6 Steps To Getting Your Body Back After Baby

As wonderful as motherhood can be, pregnancy can take a toll on a woman’s body. Additionally, many women have some trouble getting their pre-pregnancy body back. All of these changes not only affect the body but also the mind and emotions. It’s not easy watching your once flat stomach stretch out and succumb to extra fat, stretch marks, and sagginess. NO WORRIES! Though you may not see exactly the same body back, you can come close with some perseverance and dedication. But first, consult you doctor to get cleared before you engage in physical activity. Here are my steps to getting your body back after baby.

Getting Your Body Back After Baby #1: Set Achievable Goals

Setting goals is so important whenever you have a challenging feat to accomplish. This starts with understanding what is possible and what you are willing to do. In this case, your weight loss goals might be a good place to start. I recommend writing down your desires and put them on a measurable scale. This article at www.EliteDaily.com talks about why writing down your goals and the changes you want to make is effective not only when it comes to making healthy body changes, but for any kind of goal at all.

One thing that I’ve always done while achieving health goals is to make sure I have more than one way to measure success. In other words, I don’t just look at the scale. I do body measurements, take photos, write down how I feel, and keep track of each and every victory! Tracking your overall health is the best way to make fitness a lifestyle that lasts. Check out this helpful article at Www.WomensHealthMag.com.

Getting Your Body Back After Baby #2: Baby Steps

You are supposed to keep somewhat active all throughout pregnancy, but a lot of women simply don’t. If you’ve been inactive for a while, don’t be surprised if your mobility and energy levels are nowhere near where they used to be. Start off with gentler exercises, such as walking. Get used to your body exerting itself again and ramp it up bit by bit.

It’s also important to vary your workouts so you don’t fatigue too badly. Remember, you have a baby to care for. If you’re sore, think about whether there’s another exercise you could do that would benefit you without risking injury. Do some research about post pregnancy and fitness injury at sites like www.WebMD.com. Listen to your body at all times. 

Getting Your Body Back After Baby #3: Follow a Leader

How do you get the past the urge to simply quit or take shortcuts? One of the best ways I have found to get into shape is to join a fitness class or video program. For moms, classes like www.MomsIntoFitness.com offer support and the kind of advice and motivation it takes to succeed. Whether you take an online class or join one at the gym, having someone to tell you what to do and when to do it can bring confidence. It’s important to also understand how your body has changed. These fitness experts are trained to cut through the tough spots post-pregnancy body’s experience. To further increase your motivation, having a friend tough it out with you is a perfect way to knock out your goals.

Getting Your Body Back After Baby #4: Use Music

There’s no denying the power that music has to get us going! Working out to your favorite tunes makes the work more enjoyable. Not to mention, you can do it with your baby in the room and entertain him/her at the same time. The distraction of music alone has also shown to improve athletic performance. If you listen to faster music during aerobic exercises, you push yourself a little harder and go a little faster without really feeling the extra strain. Music also elevates your mood, meaning you’re less likely to focus on the strain that comes with exercise. I love this site www.GymRadio.com for the perfect fitness playlist. I also have one on Pandora!

Getting Your Body Back After Baby #5: Schedule Your Workouts

If you’re like me, if you don’t put it on the calendar, it won’t happen. I recommend treating your fitness routines as important appointments. Why? Because they are! YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS! If you have trouble finding the time during the day, how about waking up early  and getting it done before everything else?   First of all, it gets your energy levels up to handle mommy stuff. Additionally, there’s an important mental factor involved, too. By making the hard choice earlier, you’re a lot more likely to approach the rest of the day with the same health-oriented attitude. Whereas if you try to leave it until later in the day, you might be tired and stressed from work or looking after the kids and be more likely to skip it entirely.

Getting Your Body Back After Baby #6: Reward Yourself

As you get into exercise more and more, it begins to naturally feel rewarding. If you’re not quite there yet, consider creating a reward system for yourself. The kind of non-food rewards mentioned at www.SparkPeople.com have a real incentivization value to them. Beyond just being content in the knowledge that you will one day have the body you want, it creates a positive feedback loop so you associate exercise not with the pain and toil, but with the sense of accomplishment that the reward signifies. Remember to consider each forward step a victory. Perfectionism has no place if you want to reach your goals and keep your confidence and sanity.

**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your health care provider. Women’s lifelink, it’s owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.