Working Out After Pregnancy: A Guide for Moms | Woombie
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Becoming a mom is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences in life. After having a baby, you may wonder how to get back into shape. Working out after pregnancy can help you regain strength and energy while also providing emotional benefits like improved confidence, focus, and stress relief.
But getting back into the swing of things isn’t always easy, especially if it’s been some time since you worked out regularly or had any sort of fitness routine in place. That’s why we created this guide for moms looking to start exercising post-baby. We cover everything from what type of exercises are best to tips to make it easier to begin working out again so that every mom is informed about her options and feels confident taking steps towards her health goals. Let's get started!
Benefits of Postpartum Exercise
Exercising postpartum can provide a variety of both physical and emotional benefits. On the physical end, workouts after pregnancy can help you regain muscle strength and tone, improve posture, reduce body fat, and boost energy levels. Most importantly, they can help you strengthen pelvic muscles and the abdominal wall, which can, in turn, reduce back pain and improve bladder control.
Emotionally, regular exercise is known to increase self-confidence, reduce stress and anxiety levels, and sharpen focus. This is especially important for new moms, as the lack of sleep and overwhelming responsibility can lead to overwhelming stress levels. Exercise can be an excellent outlet for releasing that tension and helping you feel like your old self.
How Soon Should You Exercise After Giving Birth?
It’s important to remember that it takes time for your body to recover after pregnancy. Every woman is different, so make sure you get your doctor's clearance before beginning any exercise routine.
Generally speaking, though, if you had a normal, uncomplicated delivery, most doctors recommend waiting at least six weeks before starting an exercise program. You may also be cleared to start sooner if you had a Cesarean section or were active during pregnancy.
What Is Lagree? And Why It’s a Great Postpartum Workout
Lagree is a low-impact, full-body workout that can be tailored to any fitness level. It combines elements of Pilates and strength training for a challenging yet safe exercise experience. Lagree exercises focus on the entire body rather than specific muscle groups, making it perfect for postpartum moms who want an effective but gentle way to get back in shape.
Another reason Lagree is a perfect form of postpartum exercise is its very low impact, meaning there are no high-impact movements or jumps. This decreases the risk of injury and makes it easier to transition back into working out without risking your health or your baby's health.
And if you fall in love with Lagree, you don't even have to give it up once you recover fully — you can simply increase the difficulty of your workouts and keep challenging yourself!
Postpartum Fitness Tips
Set Your Goals and Priorities, but Be Realistic
Setting lofty goals and expectations for yourself can be tempting, especially after having a baby. But it’s essential to remember that your body needs time to heal and adjust and that it may take longer than you think to get back into pre-pregnancy shape.
Listening to your body is an excellent way to set realistic goals and priorities. Start small and build up gradually, without pushing yourself too hard. If something doesn’t feel right or you’re too tired, take a break and return to it when you’re feeling better.
Prioritize Rest and Sleep
While getting back in shape feels great, nothing feels better than a good night of sleep. Prioritizing rest and sleep is one of the best ways to ensure your postpartum fitness routine goes smoothly. So make sure you get enough rest, nurture yourself with relaxation activities, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutrient-rich foods that will give you the energy you need for exercise.
Having a steady sleep schedule with a new baby is tough, so you need to take every moment and use it to your advantage.
You’ll Need to Be Flexible
Having a baby means having to be flexible. You may have to move your workouts around and switch up your routine depending on your schedule or the needs of your babe. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t hit every goal you set — just do what you can, when you can, and don’t forget to enjoy the process.
Do Your Best But Don’t Push Yourself too Hard
It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different. What works for one person may not work for you, so don’t compare yourself to other new moms or feel you need to rush into things.
Keep in mind that it took nine months for your body to change and grow during pregnancy, so it’s unreasonable to expect a dramatic transformation in just a few weeks or months. Listen to your body and do your best, but don’t push yourself too hard.
Take Care of Yourself
Even though nothing is more important than your newborn baby, you can't forget to take care of yourself. Remember, a happy mom equals a happy baby. So allow yourself to take the time you need for exercise and self-care.
It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it when you feel strong, energetic, and ready to enjoy life with your new bundle of joy.
Conclusion
Getting back in shape after having a baby can be daunting, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be. Lagree is an excellent form of postpartum exercise that provides a full-body workout while being low-impact and safe. It's also easy to adjust the intensity of your workouts as you get stronger and more comfortable.
The most important thing you can do is listen to your body, prioritize rest and sleep, be flexible with your routine, and take care of yourself. Doing these things will help you get back in shape while feeling strong and energized. So don’t let postpartum fitness intimidate you. Embrace it as a way to take care of yourself. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for your first Lagree Fit 415 class today and see it yourself!
