Most women are so glad once they give birth, that postnatal exercise doesn't enter their thoughts until at least week two after birth. This isn't always the case, but whenever you find yourself wondering how your going to shed the left-over weight and keep yourself from going crazy with your new 24/7 parental responsibilities: Remember the recommendations below:
Start off with some kegel exercises, before jumping into anything too strenuous. Kegels will help tighten your vaginal walls back up and help any torn tissue heal by promoting more blood flow to the entire area. You may find that after using kegels as your starting postnatal exercise, that you'll be a kegeler for life. Many women claim heightened arousal and intensified orgasms.
When you're ready to move on to more taxing physical exercise (aside form what you're already doing with your new baby), start off slowly and stick to low-impact exercises that aren't too hard on your abdomen or private area. Walking, light cycling, elliptical machine and other exercises done lightly are great and easy, etc. Don't push it too hard until you know you're not going to create set-backs.
If you increased your diet during your pregnancy, make sure you start to lower your caloric intake immediately. Getting your diet under control is just as important as starting your postnatal exercise routine.
Make sure you have a spouse, friend, parent, etc. that can help watch your infant while you exercises. While the mother/infant bond is hard to pull away from, you have to place some importance on being away from them for a half hour, or more -- to burn off some stress. Any low-impact exercise is perfectly acceptable and works wonders for curing/preventing Postpartum depression symptoms that can often creep up on you starting in the first few weeks after giving birth.
Learn more about postnatal exercise and read lots of health tips at our fitness website.
