5 Ways to Help Your Body Bounce Back After Pregnancy
You recently welcomed a beautiful bundle of joy, but your body isn’t what it used to be. You’re not alone.
There are so many things that happen to a woman’s body during pregnancy – weight gain, swollen feet and painful ankles, and (eek!) stretch marks, just to name a few – and your body isn’t always quick to return to its former state.
Here are 5 ways to help your body bounce back after pregnancy.
Start Exercising Today
Once you get the OK from your doctor, start exercising. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that if you had a healthy pregnancy and a normal vaginal delivery, you should be able to start exercising again soon after the baby is born. But, if you had a cesarean birth or other complications, you should ask your doctor when it is safe to start.
The sooner you get into an exercise routine, it’s easier to make it a habit. Head to the gym or hit the pavement now, and before you know it, your body will be back to how it was before you had your baby (and maybe even better).
Start Slow
If you decide you’re ready to start exercising again, go slow – taking 10-minute morning, afternoon, and evening walks each day is a good place to start. The ACOG says you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. Other exercises can include fun mommy-and-me workouts. To help you start looking forward to your workouts, you can incentivize yourself by buying new workout clothes, like a stylish and comfortable tank top that’s perfect for low-impact workouts.
Step Up Your Exercise (after a month)
When your body starts feeling better, you can start upping your exercise game to include workouts involving pelvic tilts and abdominal crunches, as well as swimming, biking, dancing, yoga, and Pilates.
Don’t Weigh Yourself
Stop and remember that you just had a baby. Celebrate all the joys that come with that. Give yourself the time to shed the weight and don’t focus on the number on your scale. Instead focus on different numbers: Your baby’s age (in months), how many teeth they get, and how many hours of sleep you are getting (Don’t worry, they will sleep through the night eventually.)
Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Moms
If you have a friend who also recently gave birth, buddy up and exercise together. It will keep you both motivated. But remember not to compare your progress to her (or any other new moms). Everyone’s body reacts to things differently. For instance, some moms that breastfeed may lose weight quickly, while others do not.
If you focus on your overall well-being, and eat healthy, exercise, and monitor your mental health, your body will bounce back before you know it.