Postpartum Exercise Check-In - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Just1More]

Originally Posted by rozziemama 
 But how weird, right, to drop 36 lbs in 3.5 weeks (and still not fit into your clothing, and still look pregnant!)??

I know.  Crazy.  I've lost 30+ pounds, too, and those prepg jeans aren't happening anytime soon.  Feels like not anytime ever.  But, patience.  Patience.  :)

[Astraia]

I have no idea what i lost- I don't have a scale, and forgot to weigh myself when I went for my last midwife appointment and don't go again until the end of the month. I can say with certainty that my pre-preg clothes do NOT fit- except for the 2 pairs of pants that i could take off without unbuttoning before I got pregnant :P

[maryamrose]

good for you Luna! nope, no exercise here. I was hiking (how I miss stairs!) or walking 4+ miles daily until the very end, but c-section recovery and a very strong desire to not mess with the healing process means that I've been taking it very, very easy. I don't even think I'm going to be running until after the 6 week mark, I'm definitely going to be taking it slow and starting with walks around the neighborhood. I've noticed that if I'm on my feet too much, my incision starts to hurt and the lochia gets redder...

it's driving me crazy because I love being active and I can't wait to strap the kid onto me and go on some pretty epic hikes. I'm shopping around for a jogging stroller, too, and I really can't wait to go on some nice evening runs later in the summer.

I also don't have a scale, and I'm getting smaller every day, but I am nowhere near being able to wear pre-preg jeans. shirts fit fine and my waist is almost back to normal, but my lower body is much bigger than before. I bought jeans a few sizes larger than before pregnancy and even those are still too small! I'm not stressing, though, it's only been three weeks.

[Sky]

OK!!!! DH got back home wed! yay! so of course I went back to the gym thursday (yesterday) it was great I did the Precore AMT, it's a machine that is a stepper and an eliptical crosstrainer, I love this machine!  Today I will be going back to ZUMBA I'm so excited. It has been 3 weeks DH was gone and I had to do Home workouts, it was fine but I felt I could not destress as much as when I can get to the gym on my own KWIM? It has been 14 weeks since Sångs birth and 8 weeks of working out but only about 3x a week and ofcourse the last 3 weeks I don't feel it was the best workouts at home. So now I'm happy to get back tot he gym and I'm going to start doing weights again. Also I'll be going at least 5x a week now, My body felt so much better after yesterdays gym workout and any extra stress left DOn't know if I have a goal I just want to my body to feel good/healthy.  I think I want to tone a bit more and define muscles more over the next few mths.

When I left YDD with DH sent me a pick of ODD feeding her pumped bm LOL! she is like a little mommy to Sång

NAK

[MeredithA]

Had my 6 week post partum apt today and although I am still bleeding (off & on) the midwife said I could go ahead and exercise & wear a tampon/diva cup if I wanted to go swimming. So now I really have no excuse not to be working out.

I'm going to start walking w/ Sarah next Thursday and swimming 2x/wk at our neighborhood pool. I walked the dog a couple of days ago at a really quick speed-walking pace and that felt great! I never *want* to work out but once I get myself to do it, it feels so good afterward.

Sky, good for you doing weights already! You seem so motivated! And it's really sweet that your older dd is such a little mama to Sang while you are working out.

I have lost 27 pounds since birth and have 17 more to go. I have to be back to size by August because I can't afford a new professional wardrobe to wear to work when I return! I need to be able to get my butt into my pre preg dress pants by Aug. 13 ~ that's my goal :-)

[BubbleMa]

Originally Posted by MeredithA 

Had my 6 week post partum apt today and although I am still bleeding (off & on) the midwife said I could go ahead and exercise & wear a tampon/diva cup if I wanted to go swimming. So now I really have no excuse not to be working out.
I'm going to start walking w/ Sarah next Thursday and swimming 2x/wk at our neighborhood pool. I walked the dog a couple of days ago at a really quick speed-walking pace and that felt great! I never *want* to work out but once I get myself to do it, it feels so good afterward.
Sky, good for you doing weights already! You seem so motivated! And it's really sweet that your older dd is such a little mama to Sang while you are working out.
I have lost 27 pounds since birth and have 17 more to go. I have to be back to size by August because I can't afford a new professional wardrobe to wear to work when I return! I need to be able to get my butt into my pre preg dress pants by Aug. 13 ~ that's my goal :-)

That's me too.  In addition to our walking, I'm going to start going to the community gym at least 2x a week.  I really have no excuse not to go.  It's within walking distance, and it's free. 

