Getting back into shape after twin preg and ECsection.......

[Janberryxx]

My twins were born 9 weeks ago now, they,re fully breastfed on a very squashy (ie. Doesn't support my back very well) settee. My body feels sooooo out ofshape.My stomach muscles are useless, I'm getting lots of backache infact the top half of my body feels like it won't really support itself upright. I just feel utterly knackered!

Any suggestions as to how to get back into shape, how you got back into shape, how long it takes to really recover etc?

I think the key thing is to take it very easy to start with. I didn't do much exercise for a while later. When I started I did something quite gentle on my Wii Fit which meant I could stop as and when and also did it more often as it was easy to fit in to the hectic life with twins! But it really did the trick in terms of toning up and losing weight.

If you have someone who can watch the twins, a walk out of the house might be a good start. Fresh air, loosen you up and a bit of time to clear your head. All good.

Worth having a chat with your health visitor, mine left me a leaflet on toning the muscles but I threw it in the end because bfing twins made me lose too much weight and exercising was the last thing on my mind. I probably should do some toning exercises though!

I think toning would be good, Mumof. Funny, I was losing and losing weight and eating like a horse, but now I think I've put on weight.
Chutney, my partner has been trying to persuade me to get a Wii fit type thing. Are they pricey? Is that the actual name, "Wii Fit", or is that a general description? I wouldn't know what to go for. Could you tell me a bit more about what you were doing with it - sounds interesting...!

The Wii is a games console. Wii Fit is essentially a game for it that comes with a balance board. A bundle for both seems to be around £130 on Amazon at the moment - link

The balance board works as a scale and monitors how you do the exercises. It does a range of exercises, some yoga, some muscle toning and some are more aerobic, like steps and boxing. The system monitors your progress and you can vary what exercises you do, so it's not dull. Some of the games in it are fun.

Once I'd been doing that a while I got more intense games for the Wii like Sports Active which give a tougher workout. But I really like that it was at my own pace.

Sounds good, Chutney. Many thanks for the info.

I used to do very gentle pilates type exercises when I was breast feeding as I felt I was sitting there anyway so I might as well try and use the time to tone up too. I would try and get something to support your back and put a stool under your feet so you're not leaning over the babies. Then just do something along the lines of drawing in your stomach with your pelvic floor and holding for 5 counts then slowly releasing. You can play around with it, but try and use the muscles under your belly, rather than (or as well as) the muscles down the side of your stomach. That way you'll help bring all the muscles back together.
I've probably not explained that very well!

at 9 weeks they are so young, give yourself a break... you just grew 2 amazing little people.

I began in Jan to do slimming world (following the plan, not going to group - really hated that bit) and have the ea sports active fit 2 for the Wii (which imo is far better than wii fit). so far I've lost 2 stone and have 6lbs to go. Tummy's a bit wobbly but not 2 bad - will get to work jogging once weather improves. dtds are 6.5mo.

I have 18 wo twins, and go to buggyfit and pilates every week, you can take the babies in with you so its ideal. Also walk about 2 hours a day. I have lost 3 of the 3 1/2 stone I gained during the pregancy so far, just 1/2 stone to go! I didn't start an exercise programme until 12 weeks post birth though, you need to take it slowly as your body has been through a massive change and major abdominal surgery.

im a twin mummy to boys ,i gained 6st in pregnancy and lost it 4mths after birth ,healthy eating (if i got the chance to eat lol)and walking .and now 3yrs on ,it has stayed off x