulation of the varied surroundings you encounter together.
One great thing about walking is its versatility. By simply walking uphill or varying your speed, you can easily modulate the intensity of your walk depending on how you feel each day. Whether you're in the mood for a challenge or a relaxing stroll, the choice is yours to make.
Indoor Exercises
If you prefer to stay at home or don't feel like going for a walk, you can always do yoga or aerobic exercises in your living room while the baby is sleeping. When you want results fast, a program combining strength training, or yoga, and aerobics will get you in shape more quickly than either alone. Bigger muscles from yoga will give you a faster metabolism that burns fat around the clock, and aerobics will help burn fat by further elevating your metabolic rate.
To get started on an indoor fitness program, you may want to either watch yoga or exercise videos, or purchase a machine such as a stair climber or stationary bike. Depending on where you live, you may even be able to find exercise classes where the two of you can work out together. Of course, you can also work out together at home. This will help strengthen your bond and teach your child healthy habits as they grow older.
After giving birth, many mothers have trouble adjusting to eating for only one again. Once you recalibrate your dietary habits, you'll be coasting along toward your fitness goals. With a combination of healthy food and plenty of exercise, you can count on looking great again before you know it.
This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.
2 comments:
thank you so much for you valuable information i know this will help all those seeking advice relating to their fitness
Great information and thanks for sharing. I know it's been many years since I last got pregnant but I remember losing weight very fast because I breast fed my baby and took care of her day in and out. It must have been very exhausting then to juggle career and motherhood at the same time. I lost my baby weight in less than 2 months and fit my old clothes easily. I didn't do any exercise nor diet. I think we all have our ways of losing the pregnancy weight afterwards.
Hugs,
Ria C
Post a Comment