postpartum exercising

[Oliver's Mama]

has anyone started yet?

I'm 6 weeks out, no bleeding from lifting anymore, so I feel it's safe to attack the pilsbury doughboy who has taken up residence in my belly. ick!

With my first pregnancy, I didn't care too much about getting back in shape, since I knew I would just "ruin" my body again with another pregnancy, but since this is likely my last I'm feeling motivated to get back in shape. I'm tired of feeling so miserable and being cooped up at home with a cranky baby and toddler.. I feel maybe doing something to feel better about myself will help us all.

Anyone have fave exercises? I've heard the transverse abdominal muscles are the best to target.

[dogretro]

Originally Posted by Oliver's Mama

Anyone have fave exercises?

Getting up from the couch to get more snacks.

[tri31]

I started after my 6 week apt checked out, okay. I have been bellying dancing, also just dancing off and on during the day. Ideal for soothing my LO. And hula hooping, which I love. I have been having fun and taking it easy. However, I woke up today with what feels like a pulled muscle. So I will have to play more carefully for a while.

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by Oliver's Mama

has anyone started yet?

I'm 6 weeks out, no bleeding from lifting anymore, so I feel it's safe to attack the pilsbury doughboy who has taken up residence in my belly. ick!

With my first pregnancy, I didn't care too much about getting back in shape, since I knew I would just "ruin" my body again with another pregnancy, but since this is likely my last I'm feeling motivated to get back in shape. I'm tired of feeling so miserable and being cooped up at home with a cranky baby and toddler.. I feel maybe doing something to feel better about myself will help us all.

Anyone have fave exercises? I've heard the transverse abdominal muscles are the best to target.

I've just been trying to go for a walk every day. Though DH has worked late the last couple of days and I didn't end up going.

[ivymae]

I'm getting back into my walking routine (3 miles a day in average, walking to/from school) and also going to yoga once a week. I'll add back in my home practice eventually. If you have any abdominal separation do some reading on safe exercises, since abdominal strain (like situps) can actually make it worse.

[Jeannabna]

My Gaiam Prenatal DVD with Shiva Rea has a postpartum workout on it. It has 3 phases, I have only done the first, as I am only 2 weeks PP. Its no more than 5 minutes long, but it helps me to not do too much because I feel pretty good. I will probably so some of phase 2 next week.

On a side note, I found some capris last night with an elastic waist and they are NOT maternity! Those will get me through the summer at least....

[dogretro]

[QUOTE=ivymae;15405693If you have any abdominal separation do some reading on safe exercises, since abdominal strain (like situps) can actually make it worse.[/QUOTE]

Huh, thanks 4 the info. I was thinking of starting sit ups, but will hold off now. Guess I'll try the exercises that are on the discharge sheet. How do you know if you have ab separation?

[Realrellim]

Yep. I started running the day after my 6 week pp checkup. I started doing some easy ab exercises (small crunches, etc) then too. I'm two months postpartum now and just took a 3-mile run. I'm planning to add some more ab exercises in this week, and to start using some weights to build muscle in my arms (for holding a growing baby!) and legs (for pushing a double jogger up the hills in my neighborhood).

[bcblondie]

Sit ups are not a good exercise postpartum! It puts way too much strain on the back and if you have separated abs it can actually set them like that.

To check if they are separated, lay on teh floor on your back. Lift your head and your feet off the floor just a little. Press down along your midline with your fingers, just above and below your belly button. If you feel a gap between the 2 hard sides of muscle, they've separated. If it's less than a finger width it's no big deal. But more than that should be fixed.

I love this workout. It starts you slow and works your way up.

http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=805

[Jeannabna]

Thanks for the link! I keep searching for info on pp excercising but couln't find anything that seemed credible and cautious enough.

[bcblondie]

No prob.

Whoa... Everything is beige all of a sudden...