| The key to post pregnancy exercises is not to rush in | | | | the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles. |
| too quickly. If you are too impatient to see changes | | | | Pelvic tilting exercises need to be done in order to |
| you run the risk of causing major joint damage and | | | | tighten the stomach muscles - don't do sit ups in the |
| possible long term weight gain problems. | | | | early stages because doing so could well leave you |
| Tiredness and lethargy are factors which will dictate | | | | with a rounded stomach for the rest of your life. |
| whether you can commit to a programme of gentle | | | | Gentle aerobic or fat burning exercises such as |
| exercise. If you don't get enough sleep you will | | | | walking with a pushchair is ideal, it is low intensity, |
| constantly feel tired and drained. You need to prioritise, | | | | provides support and ensures both you and your baby |
| so instead of doing housework when your baby is | | | | get plenty of fresh air. This needs to be progressed |
| sleeping use that time to take a nap yourself. | | | | slowly but you should regularly be increasing what you |
| As the days go by, you will naturally recover and get | | | | are doing. |
| stronger. You will find you have more energy which will | | | | A healthy diet is vital during pregnancy but just as |
| help you to stay on top of things much easier, but for | | | | important now, for both you and your baby if you are |
| now don't worry about getting everything right. | | | | breastfeeding. Get this right and you have the potential |
| Becoming more active should be your priority because | | | | to work with your body's hormones to get in to the |
| this will boost energy levels and confidence, helping you | | | | best shape of your life, get it wrong and you could |
| to be more patient with your baby and making you | | | | have a weight problem for as long as you live. |
| feel more positive. | | | | The type of post pregnancy exercises you choose |
| The following 4 elements should be included in any | | | | shouldn't be too demanding, they also need to fit in to |
| post pregnancy exercise plan: | | | | your new lifestyle and be something that you enjoy |
| Pelvic floor exercises - these can be started straight | | | | doing. |
| away and practised a few times each day to improve | | | | |