How To Stay On Top Of Your Fitness After Pregnancy

It can be a challenge to stay on top of your fitness after pregnancy, especially with your little one close by all the time. However, it is definitely manageable to get moving for 20-30 minutes a day, this can help with both your physical and mental health.

Be patient with yourself and don’t push too hard

It isn’t recommended to practice strenuous exercises after pregnancy but slowly build your strength back up and try to get moving every day, even if it’s for 10 minutes. Even if you were ultra-fit before pregnancy, you should still definitely take it slow. Your uterus is still healing, and it can be uncomfortable to move too much. It’s a good idea to take ibuprofen before exercising if you are suffering from some pain and 100% stop if it gets too much.

Invest in some equipment to help boost motivation levels

It’s essential to have a mat to stretch on and warm up and down before exercising, but you could also invest in some bigger machines to help you get motivated. There are plenty of exercise machines available to choose from, it’s just deciding on the best for you. For example, if you always used to enjoy the cross trainer in the gym, why not buy one for your house? Vibration plates are also a great option, if you want to stand up and not move much, they do this for you and will help ease your body back into movement.

Stay consistent and workout when your child is sleeping

If you accidentally forget to exercise two or three days in a row, don’t let this stop you. Immediately start moving again when you feel ready and jump back into a routine. It’s a good idea to fit exercise in when your child is sleeping so you won’t be disturbed or need to stop to pick them up. If you would like to get out of the house to exercise and go to a class, this could also be an option if you don’t mind leaving your child with someone else for a short amount of time, once or twice a week.

Stay hydrated and rest enough after exercise

This is important, even if you haven’t recently had a baby, but be extra sure to keep hydrated after exercising especially if you’re breastfeeding. Dehydration can make you feel awful, and it isn’t difficult to keep a water bottle filled up and sip it throughout the day. Along with enough liquids, you should make sure you take rest days. Even take a rest if you have been doing small exercise routines as your body isn’t used to it.

There are small steps to take when you want to get back on it with your fitness journey and an exercise routine after pregnancy. The trick is to be consistent and not push yourself, as it could take a few months to get back to how you were before pregnancy, and this is okay and normal.