Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

Now I'm not sure where to post this but I figure here would be the best bet.

I was in very good shape before I got pregnant. I still am to an extent (I'm still working out regularly). How easy was it to get back into shape after pregnancy and to your pre-pregnancy state? I hear it's easier to bounce back if you were in great shape before and I just wanted to see if there was any truth to this. I was also curious if you were able to go back to doing the things you were doing? I was a runner and would like to continue that after pregnancy (I had to stop because my heart rate goes up above what's recommended).

And I also had a very flat toned stomach. How easy is it to get that back? Were you able to get a six pack back even after childbirth?

TIA

Message edited 12/30/2010 4:10:02 PM.

Re: Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

I actually weigh about 10 lbs less than I did pre-kids. I was and am an avid runner, I work out, etc. My children are about 15 months apart (ages 1 and 2), so I pretty much had back-to-back pregnancies. After I had my first, I got back to my pre-pregnancy weight pretty quickly and was back to running, working out etc. I got pregnant with #2 just 7 months after I delivered my first, so I really never allowed my body to get back to "normal. Anyway, after #2, I lost all my baby weight, except for the last 5 stubborn pounds, within a month. I ended up losing it finally. During all this, I worked out and definitely think my body looks and feels better than it did pre-pregnancy - and I had 2 c-sections!! Yes, there are still parts of my belly that I'd like flatter, but overall, I think my body is better post-children.

You will definitely get back on-track; it takes longer for some than others. Remember, you're pregnant for 9+ months, so you have to allow your body some time to get back. I only worked out in the first tri with my son (high-risk) and with my daughter, I ran easy up until about 20 weeks - it just got uncomfortable for me. I truly believe if you worked out before being pregnant, you should bounce back quicker and easier. Congrats!!

Message edited 12/30/2010 4:23:45 PM.

Re: Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

I weigh the same as I did pre-pregnancy, but my tummy is not as flat. I would say i am in pretty good shape and working hard to get my belly as toned as possible.

I run and I think that's key to losing the baby weight (any cardio). I like running because I feel great outdoors and it's so natural and instinctive to run.

I hired a trainer to get me on the right track and she has been fabulous. No excuses. I work out 5-6 times a week now--twice with her and 3-4 times on my own. Speaking of fabulous, you should talk to MissFabulous about running, she has been extremely helpful to me.

I do think it is easier to get back into shape if you were in good shape before the pregnancy. I was in fairly good shape the summer after I had my daughter, but then gained some weight being a SAHM. That weight was harder to take off than the baby weight because it was from snacking too much, not having the time to work out (i have more time to work out now that I am a working mom-isn't that funny?)

Message edited 12/30/2010 4:31:16 PM.

Re: Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

You can do it! I started running at 7 weeks post partum after having twins. 2 months later i was running 5k races and now i am only 5 lbs away from my prepregnancy weight... And I gained 75 lbs while pregnant! My stomach is flat and the 6 pack is coming back. However my skin is very loose and that will take a looong time to go back to normal. As long as i am standing straight my stomach looks great. If i bend over to touch my toes you can see the extra skin, ewww.

Re: Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

Re: Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

Re: Girls who were pregnant and now exercising regularly?

You can get back right away. I had 2 c/s. The first, I milked a bit, but I ran a 10K 12 weeks later. The second I was jogging 5 weeks pp and ran a 10K 10 weeks after.


BFing brought back my pre-preggo weight, but after I stopped BFing, I gained a bit back.