When/how did you start workouts postpartum?

F

FitNut

Cathlete
Just wonderng when you gals started your workouts after delivery? I am dying to get back into it but am no where ready physically. My stomach, uterus muscles are still really sore. Plus I have this weird pressure down there near my episiotomy and above. I had a really fast labor so doc said it took a serious toll on my body. I also have some carpul tunnel in my right arm that I can't wait to go away!

So, just wondering how you eased yourself back into it? I am thinking of starting with some upper body wts at 2wks postpartum. But am not sure when I can safely do some mild cardio?

My doc recommended not starting anything hardcore until 6wks postpartum. He reminded me it is much easier to heal properly the first time than to push myself and end up hurt and not be able to workout for longer!

Also, have you been using the new set of tapes, Body Blast? I haven't bought them yet as I was keeping them for after baby:) If you're using them, how are you using them.

Also, are you focusing more on cardio or wts to kick off this fat???

Any tips, suggestions will be much appreciated. :+
 
Hi again Fitnut! I am still pregnant with my second, but with my first, I started working out about 2 weeks postpartum. I just did some of the easier Firms at first. I tried to combine workouts like Boot Camp or total body workouts alternated with cardio. It seemed to get the weight off fast and then I could get back to heavier training. I was anxious too! My doctor wasn't too happy that I started back so soon, but she told me to listen to my body. I don't remember exactly when I was back to doing Cathe, but I think that it was around 3-4 weeks. Most importantly: LISTEN TO HOW YOUR BODY FEELS!!!!!! I'm so happy for you, Fitnut! Have fun and enjoy your new liitle muffin!
 
Once again , congrats. Those first 2 weeks, I was too sore and too tired to work out. I began back at 2 weeks doing pregnancy tapes, walks and buns of steel postpartum tape. Around week 4 I started doing my firms modified low. I followed doctor's advice and resumed high impact at week 6, after my 6 week check up. I really like the bostblast series and find that some of the shorter premixes work well with a fussy newborn. Despite waiting for my intense workouts, I have almost lost all the weight( baby is 4 1/2 months old) and was able to resume my high impact with no difficulty at 6 weeks. I did have to work my way back up with weights. For now, enjoy that new baby of yours and get rest when you can.
 
i think i will order intensity series on dvd 5 weeks post partum --something to aspire to... i just love body blast dvd's (what i was able to do prior to delivery).

Melanie
Baby Justin born 1/17/04

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"
 
I waited until 5 1/2 weeks post partum to do any exercise at all!

I figured my po-po just expanded 10 cm+, I'm bleeding like crazy, and I have a beautiful little baby that is demanding all of my attention- what better reason to take it easy!

PS- I gained 40 pounds total, and at 5 months post partum, I now only have like 9 pounds to go. I am not worried about getting it off. I'm sure my body is holding on to these few pounds for nursing.
 
Hi. Congratulations on your new baby! I am now pregnant with #3. While pregnant with my second, I worked out the entire time, stepping up until the end, so I was still really fit. This being the case, I started easing back into it 2 weeks after delivery. I had received Cathe's Cross Train Express vids the summer I was pg, and decided not to attempt them while I was pg as I didn't want to "shock" my body and saved them for postpardum. When I started working out, I wasn't familiar with the choreography, so although I started with them, it took me about a week before I felt that I was really getting a good workout in. I had stopped bleeding around the 2 week mark (still light, but not that bad) but started up a bit more once I was working out again. I just stuck with it and listened to my body. If I didn't feel good enough to finish the whole workout, I didn't push myself.

Do what feels best for you. A great alternative is to bundle baby up in a warm sleeper and blankets and go for a walk. I used a baby bjorn a lot too. It was a nice way of easing back into things.

Stacey
EDD 09-16-04
 
Emy, I am LOL at your description of your "po-po". Too funny. I"m so proud of you too, you only have 9 pounds to go. That is so awesome. You're so disciplined & such a hard worker. It is totally paying off.

