how soon do you plan on working out hard after baby?

[Jem75]

I don't know about you - but I am SO over this "fat" part. Between the cold in Chicago and early in the pregnancy having no working out b/c of the subchorionic hemorrhage - I just fell out of my old routine. I walk on the treadmill (but not nearly enough). Just want to get back to running, classes, etc.

What is the recommended time until you can officially work out after birth?

[Whitneylauren]

Ovaz-

YEA! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bikram! I have been doing it now for 4 years, and am still challenged by it every class. It is really hard at first, but it gets better as you progress. I am at a point now where I have to stand at the hottest point in the room because apparently 105 degrees doesn't feel hot enough! Anyway- good for you!

[ovaz129]

You know... I was going to ask my doctor this question.  Because, like the majority of pregnant ladies... I am not digging my potential post-pregnancy body.  I am going to wait probably 4-6 weeks to work on my "lower half", but as for the upper half... I will most likely start immediately.

Whitneylauren... I have lots of friends who do/did bikram after pregnancy and lost the majority of their weight doing that.  So, I am definitely going to give it a shot!  I did regular yoga prior to getting pregnant, but never attempted bikram.  But, I am ready to melt away fat!!! haha...

[Whitneylauren]

What to Expect While your Expecting says you can start working out immediately after giving birth, but suggests that the strain be minimum. There is a whole section dedicated to small movements (like kegels) you should do postpartum.

I had a 4th degree tear (I tore up in circles and to my bum) with my first baby, and basically couldn't walk for about a week. Once I could really move I started taking long walks with my son. I breast fed exclusively so I was in a size 6 within months. Then, when he was 6 months old, I started Bikram Yoga and the rest of my weight just melted off- I was back in a 2 within 2 months.

For this pregnancy I have purchased a postpartum workout video specially designed for that in- between period before you can really strain. I would recommend doing something like that at first, until your body is fully healed.

[AmyC311]

I think it has to do with any tears you might have incurred during the birth. I have a couple friends who had either a tear or an episiotomy and they waited until it was healed. I don't think you will want to work out if you are torn down there though...kind of like sex. When you feel healed enough to have sex then I would think you would be ok to work out.

I just hope I heal super fast because I love to do spin classes and those seats hurt you down there anyways...so I definitely won't be touching a cycle until I am all healed. (Even with the gel seat I would feel bruised for the first couple times getting back to my workout) I am not much of a runner but I might try that...or aerobics as long as I don't have to "lunge" too much.

SO I guess I would say 6 weeks for the heavy lower body stuff? The good news is we can start the upper body stuff pretty much immediately. Not to mention the fact that we will all get buff arms from carrying around diaper bags and car seats with babies in them! :)

I am really hoping that I can melt some of this extra padding I grew on my legs! I don't want to buy all new clothes...I was actually wanting to lose a few pounds before I found out I was pregnant! But breastfeeding will help and chasing a baby around for the rest of my life I am sure I can manage to get down to my pre-baby weight at least. :)