Finding the time for exercise after pregnancy is important. The majority of your time after you’ve had twins is spent taking care of them. It is also very important though, to remember to take care of you and your health and well-being as well.
If you feel good then you will be better able to care for your babies and you’ll feel healthier and happier -not to mention watching those post-baby pounds start to disappear. While you may not be impressed with the after twins- body you’ve been left with, you can start to implement small things in your day to day life to start to get it back.
Our bodies are created to move, we’re not meant to be sitting down all day. You can start to implement exercise into your day as soon as you are able to move and have started to recover from childbirth. This can vary depending on how your labor and delivery went.
Exercise after pregnancy is good for your health.
Exercise and physical activity is so good for your health! It’s one of the most important things you can do to take care of MOM. It creates better health, emotional stability, disease prevention, improved fitness, weight loss and weight control, better posture and better balance, stronger bones and muscles and continued health as you grow older.
Exercise after pregnancy can help you be a better mother.
Exercise can help you as a mother as well. It can make you feel better about yourself which in turn increases your self-esteem. It can help you sleep better at night, release stress, give you more energy and help you relax. By getting physical activity you will improve your stamina, muscle strength, flexibility , balance and endurance – all which will help you run after your kids ! Your children will also see you as a role model and will be more likely to be fit and active as well.
When is it OK to start exercise after pregnancy?
Our bodies are created to move, we’re not meant to be sitting down all day. You can start to implement exercise into your day as soon as you are able to move and have started to recover from childbirth. This can vary depending on how your labor and delivery went.
Speak with your doctor about your plans for physical activity before you get started so they can go over any precautions with you . For example, if you had a Caesarean section delivery, you may need to wait until your stitches and abdominal wall have healed. If you had an episiotomy, you may need to wait for those stitches to heal fully as well. Exercise should not hurt, it should feel good, so always listen to your body and take it slow. It can also depend on the kind of shape you were in before you gave birth.
Where and how do I start exercise after pregnancy?
The best way to start is to start slowly increasing your physical activity each day as you feel OK to do so. Try not to be impatient with your body ! It’s been through a lot and needs time, care and attention to return back to it’s pre-pregnancy state. It may take months to get back to the level of activity you had prior to twins.
If you weren’t getting exercise on a regular basis before you were pregnant, consider getting some advice from a fitness coach at a gym to help you come up with a plan to get started that is suitable for you .
What about breastfeeding ?
It is totally OK to get exercise while you are nursing your twins, however you may not have the time or energy during the first few month as nursing with take up all of your time at first. Excercise after pregnancy does not interfere with your breast milk production or nutrients. It’s best to feed your babies first though, just for your comfort. You’ll want to wear a very supportive bra as well as the friction from movement can and will make your breasts leak.
Types of Exercise
You should choose to do the types of activity that you enjoy, that way you are more likely to continue. If you love to walk, then walk – inside on a treadmill listening to music or outside in nature – with or without your babies in a stroller. Love to dance? Throw on some music and dance in your kitchen, dance with your babies! They’ll love it. Go for an evening bike ride. If you can manage a class out of the home – sign up for one – swimming, yoga, pilates, tae kwon do, whatever you enjoy or would like to learn.
At home you can rent DVD’s or watch or listen online – just do a google search for home exercise programs. Many new moms aren’t ready to let anyone see them exercise for a while after the babies so do it in the privacy of your own home. Take care of yourself – you are worth it !
