The
pregnancy belly will disappear after the baby is born.
I wish this were true! For some women it does disappear quickly,
but those are the lucky ones whose genetics played a big role
in not only their pregnancy but also in their postpartum months.
Over time the swelling of the abdomen decreases and your body
returns to a non-pregnancy state. Once the uterus is back
to its normal size, the rest of the pooch is essentially added
weight gain, droopy skin and sagging muscles. A postnatal
fitness workout like StrollerFit or its mommymuscle mom and
baby fitness program will zap that tummy back into shape.
My
abs will never be flat again.
Everyone can tighten the muscles back up. It takes work and
know-how, but once you follow through the muscles will respond
and get very close to their pre-pregnancy size. They might
be even better!
Nursing
moms should not work out.
Totally false! All moms should work out unless the doctor
gives a good reason not to. Moderate physical activity is
recommended for everyone. Nursing moms do need to make sure
they are eating enough calories and drinking enough fluid
to support milk production. Add 10 oz of additional non-caffeine
fluids for every ½ hour you are exercising. Breastfeeding
moms also need to pay close attention to alignment and form
and should seek a professional’s help to make sure they
are on the right track. Make sure you’re stretching
out the chest muscles and strengthening the muscles of the
upper back. This will help regain posture, keeping those shoulders
back and chin lifted. Proper support is critical, so all nursing
moms need to be fitted for a sports bra.
Your
feet change only during pregnancy but not after.
A woman’s foot changes during pregnancy and can change
even more afterward. Have your feet re-measured every six
months after pregnancy for 18 months. Proper footing will
help you avoid heel pain and calf discomfort. Whenever you
get your child’s foot measured, get yours measured too!
It
is not possible to like your body better after pregnancy.
Everything you do prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and
post-pregnancy has an effect on how you feel about your body
now. You can learn to love it! When you treat it right through
diet and exercise it will love you back and the results will
be amazing.
Chasing
after kids and housework are workout enough.
If only it were true. Housework and keeping up with the little
ones will not protect your bone mass or make your heart and
lungs stronger. It may help burn some extra calories, but
the truth is we must exercise regularly to earn a healthy
strong body. Consistent workouts – including both strength
training and cardiovascular efforts – will help you
feel better every day while performing all those motherly
duties!
I
will have more time tomorrow, the next day, or maybe next
week.
There’s no time like the present! Whether you squeeze
in 15 minutes now, 15 minutes later, an hour here or there,
it all adds up. More calories going out than coming in will
get that weight off and keep it off. And when you put off
the workout, you put off taking off the weight.
About
the Author: Mary Beth Knight is Chief Fitness Director
for StrollerFit Exercise with Your Baby and its mommymuscle
line of mom-and-baby fitness products and DVDs. For more information
on how you can get your family on the path to a fit and healthy
lifestyle, or to find a StrollerFit class near you, visit
www.strollerfit.com
and www.mommymuscle.com.
The content provided in this column is not intended to be
a substitute for professional medical advice, consultation,
treatment or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician
or other qualified health provider with any questions you
may have regarding a medical condition before beginning a
new exercise and nutrition regimen.
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