High impact exercise after pregnancy

[Lorrymac]

Has anyone else been told that they can't do high impact exercise after pregnancy? I was told that because I was breastfeeding that I had to add extra time onto the usual recommended time and couldn't run until 3 months plus 6 weeks after the birth, so 4.5 months after. I'm itching to get back on the treadmill (as I have stayed the same weight for about 12 weeks despite breastfeeding) but feel like I can't because of what i've been told. But I'm not sure if it's just a precaution and that if i'm careful and be wary of warning signs that I should be ok.

Also - anyone else had any experience with holding weight after pregnancy? Naively I thought it would drop off if i was breastfeeding but it totally isn't! I managed to lose a few pounds but at the same time my milk supply dwindled as i think i was cutting my food back a bit too much. I am going to the gym 3-4 times a week doing a fat burning workout that was devised for me after the birth. I have read online that some women don't lose any weight during breastfeeding because the body wants to hold onto that fat to make milk....

Seems quiet on here this weekend...?

Lorraine x

[Goodsoulette]

The avoiding high impact is to do with all your joints and muscles still being soft. How do you feel now? Only you know! Will you be using the treadmill at a gym, if so why not skip that and use the bike for a warmup and the cross trainer for your whole cardio.

In the meantime get a gym ball and work on excercises to help strengthen your pelvis and buttocks. If you have a good strong bum and back that will help prevent injury.

Have you been doing all your pelvic floor excercise? (Pelvic tilts especially).

After my second baby it took me a long time to lose weight, however I went from 34-26-34 to a 44-44-44, and put on 5 stone Im still not pre baby weight/size 3 years on but I am almost happy with my self. I too lost little weight whilst breast feeding for about 8 months. If you were eat 2000 calories a day you would probably only maintain weight. Try dropping it to 1900 and see how you get on! Also ask your doctor to see the surgery dietician, they may well be able to help.

[Goodsoulette]

Oh but apparently your body still produces relaxin for around 6 months after birth, whether you breast feed or not, if you try it and end up trapping your sciatic nerve, you are really going to notice it and be in agony. Maybe another month or two without the running would be best. I swear by the cross trainer myself

[alya]

I dont think high impact exercise is that good.
Check out these pregnancy and baby video, they have some tips and advice on loosing that baby fat:
http://www.sutree.com/videos/Pregnancy_and_Bab y/8432
In addition check out these online workout videos, they have some pretty good stuff as well
http://www.sutree.com/videos/Fitness_and_Nutri tion/12541

[Lorrymac]

Hi goodsoulette - thanks for responding. Yes, i'm aware that the avoidance of high impact exercise is to do with the pregnancy hormones loosening the joints which stick around longer if you breastfeed. I feel ok - i've been using the bike, ski machine, and cross trainer the gym and feel fine. My knees are a bit crunchy (horrible word but it's true) but were before i got pregnant. I was 2 weeks pregnanct when I did my race for life and haven't run since and miss it so much! Yes i would be using a treadmill.

I have been doing my pelvic tilts yes, my trainer added it as a lower abs exercise. I have been a bit crap at doing my pelvic floors though i have to admit. bad girl! So did you lose weight when you stopped feeding? see my post yesterday, I'm curretly in turmoil over my feeding. I think I just have bad days where i feel permanently attached to Isobel but maybe that's just when she has a growth spurt - yesterday was better.

Also regarding my calories - i used to use weight loss resources website but without a good tool i'm useless at counting calories and really would rather just eat healthy which i'm pretty good at doing. I know i dont over eat and i don't eat much rubbish - if i do it's a home made cake and i never eat processed food. I'd hoped that eating well and exercising combined with breastfeeding would shift it but it isn't and after staying at exactly the same weight for almost 3 months i'm starting to get a bit annoyed!

[tigwig]

It may take a while for your body to adjust after having a baby but don't give up. If you really aren't overeating and the only way to know for sure is keeping a food and drink diary then exercising too should eventually make you lose weight. If you are eating 2000 calories a day then reduce it more. Go out for lots of energetic walks too with the pushchair

[natalie_1982]

Hi Lorraine, at my six week check I asked my doc if I could get back down the gym and she said not to unless it was low-impact on the treadmill. Pre-pregnancy, and up until I was 12weeks, I was doing yoga, Body Pump (high impact weights resistance training class thing) plus a visit to the gym and swimming weekly. When I got to 12weeks it was getting towards winter and I was so exhausted each evening I couldn't face going out and so knocked it all on the head but continued to have two fifteen minute walks every day until I was about 7/8 months. In all, about a week after having Emilia I was only 1stone over what I was before I was pregnant, however because I am not toned atall in the slightest anymore I am almost 2dress sizes bigger than I was and look much more than a stone! I breastfed for 5/6 weeks, so I don't think that was long enough to ascertain whether the weight loss was through breastfeeding or birth!

My diet is very similar to yours, I eat lots of fresh fruit and veg and very little "bad food" but I still haven't managed to shift that extra stone and I go out and walk at least once every day, and do all of the housework at the moment with as much gusto as possible.

As with your other question, I don't think I can give an answer but at least you are not alone. I am going to go see my GP next week some time so will mention it to her again as I seriously miss my fitness classes, and as much as I love my little bundle I could really do with an hour or so a week lifting something heavy that isn't her LOL!