Monday 10 September 2012

The benefits of exercising after birth

Today's guest blogger for 'Baby Month' is Claire Mockridge, an Ante/Postnatal Fitness Expert! If you've just had a baby then her hints and tips below will prove invaluable.
 
Here's what she has to say! Enjoy.
 
 
Hello there.  I’m Claire Mockridge, an Ante/Postnatal Fitness Expert who’s helped over 850 pregnant and postnatal women stay fit during pregnancy and get fit after birth.
 
 
 
Exercise during pregnancy has many benefits, not just to you, but to your unborn baby too, and there’s definitely truth in the saying that “Fitter mums, have fitter babies”.  Now that you have a newborn to care for, it’s only natural that you want to give them the best start in life too, by getting yourself back into shape too.
When can I exercise after birth?
Generally speaking, you’re cleared for exercise 6-8 weeks after a natural birth, and 10-12 weeks following a c-section.
 
 
 What are the benefits of exercising after birth?
·         lose the baby weight
·         helps you get your pre-pregnancy fitness levels back again
·         reduced postnatal aches and pains eg back ache and stiff shoulders from constant lifting, feeding and caring for baby
·         helps strengthen and tone your muscles to help you with the physical demands of motherhood
·         improves your general well-being and lifts your mood
·         helps fight anxiety/insomnia
·         helps you relax and de-stress after a long day
·         gives you some ME time
·         aids your postnatal recovery
·         gets you out meeting other new mums
 
 
 
What sort of exercise is best after birth?
Pilates-based exercise, buggy workouts and/or postnatal indoor exercise classes are great for new mums.  It’s important though, that you find an exercise class that’s specifically for postnatal women, because you want to make sure you’re:
a) doing the right type of exercise for your postnatal body, and
b) performing it safely and effectively under correct instruction.
 
 
 
What if I can’t find a class locally?
If you can’t find a postnatal-specific class nearby, my Postnatal Fitness DVD - “Now it’s YOUR time” is every busy mums answer to exercising safely and effectively after birth:  http://www.mummiesandbuggies.co.uk/pages/DVDs.html
 
 
The DVD is jam-packed full of over 2 hours of footage and includes 3 x cardio sections, 3 x toning segments, 3 x Pilates workouts, focus on pelvic floor and 2 x stretching sequences.
 
You can mix and match the exercises you want to do, so, you could complete one entire workout eg 1 x cardio, 1 x toning and 1 x Pilates section; or just pop the DVD and focus on one particular Pilates section that you want to master, for example.
 
If you have a question about exercising during pregnancy, or after birth, do get in touch.  My Pre/Postnatal Fitness Blog answers FAQs about exercising here: http://clairemockridge.wordpress.com/
Or, connect with me here:
 
Claire Mockridge
Ante/Postnatal Fitness Expert
 
 
 
Many thanks to Claire for these fab hints and tips on Post Natal Fitness! Don't forget that here at Life's A Celebration we have some fantastic party boxes and if you've recently had a baby and want to host a "Welcome to the World" party then get in touch and I'm sure we can get you a fabulous party boxed up and sent out to you - stress free, just what you new mummies need!
 
Another great blog is lined up as part of Baby Month so keep watching folks!
 
Maxine

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