In celebration of Mrs. Fussypant’s baby shower, I thought it would be fun to write about postpartum fitness. It was the first thing I asked my doctor (if you count "how long will I be fat?" an actual postpartum fitness question) and what follows is the best information I’ve gathered after two children, two c-sections, and a combined total of 100 pounds gained and 90 pounds lost. (Darn those last ten. DARNTHEM, I say.)

1. Be prepared to work it off. Because you’ve gained weight during pregnancy doesn’t mean a screaming thirty pound kiddo will come flying out of your hayhay (dang it!). Instead, a healthy weight gain of 30 pounds will include 7 pounds of maternal fat stores (source) so you know there’s going to be at best a little work to do later.
2. Take it slow. There’s a crazy myth out there that whatever weight you don’t lose in the first three months will stay on your hips FOREVAH. Not so fast, Mrs. Judgy Skinnybottoms. Personally, I know a lot of women who continue to lose those pregnancy pounds well after the first postpartum trimester, including yours truly. Best case scenario, it took me nine months to take off what took me nine months to put on.  Worst case? I lost all but 5 pounds after 22 months with my firstborn, the majority from about 18 months on. It can happen. It WILL happen. If you work at it.
3. Research. Know what is a good plan and what’s not. If you’re breastfeeding, do not try diet pills. No new mother should use starvation as a form of weight loss as it contributes to Postpartum depression. Instead, be smart, think healthy, and remember rule #1: it’s going to take work, no quick fix.
4. Ask your doctor. Before starting any exercise routine, be sure to ask your doctor if your body is ready. Please PLEASE listen to them. As a mom who started fast-paced walking a week prior to her 6week post-c-section exam, I started bleeding clots after two days of vigorous exercise. My body wasn’t ready. Listen to me, I promise, it will happen. Let your body heal.
5. Hydrate. Like any fitness program, for any person, at any point in life, your body needs water. Remember to hydrate to prevent bloating and help your body release some of the water weight gained during pregnancy.

And, finally, if all else fails, do what the rest of us do: Find a support system.

Insert Support Gut Thingie Picture here.

And remember, you can always come to the forums for support. We’re working it off slowly and healthfully, too.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am and is filed under Fit Body & Mind.