I am an endorphin nut. It's going to be really tough to wait until the 5-6 week mark to resume exercise, but I will do it ( I think it's much more important since I had a Csection). I will order the Cathe DVD around 5 weeks, that way I won't be tempted to do them until they arrive around the 6 week mark. :) Not that I don't have any self-control.

It's nice to take time to bond with my little guy. He sleeps so much right now, it wouldn't be tough to throw in a 40 minute workout. Oh, and I think I would be a nicer person if I was able to workout. Really miss that endorphin release...

Oh, and I"m still bleeding right now (2 weeks postpartum). I think with my 1st guy I bled almost 6 weeks. This time the bleeding is really light, occasionally it gets heavier though.

Melanie
Baby Justin born 1/17/04

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"
 
Thanks for the tips gals.

Emy - congrats on the weight loss. If only I can be so lucky! I have lost 17 lbs so far and gained a total of about 32 so I am gettin' there. My lower body just feels so dang soft though. I can't wait for that killer cardio and lower body workout.

Melanie - I am still bleeding a bit too but it is already so much lighter than last week. I am hoping it is getting ready to quit soon? With my first I stopped bleeding early on and was able to start working out earlier. Also, with this one I carried a lot higher and my ab muscles are not healing as quickly. They really feel ripped apart.

I think I will probably start some mild cardio at the end of this week (which is 2 wks only if I am feeling up to it and see how it goes. I might do a upper body endurance workout (taking it very easy) mid-week (maybe ME?). I think I'll only SIT and not stand to take the strain off the back/mid section.

Stacy - I have also been thinking about starting off w/the cross train express vids since they are a bit easier on the cardio. Plus they're shorter!
 
Mel - forgot to mention I am SOOOOOO with ya' on the endorphin release thing! I am wanting my endorphin fix so bad! My husband has started a major workout plan and is on the treadmill every morning and I am so jealous. But.... I have my lil' one to hold and breastfeed and it is ALL worth it in the end;)
 
Don't forget to share some of that endorphin--perhaps cyber-endorphins?!? I am going through some serious withdrawal over here. The only thing that's keeping me away from my DVD player is that I am consistently losing weight w/o exercising. This is comforting. Maybe it's b/c I'm sweating all the time. Especially at night when I breastfeed. Even though I'm pretty much homebound I shower everyday b/c I feel so sweaty and sticky. I'm thinking it's my bodies way of getting rid of all the water I retained when I was pregnant. I was really swollen, especially in hands & legs.

CTX & Timesaver would be excellent DVD's/videos to start with. Those will probably be first on my agenda! Let us know how it goes, K?

Melanie
Baby Justin born 1/17/04

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"
 
Mel - I have had the night sweats so bad the past few days too! I woke up in a puddle of sweat the past 2 nights! Crazy, huh! I am losing wt too without exercising so it is keeping me going too:) Keep up the good work!
 
I would get really sweaty at night too. For me it was mainly during my first 2 months of breastfeeding. I can't explain it. Also, I would in general get really hot anytime of the day while breastfeeding during the first couple of months. (It has stopped now, but still nursing.) Maybe the "manufacturing" process generates heat?...
 
I remember feeling really hot as well those first few postpartum weeks, don't know if it was due to being postpartum or the breastfeeding. In terms of that endorphin rush, I too wanted that rush, but listened to my doctor. I was told don't lift anything heavier than the baby so I started out with very light weights and tubing. During the first few weeks I only did workouts I could do pregnant. I missed my high impact, but knew my health was the most important. As I've mentioned I resumed my high impact the day after the doc gave his ok. Those 6 weeks I was dying to up the intensity to get the prego weight off, but the weight did begin coming off during these 6 weeks. Now, my daughter is almost 5 months old, and I within 2 pounds of preprego weight. I am now dressed for work in a suit size 2p which is just a little tight. So in other words, relax and enjoy the excuse to dcrease intensity and your body will eventually return.
 
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