How soon after giving birth did u get back to yr exercise routine?

[anotherbitofcake]

I was a runner! Stopped at about 6 months preg. Carried on with light gym stuff, yoga, swimming and walking.

When did you manage to start exercising again in general and also how long did it take you to feel like you were back to pre preg shape?

Also any tricks to fit in LO around exercise? As v aware now can't just lace up trainers and go!!

I don't want to overdo things but really think getting back into shape will help me feel better, more like the old me, and will help relax me - its hard work being a new mummy!

DS is 5 months, and although i went back to exercise after 6 weeks, I'm nowhere near my old routine as there just isn't time for it and often has to take a back seat to DS's needs.

I'm still 1 stone over my pre-pregnancy weight too and im finding it hard to shift. I'm going for walks most days and getting to the gym for at least 1 class per week at the moment but i know i need to do more if im to get back to how i was before.

I do however, think that this is the new normal, and ill never totally get my pre-pregnancy shape back, although ill keep on trying!

I'd take it gradually - start with walks with the baby in a buggy or sling. Add some hills. Then you can run with the buggy when you feel up to it....I still do this with a 21 month old, as it's the easiest way to fit running in - she goes to sleep, I get a good workout.

Are there any mum + baby exercise classes near you? I did 'Running Mums' with buggies in the park and Buggyfit too (which was more strength-ish, less running). There is also Mum + baby yoga and pilates near me, as well as Bootcamp style classes. The good thing about groups like that is that usually people running them should have qualifications in postnatal fitness (check that they do!)....so are good at advising on how to get back to exercise, not doing too much too soon etc. Also a good way to combine exercise and something social.

DS is four months and I swam a lot up until birth. Had emcs so did gentle walking from day nine. Very short distances. Then up to20 mins.

From tomorrow the fitness starts properly one stone to shift at least and doing ww but slow result. Going to gym/swim if I can but getting out with the pram for at least an hour.

Cycling is good once they're old enough for a bike seat.

Sorry for delayed reply - it's years now since I was in your situation but hope this might help. I too was/am a runner who swam throughout my pregnancies after abandoning running at the 12-wk stage. I made do with daily brisk walks post-births until babes were 12 wks old, then started running 2-3 times a week for about 30 mins, in the evening if DH was back early enough and/or weekends, at a v steady pace, building up time and distance gradually over the next few months. If you're a dedicated runner, as I am, there's no substitute for the feel-good factor it gives you, and hard though it was getting back to my former fitness, the all-round benefits were huge when my kids were tiny.

You sound very similar to me! I did my last 10k race at the 6 month point and then stuck to light weights, waking uphill on treadmill and cross trainer. Plus pregnancy Pilates and a swim class. I had a pretty tricky delivery including forceps and post delivery theatre work (won't go into details but you can imagine!!) I waited 3 weeks and then started gentle gym sessions. Didn't run until 10 weeks. Did a LOT of walking though, pushing a heavy buggy. Walked everywhere. Gradually moved back to a mixture of running, gym (when I could) and DVDs. By the 5 month point I would say I was as fit as pre pregnancy and actually slighter lighter, although that could have been a behemoth fat bf baby.

Thanks all. Quite enlightening. I wanted to aim for a mara in end oct. suppose this might be pushing it a little?! Am finding it tough walking a mile at the mo! Did u do any DVDs - am also thinking how to fit in with LO. With dark nights DH won't be home till gone dark so would only be able to jog at weekends at mo

Hmm my advice would be to definitely leave the marathon for this year and just concentrate on getting yourself back to fitness gradually, taking into account your limitations. I've never gone for fitness DVDs but I do work out at home with a gym ball and hand weights, doing strength/resistance sessions twice a week. I had a couple of classes at home with a personal trainer to get me started (this when my DS was a baby), but I can recommend a really good book Exercise Ball For Weight Loss by Lucy Knight. Hope this helps

Very easy workouts at 12 weeks (I'd had a section). The gym was an escape and I wasn't lifting weights heavier than a baby anyway! It was just nice to have a bit of peace for the odd hour once or twice a week.

a month, but I also exercised pretty much til the end and had an easy birth. Started with Bodypump, as no jumping there.

Never. Oldest dc is now 10.

I am yet another Jillian Michaels fan (see all the Shred threads on here!) there is a reason she is so popular- her stuff works and doesn't take up loads of time so you can fit in around naps. 30 Day Shred DVD is cheap and an excellent workout. You will need weights (lights ones to begin with.) It is pretty hard but only 20 minutes! 3 levels that you work through. You need to make sure you are ok to do sit ups, and there is some jumping (although nearly every exercise is shown with a modified version.) It's challenging but doesn't take long.

Tried at 12 weeks, went for a run and not only found my legs were useless bu I also peed myself! Did some gentle yoga for a couple of months to build some strength in my core and now ds is 7 months old I've just started c25k aswell as 30 day shred. I prefer running at night as don't feel so self conscious! It's hard getting used to the idea that I'm nowhere near the level of fitness I was pre-pregnancy and it'll take a while to regain that now I've got a little person demanding my attention 99% of the time!

I couldn't exercise whilst pregnant and am usually fairly fit. I had an emcs with dc1 and started running gently at 10/12 weeks and built up from there, I ran a marathon 14 months after having my dc1, and he came with me on 90% of my training sessions. I now have a dc2 and am pregnant with dc3, so running shoes are having another rest, I do also run with a double buggy as dh works late, it's great for toning up your arms, and the dc do really like it, wish the banter was more constructive though "run faster mummy" is the usual phrase :)

I would put the marathon on hold this year too.

Are you breastfeeding? I find that it saps my energy (I guess just using a lot of calories) and that makes longer endurance stuff difficult. But maybe I'm just a wuss.

Yes bf. also doubly incontinent post forceps so might take a bit longer to start running. Will look into jillian michaels and get walking now and cross fingers can start doing a bit more come spring