| v> | | | | benefits. Most babies will enjoy dancing with you even |
| A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight | | | | when they’re not tired and cranky. As she gets |
| gain. But now that baby’s here, you’re | | | | older your dance dates will probably be greeted with |
| probably wishing those extra pounds would hurry up | | | | giggles and squeals of delight. |
| and disappear! While it won’t happen overnight, | | | | Remember though that moderation in your exercise |
| these six simple tips can help you lose that extra | | | | program is the key. Even if you bounce back quickly |
| weight in a healthy way. (If you’re looking for | | | | from your baby’s birth and are feeling very |
| parts 1 and 2 of this article, you can find them both at | | | | energetic, be sure to start slowly and increase your |
| 5) Get moderate exercise on a regular basis. Of | | | | exercise level gradually. Too much too soon can set |
| course, you should get the go ahead from your doctor | | | | you back by causing you to feel exhausted later on in |
| first, and you will likely need to wait longer if | | | | the day. This can lead to grouchiness or a bout of the |
| you’ve had a caesarean birth, but most new | | | | baby blues, neither of which will motivate you to |
| moms can begin a gentle fitness program very soon | | | | continue exercising! Remember the old adage, |
| after their baby is born. | | | | always leave em wanting more. This should |
| Exercise is definitely one of those things that most of | | | | be your fitness mantra in the first few postpartum |
| us feel obligated to do and few of us seem to enjoy. | | | | months. In other words, stop before you’ve had |
| In fact, for many moms, having a new baby seems to | | | | enough and you’ll be more likely to continue with |
| be a great excuse not to exercise. After all, | | | | your fitness program the next day. |
| you’re legitimately busy, sleep-deprived, and | | | | 6) Wear your baby often. Using a sling or carrier to |
| probably a bit nervous about leaving your precious | | | | keep baby close during the day will make your baby |
| bundle with someone else while you head to the gym. | | | | happier, plus it will give you a little extra weight to pack |
| But wait! Who ever said you had to pump iron, punch | | | | around as you do your daily chores and activities. It |
| a bag or jump around in a fitness class for an hour to | | | | may not seem like much, but as your baby grows |
| get your exercise? | | | | you’ll be increasing the amount of weight |
| The whole key to sticking with a fitness program is to | | | | you’re carrying while you go about your daily |
| choose an activity you enjoy. If you enjoy hiking | | | | routines. And that adds up to extra weight loss for |
| outdoors, why not invest in a baby carrier so you and | | | | you. |
| your baby can do this together? There are all kinds of | | | | Instead of using a stroller when you take a walk, put |
| baby trailers on the market now so your baby can join | | | | baby in the carrier. Instead of putting her in a swing or |
| you on a bike ride or even a cross country ski outing if | | | | rocking seat, rock her to sleep in your arms or in your |
| these are activities you enjoy. If swimming is fun for | | | | baby carrier while you stand and gently bounce to and |
| you, why not offer to take a friend’s teenager | | | | fro. When you go to the grocery store, carry her in a |
| to the pool. She can sit close by with your baby on the | | | | sling instead of putting her in the shopping cart. In fact, if |
| pool deck while you do a few lengths, and then you | | | | you’re lucky enough to live within walking |
| and your baby can enjoy a leisurely lunch or cup of | | | | distance of your grocery store, you can even make |
| tea while the teen gets a chance to play in the pool in | | | | this a daily outing to pick up a few items each time. |
| return for helping you out. Yoga classes for moms and | | | | Your baby will enjoy the extra closeness of being in a |
| babies are also popular now, and this can be a very | | | | sling or carrier as you do laundry, tend the garden, or |
| enjoyable and relaxing way to spend time with your | | | | even take some time out for a hobby like bird |
| baby while you exercise. | | | | watching. Babies in our society seem to spend so |
| For the new mom who wasn’t active before | | | | much time strapped into various pieces of equipment. |
| pregnancy, gentle forms of exercise such as taking a | | | | Most will love the opportunity to be closer to the |
| stroll are ideal. If you can find another new mom close | | | | person they most adoreyou! |
| by to share this time with, your walks will become a | | | | The bonus for mom is that extra weight to carry |
| pleasant activity that you look forward to, instead of | | | | equals extra calories burned. Over the course of a |
| part of your dreaded post-natal fitness program. If | | | | year this can add up to significant weight loss, in a |
| your health unit or community nursing program offers a | | | | very healthy way for all concerned. Depending on how |
| drop in program for new moms you will be able to | | | | often you carry your baby, and how much she weighs, |
| connect with other moms there. Or perhaps | | | | you can easily burn an extra 100-200 calories a day |
| you’ve stayed in touch with a mom you met in | | | | just by carrying her along for part of your day. |
| your pre-natal classes. As you start to feel more | | | | Anytime you’re on the go, try to carry your |
| energetic you can increase the length and the intensity | | | | baby with you and you’ll be getting the benefit |
| of your walks. Ans if the weather is bad you can | | | | of the increased calorie burn that comes with packing |
| always walk around the mall and enjoy the sights. | | | | around an extra 10, 15, or 20 pounds. |
| Gentle dancing or rocking while holding your baby is | | | | And there you have it, six painless ways to lose those |
| also excellent exercise that both of you can enjoy. | | | | extra pregnancy pounds effortlessly and without |
| When your baby is fussy or tired and nursing her | | | | stress. Remember, your baby won’t be small |
| doesn’t seem to be helping, why not put on | | | | for long so try not to get too preoccupied with weight |
| some music and introduce her to your favourite dance | | | | loss. If you eat well most of the time, get some |
| steps? She won’t mind if you don’t get | | | | moderate exercise on a regular basis, and follow the |
| the steps right, she’ll just enjoy being close to | | | | rest of the tips in this article series, you’ll get |
| you while you move, and you’ll get the fitness | | | | back in shape with hardly a second thought. |