Post Pregnancy Fitness: Why Should I Bother?

Do you need four good reasons to get physically and mentally fit? Read on…

‘Me’ Time

While you might feel like you are being selfish taking some time out for yourself, this will make you a better mum in the long run. By having time out you will de-stress, have more energy, enthusiasm and patience when you get back to your little one. This ‘me’ time doesn’t have to be exercise either, just time doing something you enjoy will improve your mental fitness. Besides, if you don’t go away for a little while you miss out on your little ones excitement at seeing you come back!

I am Woman… not just Mummy

Taking time to yourself will also help you to feel like you are still yourself, the woman you were before you got pregnant, not just a mum. Hopefully you are loving being a mum and will do so more and more as you get used to the role, however it is important that you keep on being a person in your own right and not just defined as your role as a mum.

New Wardrobe vs Getting your Skinny on

By getting your skinny on I don’t mean getting thin enough to be the next catwalk model! I mean getting back to the size you were before you were pregnant. You will feel more confident, save money as you won’t need to buy a new bigger wardrobe and feel like you own your own body again.

The best part is if you use exercise to get back in shape you will also regain any fitness and strength you lost during pregnancy. This will help you to keep up with your little one when they get mobile as well as giving you the strength to lift and carry them and all their gear without backaches and other muscle soreness becoming part of your daily life.

Reducing the Risk of Post Natal Depression

You have probably been told this by your obstetrician, midwife and health nurse, but it is true - taking the time to fit in a bit of exercise a few times a week will decrease your risk of post natal depression. A short walk each day is enough to make a difference. This is especially important if you have a history of depression.

So what are you waiting for? Start making time for yourself and a bit of exercise!

4 Motivators – Why I became interested in post pregnancy fitness

1. Frustration

During my pregnancy I had trouble with pre-eclampsia, resulting in being ordered to rest up, I wasn’t even allowed to go for walks! I ended up having to have a cesarean. I remember on my second day in hospital being over the moon when I managed to shower myself without help, and again later that day when I walked to the door of the next room along the corridor. I also remember the sense of frustration at not being able to do a lot of small things on my own, things like getting in and out of bed. This frustration was my first motivator to get back in shape as quickly as possible.

2. Time Out

Over the following weeks as I slowly became able to move more freely I got excited each time I could walk further up the street or each time I did something else without help. By my 6 week checkup I was keen to get the all clear to get back into the gym and start working on getting my body back. I’ve always been an active person; I’ve always played sports and spent many hours a week at the gym. I’ve always been an active person; I’ve always played sports and spent many hours a week at the gym. My gym sessions have always been my time out to myself and I was missing this aspect of my workouts.

3. Health

At the 6 week checkup I got an extra stab of motivation. My obstetrician made it very clear to me that it would be very unwise to get pregnant again without loosing all the extra weight I had put on during pregnancy, and it would be better to loose some additional weight to reduce the chance of having the same complications in the next pregnancy. I set myself a goal to loose the 18 extra kg I was carrying from pregnancy as well as an additional 10 kg. I knew that I was in for a lot of hard work, as even though I have always been a very active and fit person, I have also always been slightly overweight.

4. Siblings

My final motivator is my desire to give my child a sibling. I grew up with a brother and sister and want my child to also have a sibling. Every time I feel like pigging out on chocolate or skipping a workout, I remind myself that I am doing this for my baby to be able to have a sibling.