Oh, ETA: I've also cut out almost all snacking.  I eat 3 balanced meals a day (I've also started menu planning) and have a bowl of not-crappy cereal before bed.  I might have to start eating some healthy snacks once I start working out though.

[Masel]

I started back at the gym this week. The twitchy muscle on my back is so much better now. 

I hadn't gained much weight and am currently under my pre-pregnany weight but how weird is it to have my jeans feel baggy and still have muffin top. Blech. 

[rozziemama]

I am very impressed with everyone on this thread now
I have been walking a bunch , did some home yoga this week in the 100 degree temps, which I thought was a bit smarter than going to my hot yoga class, especially since I'm still sweating essentially menopausal amounts of fluid!
I have also started to do some basic abdominal exercises to help with the diastis recti. I can fit about three fingers in the split, which feels crazy.
My plan for my final 6 weeks of maternity leave (I can't believe how fast this is going ) is to join a gym in the building of DHs work so I can leave baby with him for 40 mins or so to work out. seems like the easiest thing to do...i really had hoped to fit into some clothing before I went back to work so i wouldn't have to buy new pants...but I have appeared to have hit my challenging plateau of weight loss with 12 pounds and whatever crazy thing has happened to my stomach and hips making it impossible to button ANY pants.
Grrrr
9 months on, 9 months off is my mantra, but I was a bit fooled by the quick drop of 39 pounds in less than 4 weeks! Oh well.

[Astraia]

Bubble- how have you cut out snacks?! I just finished dinner- no joke, 25 minutes ago- and I'm starving. It was a big meal, I ate until I felt satisfied but not stuffed, and my stomach feels totally empty. I'm going to go eat some yucky almond yogurt and granola in a minute. 

Okay, so in relation to my newly-discovered prolapse, I'm thinking I need to maybe actually do something physical to help it- add in an exercise routine (designed to help pelvic floor) and more walking to my daily routine. I have absolutely no idea HOW. How are you ladies accomplishing these things? Right now it's pretty straight forward: DH watches the other kids, I exercise. But once DH gets back to work, our evenings when he comes home are pretty much set with dinner, bed time stuff for the older two, etc and to do stuff before he leaves for work I'd need to be up around 5 am. Are you just leaving the house in the evenings? Do you do it while the baby naps? Do you exercise with your baby?

Rozzie- I also have the diastis recti, three fingers. Need to get to work on that, too, my postpartum belly is freaking me out a bit.

[lindsayjean]

I just walked (fast!) a 5K with my babe strapped to my front via wrap.  Maybe too soon.... my pelvis hurts!!!  And I'm definitely going to be sore tomorrow.  Says the yoga instructor/aviid exerciser/former personal trainer LOL!!  My body is saying.... remember you just had a baby 5 weeks ago, slow down!

[rozziemama]

It's wise advice, to take it slow - but isn't it so hard when you SORT of feel "normal," the bleeding/soreness has stopped, etc... To be gentle on yourself...

I have pretty serious lower back pain from doing some long walks with baby in carrier last week. He is almost 12 pounds already and as I mentioned in post above, I've literally no abdominal muscles so, I think it put a lot of strain on my lower back to carry him.... And that's with a really great carrier too - the boba (FYI) I love it!

Lindsay- I haven't heard a June update in a while but it sounds from your post that she is doing well?

Originally Posted by lindsayjean 

I just walked (fast!) a 5K with my babe strapped to my front via wrap.  Maybe too soon.... my pelvis hurts!!!  And I'm definitely going to be sore tomorrow.  Says the yoga instructor/aviid exerciser/former personal trainer LOL!!  My body is saying.... remember you just had a baby 5 weeks ago, slow down!

[lindsayjean]

Rozzie- thanks for asking!  She's on meds for heart failure and we are hoping/praying that she continues to gain weight and her heart strain isn't too bad (no more turning blue and blood o2 going way down!!!) so that they can hold off on the open heart surgery until 4 months old.  It's pretty stressful, but we're finding our new normal.  The 5K was actually to raise money for the Children's cardiology center at the hospital we were and will be at.  So it's going to be our yearly thing now... Go Team June!!  

[rozziemama]

Oh, so glad she is doing well. And getting stronger. I'm sure you can find a lot of support for Team June here on this DDC!

I hope you and the family are feeling good and getting all the support you need.

I went for my first Post Baby RUN today. Omg. I think I need to wear my belly band because even though I was surprisingly capable of running without - I don't know, dying!! - my lower back KILLS now. Darn stomach muscles. Come back! I need you!

Originally Posted by lindsayjean 

Rozzie- thanks for asking!  She's on meds for heart failure and we are hoping/praying that she continues to gain weight and her heart strain isn't too bad (no more turning blue and blood o2 going way down!!!) so that they can hold off on the open heart surgery until 4 months old.  It's pretty stressful, but we're finding our new normal.  The 5K was actually to raise money for the Children's cardiology center at the hospital we were and will be at.  So it's going to be our yearly thing now... Go Team June!!  

[Astraia]

Lindsay- that's tough! I'm glad she's doing well, hopefully 4 months comes quickly and she continues to do well until then.

I did a few exercises for the diastisis recti. While I was doing them I was like, geeze, this is pointless, I don't feel anything. An hour later though- wow, did I feel it. Very strange

[mswmommy]

Astraia - can I ask what exercises you're doing for the diastisis recti?  I want to try to start doing something about mine, but don't know where to start.  My midwife didn't have any tips.

[MeredithA]

Yes Astria I want to know what you're doing for diastasis recti also! My abs are like jello and I can feel a 2-4 finger width split still!

[rozziemama]

I bought a DVD By someone named Lindsay Brin with all sorts of core exercises for diastis. It's a waste of money - because for me, once I learn them they are very basic - pelvic tilts, etc.
Meredith - do you want me to send you the DVD? I'd be happy to send it on, we can all reform our cores together.

[rozziemama]

Actually! Check it out you can get free workouts for diastis on her website: http://www.momsintofitness.com/switch-new-mom-to-diastasis-recti

Much better than the silly DVD I won't ever use

[Astraia]

Cat vomit (oh yay!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wejm0cGqv3Y

3 Exercises to heal diastasis recti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6SfiH2-TEQ

5 exercises: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mpd3EVRaO4

A lot of them are pretty similar.

Also: because I have a bladder prolapse (oh yay!) all of the instructions about tilting your pelvis, flatten your back, etc, are the exact OPPOSITE of what I want to be doing. I'm trying really hard to maintain a neutral spine with the natural curve maintained to help reposition and strengthen the pelvic floor (been reading some stuff about how this flat stomach, butt tucked under, pelvis tilted posture we've all been taught is great for men but the exact opposite of what women need). Realizing only now what horrendous posture I have :/ Also trying hard to make sure that any ab exercises I do aren't causing my abs to push downward at all because that can also make prolapse worse.

Oh hey, I just noticed the last video clip I linked is Lindsay Brin- same thing you have, Rozzie? Haha. I also found her to be annoying and/or useless, but it was a repetition of a few things I'd read and seen in other places so I'm using some of the moves.

I also did a few of these pelvic circles from the clip of the Whole Woman DVD (to repair prolapse) which I'm considering buying...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvGROzIYN6w

I'm also going to be getting a hula hoop soon- I commissioned one from my sister-in-law who tapes hoops to sell and am planning to join the local hooping class when the baby is a bit older. I haven't used a hula hoop since I was like, 10, and i sucked at it but these are really good quality hoops, weighted, grippy, and adult-sized. Hooping is a great aerobic work out and really good for your core so I watched a few tutorial videos on youtube and copied a few things I saw there (despite my lack of hoop- it feels really stupid without one!). I'm excited to get it. She's made one for both of my older kids so we can all practice together in the backyard in a week or so when my hoop is ready.