Post Pregnancy Exercises

Your new baby is bringing joy and happiness to your family, however, the "addition" that pregnancy placed on your stomach, hips, thighs and bottom isn't bringing you joy. Post-pregnancy is a joyous and exhausting time for new mothers and along with newborn questions and concerns is the worry about how to lose pregnancy weight. One of the best ways to shrink sizes is to institute a daily exercise regimen and find ways to work out with the baby.

  1. When to Begin

    • As you heal, your body will continue to change and your weight transformation will take at least a year before you can reach your post-pregnancy fitness and weight goals. Before beginning any exercise routine, check with your doctor to get the green light. Generally, mothers who deliver vaginally can begin exercising six weeks after delivery and moms who delivered via C-section should wait two months.

      You also need to consider that your stomach muscles have been stretched and, in the case of a caesarean section, were cut, so getting those flat-toned abs takes patience, determination and discipline.

    When to Exercise

    • Your baby needs you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so running off to the gym or taking a 25-mile bike ride may have to wait until the baby is older.

      During your first few months of exercise, you will need to be inventive about when and where you work out. If you have a nanny or regular help from a relative, work out when the baby is cared for.

      Another option is to work out while the baby is sleeping. Although you may have the urge to clean or conduct other household chores during the baby's nap, make working out a priority so that you can reach your fitness goal. Don't forget to keep your baby monitor on so you can hear activity from the nursery while exercising.

      If your darling angel isn't much of a sleeper, you can still get your workout in, especially while the baby is too young to walk. Purchase an electric baby swing or bouncy chair so your baby can watch while you work out.

      Attempt to work out at least four or five days per week, however, being a new mom comes with new challenges so if you miss a day when the baby is especially fussy, don't get discouraged. Just complete your workout the next day.

    Best Post-Pregnancy Workouts

    • If you've always worked out, there's no reason why you can't continue your same routine. Start slowly and work back up to your previous intensity level over the course of a few months. Listen to your body. If you feel too exhausted, dizzy or experience pain, stop and consult your doctor before working out again.

      One exercise to do outside is running or walking. Purchase a jogging stroller and take the baby out for fresh air while you run or go for a brisk walk. According to pediatrician Dr. Daniel Levy, most babies can begin riding in a jogging stroller at about 4 months old.

      Another good post-pregnancy exercise is yoga or Pilates. Many retailers offer yoga and Pilates DVDs for pregnant and post-partum moms, which focuses on stretching and strengthening muscles that were strained during pregnancy and childbirth.

      For a good cardio blast, try Billy Blank's Tae Bo workout. Billy has a variety of 45- to 60-minute DVDs aimed at blasting fat and calories. Other strength- and cardio-building DVDs include Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred or Jackie Warner's Workout.

      Don't forget that your new baby demands plenty of your energy between nursing and pacing the floor when the baby is crying. Your body will burn calories simply being a new mom.