It is part of the course that you
will gain a few pounds in pregnancy. With a healthy and varied diet, as well as
remaining as active as possible during pregnancy combined with plenty of rest
will all help to keep your weight in check.
Many women worry about losing the
post-baby weight. The good news is that post-baby weight gain is not here to
stay.
Take a look at these top five
exercises from HARTMANN Direct
for promoting weight loss once your baby has arrived.
#1
Get Walking
The right start to start exercising again will depend on your and the
amount of time your body needs to heal. Don’t rush into exercising and always
make sure you follow the advice of your midwife, health professional or doctor.
But a great exercise to start
with is walking. In the first few weeks, take a stroll every now and then with
baby in the buggy. Just enjoy the fresh air and being out and about. This will
help your confidence, as well as promote healing.
Once you are healed and have been
giving the green light to start exercising again, increase these walks to a
daily occurrence if you can. On some days, take longer walks in time and
distance, but on other days take a shorter walk but walk faster to burn a few
extra calories.
#2
Yoga and/or Pilates
Yoga and Pilates are both
excellent exercises no matter what you age or current fitness status. They are
also perfect post-pregnancy to get back into shape, but getting fitter and
toning too.
Yoga works different muscles and
can be great for getting your pelvic floor back into shape after pregnancy and
birth too.
Only attend classes run by a
certified Yoga or Pilates instructor, and don’t over face yourself by joining
an advanced class before you are ready.
There are different types of yoga
classes too, so try out a few beginner classes and see which suit you. There
are also classes available for pregnant women and for ladies after birth.
#3 Swim
Swimming is a great activity for
exercising the body without placing undue stress on joints. Start back nice and
gently, with a few laps of the pool working your way up to short bursts of
several laps as fast as you can.
Like walking, vary the exercise
that you do so that vary the muscle groups you use and increase cardio-workout
too.
If you find swimming up and down
the pool a bit boring, there are other forms of water exercise that work really
well;
·
Aquaerobics
– loads of fun, aerobics in water is a great way to increase resistance
creating a great work out.
·
Swim with
baby sessions – many leisure
centres and hotel pools hold swimming sessions especially for parents and
babies. A great way to up the activity in your day, it is also a great way to
make friends with other parents.
·
Wild
swimming – swimming in groups in the sea, rivers or lakes is invigorating
and great exercise. Get yourself a wetsuit and a hat, enjoy a refreshing dip
with fellow enthusiasts.
#4
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient practice.
It combines deep breathing with deep, flowing exercises. Originally developed
in 13th century China as a martial art, it is used today by people
across the world as a means of exercise and relaxation.
Like yoga, there will be classes
across your local area. You can take the classes at your own pace, picking up
speed and depth of movement as you become more accustomed to this form of
exercise.
Incredibly toning, it is also a
form of exercise that can be practiced at home too. Some new mums use it to
help them relax in an evening, whilst you can also practice your technique
outside in the fresh air.
#5 HIIT
For when you are truly healed and
ready to torch the calories take a look at HIIT. High Intensity Interval
Training or HIIT is tipped to be the latest exercising
trend in 2017.
There are many classes starting
across the country with local gyms providing sessions not only in the gym but
outside in the park, on the beach, lake side and so on.
The idea is that short bursts of
high intensity training produces a cardio affect that burns calories efficiently.
Using all kinds of different forms of exercise, it is a bit like circuit
training but sexier.
Exercise and being out in the
fresh air is essential for new parents and their new baby. For mum, it helps to
keep post-natal
depression in check, and can also be a great way to bond with your baby.
HARTMANN
Direct are an online supplier of
incontinence products and pads. Pads are useful for managing incontinence
during pregnancy, and great for post-birth work outs too.