What
you should do and not do to stay on the right path of exercise after pregnancy?
Do’s •
Consult your doctor before you exercise after pregnancy. •
Write down your fitness goals as you will more likely stick with a
program once you have set some specific goals. •
Eat a well balanced diet that
includes ample servings of vegetables and fruit for energy to exercise
after pregnancy. •
Break down your meals so you are eating several mini meals per day. •
Assess your current fitness level before you exercise after
pregnancy. By doing so, you’ll be able to establish goals
that meet
your specific fitness needs. •
Talk with your health care provider before embarking on a fitness
program, especially if you are struggling with a health condition such
as diabetes or
obesity.
•
Supplement your diet with essential fatty acids by eating two servings
of fish per week. •
Choose alternatives to satisfy your cravings when possible. For
example, if you are craving something sweet, go for watermelon instead
of chocolates. •
Consider frozen fruit over ice cream or opt for a mini chocolate
instead of the whole candy bar. •
Remember to stretch before and after your exercise routine. •
Slowly increase the intensity of your exercise after pregnancy. •
Diversify your workout
routine. If you do
the same exercises all the time, you’ll quickly get bored and
be more likely to skip workouts. •
Have a workout buddy. You’ll help motivate each other. •
Keep healthy snacks available at all times. You’re less
likely to grab junk food if something good for you is nearby.
Don’ts
•
Over-train as your
body needs time
to recover in between workouts. •
Try doing too much at once because you’ll burn out swiftly. •
Skip breakfast. Eating breakfast will jump start your metabolism and
provide you with the energy you need to get through the day. •
Skip stretching. •
Skimp on sleep. •
Set unrealistic goals. A healthy rate of weight
loss
is 1-2 pounds per week. If you have 50 pounds to lose, don’t
expect it
to come off overnight or you’ll set yourself up for
disappointment. •
Compare your successes and failures to others. Everyone is unique, and
what works for them may not work for you. •
Work out sporadically. You need a regular workout to maximize the
benefits you’ll reap from a consistent fitness routine.
•
Give up. Consider talking with a friend in times of discouragement. •
Forget to reward yourself when you have done well. Always
remember to keep an open mind and remain flexible when you
exercise after pregnancy. At times you may find it necessary to change
your routine slightly. When you are willing to try new things and set
reasonable expectations, you’ll reap the rewards of your
fitness
program and successfully achieve your fitness goals.