Your Pregnancy

GETTING FIT AGAIN

-

Sweating it out in the gym is off the cards for a while. Be realistic about your fitness goals. The weight didn’t pile on overnight, and it won’t melt away overnight either, so take things easy. A c-section is a big operation, and you shouldn’t stress your body unnecessar­ily afterwards. Allow yourself enough time to heal. What you can do immediatel­y afterwards: your Kegel exercises, while sitting or lying down.

Avoid crunches, situps and rotational exercises completely. After about eight to 10 weeks, you can begin a formal exercise regime, with your doctor’s okay. Base it on your fitness before the birth. If you’ve been doing your Kegels, your recovery time will be shorter, and you can get more active sooner. Be very aware of your posture and move deliberate­ly and at a steady pace. Walking, swimming and cycling can all help you build muscle and get fit again.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa