| When you are pregnant, your body goes through a lot | | | | will be helping your metabolism speed up so that it can |
| of changes ranging from physical changes, hence the | | | | help you reshape your body. |
| belly you now have, to hormonal and emotional | | | | If your doctor clears you, you can begin exercising as |
| changes. But getting your figure back and slimming | | | | soon as two weeks after giving birth. Don't be |
| your stomach back down to its pre-pregnancy size | | | | concerned with getting back into shape right away. |
| and shape will require some work that will not only | | | | Give yourself some time to heal and relax and get to |
| take care of the pouch your darling child created, but | | | | know your baby. If you feel the need to do something, |
| also infuse you with more energy and better mental | | | | do some gentle pelvic exercises and modified |
| outlook. | | | | crunches to help with the oblique muscles that cause |
| One thing every woman should keep in mind when | | | | 'love handles'. |
| planning to get their figure back is that it takes the | | | | Don't set unrealistic goals for yourself otherwise you |
| body approximately six weeks for the uterus to shrink | | | | feel that you need to meet them. It is best to take |
| to almost its former size - it never returns to the | | | | your time and ease yourself into a routine that will be |
| original configuration no matter what you do. The | | | | right for you. It will take anywhere from nine to twelve |
| muscles of the stomach take a little longer to return to | | | | months of constant exercise to see the results you |
| their proper length and elasticity, about three to six | | | | want. |
| months. | | | | Some of the best postpartum exercises you can do |
| You cannot expect to see results overnight, but you | | | | to help get back in shape include: Yoga and Pilates; |
| can help it along by doing postpartum exercises | | | | speed walking; cycling; swimming or aquatic aerobics; |
| specifically designed to help those muscles. Also, if this | | | | low impact aerobics; strength training with a |
| is the first pregnancy you've had, you will lose some of | | | | professional trainer; and cycling. Always make sure |
| the belly that you are worried about as your uterus | | | | you warm up and stretch properly. |
| and muscles begin to return to normal. | | | | You can add oblique exercises such as the pelvic |
| Muscles will atrophy and become weak if you do not | | | | exercises and crunches mentioned earlier to your |
| use and move them. A strengthening program should | | | | warm up. Make sure you wear a good supportive bra |
| be added to your exercise regime so you also work | | | | and try to exercise after breast-feeding so that they |
| the rest of the muscles in your body. You will be lifting | | | | are not heavy with milk and uncomfortable. Eat a |
| your new baby up and down in addition to the diaper | | | | sensible diet, drink plenty of water, and get as much |
| bag, the formula bottles...you get the idea. The back | | | | sleep as possible. You will be amazed at the way you |
| muscles should also be worked on in order to prevent | | | | feel and the results you get. Your body will be back to |
| injury to your lower back. By getting active, even if it is | | | | prenatal shape before you know it. |
| just taking a walk pushing a stroller to get started, you | | | | |