When Is It O.K. to Work Out After Having a Baby?

You can stroll.
Strenuous exercise can cause dangerous bleeding.

It took you 40 weeks to gain that weight and make a baby.
There is no hurry to get it off.

Good luck.
Take it easy. Your baby needs you to be healthy.

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Absolutely not.... you can tear or pull or damage something on the inside without knowing until it's too late. Do as your doctor says and rest... give your body time to heal. Then start VERY slowly

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You could do some walking but starting an intense workout regimen so soon could be very dangerous. After having a baby your blood volume is higher than normal so doing something extremely aerobic is not good for your heart. It takes about six weeks for everything to go back to normal, hence the recommendation. But, like I said, put your baby in a stroller and do some light walking. It's a good place to start and your little one can use the small amounts of Vitamin D that comes from being outside. That's my 2 cents. :)

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I would begin with walking and maybe altering my diet. If you're nursing, it's recommended you eat 500 additional calories daily to make-up for the breast-milk production...I would maybe not eat the additional calories, but make sure that what I did eat was food that counted both for your health and your baby's- good, lean proteins- good fats- calcium- fiber, etc (fish, nuts, avocadoes, milk, yogurt, oatmeal, eggs, whole wheats).

My mom always reminded me that just because we feel good outside- our insides are what went through "H". Four weeks will go by fast...once your doctor says everything is back to normal...you'll be already ahead of the game because you're eating better and less calories. If you're also nursing and you were to eat your normal amount of calories, you would still lose weight, due to the breast-milk production!

I hope this helps. Good luck to you andcongratulations on your new baby!

Definitely start working out again, at a slow pace. Go for a walk pushing the stroller. I started doing light abdominal yoga and pilates work outs. Get your body moving just don't over do it.

You know your body. I worked out my entire pregnancy and started slowly as soon as I got home fromt he hospital. Walking, pilates, yoga...

Nothing strenuous for 4 weeks... even though you feel good, your body just went through a crazy event - you don't want to hurt yourself by overdoing it! :o)

I'm sure that walking is fine. Don't be hard on yourself about losing weight. Remember it took 9 months to put it on! If you have both the energy to workout and someone to watch the baby MORE POWER TO YA!

I think if you feel good, then you should start exercising. I started working out again when my baby was 2 weeks old. Just pay attention to your body. Don't over exert yourself...

after 6 weeks for regular work out and of course no cleanses or detox diets while nursing. most of all eat healthy balanced meals and drink plenty of water.
Congradulations!

You may start moderate excersise when you feel ready. 6 weeks is the time for re-engaging in sexual activity. Let your body be the guide. When you over-exert yourself your Lochia (blood flow) will get heavier. Start by going for walks with your kids in the stroller, and see how it goes. If your flow gets heavy, slow it down, and wait a little longer.

I started working out just a few weeks post delivery and did a triathlon 11 weeks post delivery. My doctor thought I was crazy, but I was listening to my body and feeling good.

Just for future reference... if you are breasfeeding, some babies will NOT nurse after Mommy works out... this is because exercise produces lactic acids, and this makes the breastmilk taste like "soured" milk... thus, you have to nurse right before working out, and PLAN ahead as to when baby's next feeding should be or when she will be hungry.

It takes about 2 hours post exercise, for the milk taste to go back to normal... and some babies are sensitive to sweat and the smell... so shower after and before nursing.

Also, strenuous exercise, can sometimes affect your milk output... and if you are not taking in enough water or calories/nutrition yourself.

All the best,
Susan

if you're comfortable enough, start slow. if bleeding increases (assuming you're still bleeding) slow down. my midwife told me to make sure to do crunches pretty much from day one to tighten the abdominal wall. Don't over-do it if you're nursing! Remember a pound a week is a safe weight loss rate.