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Resuming exercise after pregnancy…
I’m officially 8 weeks postpartum and starting to put a little more time and energy into my exercise routine.
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you know I’ve been walking since just a few days postpartum. The walks were very short to begin with and have gradually gotten longer over time. On a good day I’ll walk for about 45 minutes pushing our double BOB. Pushing that thing up hill is a great workout for the legs & booty.
1 week postpartum, wearing Soybu Peace Hoody & Soybu Sylvie Capri
From week 1 – week 7 I focused on walks and gentle stretches/Pilates exercises when I felt like my body needed some TLC. I didn’t focus on “working out,” but rather just listening to my body and moving on a regular basis. And to be honest, I only sit down to nurse these days so it’s not like I’ve had a chance to feel lazy. Kids are a lot of work!
I had my postpartum check-up 7.5 weeks after my delivery. My doctor gave me the green light to resume exercise and so now I’m ready to kick it up a notch.
Although I’ve been itching to run again, I’m reminding myself…CORE FIRST.
Thankfully I’ve never had any issues personally, but from working with postpartum clients I know how important it is to rebuild core strength prior to resuming high intensity forms of exercise (running, HIIT, aerobics, CrossFit, interval training, etc.). Doing too much too soon can wreak havoc on the pelvic floor which can also affect your lower back and overall alignment.
A lot of women are so focused on losing the baby weight that they push themselves too hard and skip crucial steps in caring for the postpartum body. The abdominals and pelvic floor go through a lot of changes during pregnancy and need time to recover. That’s why waiting until your doctor gives you clearance is so important, along with starting with smart, strategic exercises that will rebuild your core strength from the ground up.
Now that I’m 8 weeks postpartum I’m focusing on short Pilates & barre workouts 2-3x per week and walking on a regular basis.
In the next week or so I’ll start doing walk/runs to build endurance and stamina (run 5 minutes, walk 5 minutes, repeat). It’s always rough at the beginning! I still remember my first postpartum run after my first pregnancy: 2 sports bras, 3 bottles of water, 2 miles and a whole lot of sweat. 🙂
I also want to give a little shoutout to one of my brand partners, Soybu. I wore their clothes throughout my entire pregnancy and am now living in them as my body transforms yet again. Their clothes are such a great quality and are perfect for women who want to feel pulled together and comfortable at the same time. Here are a few of the latest outfits they’ve sent me to enjoy…
Alma Dolman in Terra Blue, Levity Bra in Mandala & Killer Caboose Leggings in Charcoal
Hayden Legging in Black, Peace Hoody in Storm and Graphic Tee in Ethereal Blue
How perfect is that graphic tee for The Balanced Life?
I’ll keep you posted on how things go as I keep working on my fitness…
I’m curious: if you’ve had a baby when and how did you resume exercise after pregnancy?
xo,
PS – If you’re interested in rebuilding your core muscles after pregnancy be sure to check out The Balanced Life Sisterhood!
Robin Long
Robin Long, founder and CEO of Lindywell, certified Pilates instructor, Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, and author of 'Well to the Core,' blends 15 years of expertise with a lifelong commitment to holistic health.
Learn more about Robin Long
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7 thoughts on “Resuming exercise after pregnancy…”
thank you for always keeping us with you on your journey! love the outfit and good idea!
I am due on the 24th and I am so nervous about resuming my workouts after baby comes. I have been doing your prenatal pilates series and I have been loving those! I am excited for your postpartum pilates series too!
Great outfit in your photo, you’re looking so strong! xo
My first pregnancy was so different from the second, in terms of exercise and then postpartum recovery. Above all like you said, I listened to my body. And eventually over time, I realized that my body is a lot stronger now than it ever has been. 🙂 You look wonderful, Robin! Keep up the awesome work!
1st baby starting walking days after birth. Between nursing and walking body got back into shape quickly. Baby #2 entirely different story, walking was a few times per week that always landed me at the park -always tried to encourage the far park as the pick of the day. Shout out to the double BOB stroller -my favorite! I still push my 5 year old & 3 year olds when they let me “go for a long walk”
Pilates after baby 2 is really what got me back to shape.
Thanks to in home with robin and a girl teaching out of her house.
I am 3 weeks postpartum and after a traumatic emergency c-section delivery I am nervous about my post pregnancy work out routine. In addition, I am wondering if I will ever get rid of this 5 month baby bump! I am 7 lbs away from my pre-baby weight of 115 but my stomach still looks completely pregnant. Not sure if this is normal for my body or if I have a DR issue. I have been researching pelvic floor exercise routines in preperation for when I can workout again. Your blog as been vital in educating me on how to get my body back in shape. I can’t wait to get strong again!!
I agree that listening to your body is the way to go. Coming from CrossFit I wanted to get back into regular workouts asap but taking it slow was the best way to get back the swing of things.