5 Tips for Working Out Postpartum

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I cannot believe it’s been 3 months since I had our baby girl, Adlavie! If you follow along on my instagram, then you know I’ve been talking openly about the struggles that come along with postpartum. My body took 40 weeks to bring life, yet I always expect myself to turn back to my pre-pregnancy state so quickly! I want to encourage all of you more than anything to give yourself grace in it all. Our bodies have led us through the greatest of things, so let’s try to forgive them a little more. Keep reading for 5 tips for whenever you (and your doctor) decide it’s best to start working out postpartum!

START SLOW

If you try to do too much, too quickly, there’s a good chance you’ll end up doing more harm than good. It’s very easy to get sick during your postpartum period when you push yourself too hard! Even just changing the baby's diaper and going to the bathroom are worth celebrating in the beginning stages of postpartum!

STAY HYDRATED 

As new moms, we tend to have a million things running through our minds at all times. When I first started leaving the house with both kids, I was so focused on making sure I had everything they needed that I didn’t even think about myself. Making sure you’re drinking enough water is one of those priorities that falls lower than it should when you’re a new mom, but at the same time is super important (especially when breastfeeding!). Everytime I breastfeed or pumped for Adlavie, I made sure to drink a whole cup of water. And even now, when I get ready to go on walks or run errands, I always try to make sure to bring a water bottle along to stay hydrated!

MATERNITY ACTIVEWEAR

I’ve always felt that wearing clothes I’m confident in makes me feel better all around! Athleisure has become the main pillar of my style, especially during my pregnancy and postpartum journey. I find that wearing athletic clothing, even if it’s just to run errands, motivates me to get moving throughout the day! I always get my activewear from adidas, so I never have to compromise comfort for a clean, crisp style! Their Designed 2 Move ⅞ Maternity Sport Tights are my absolute favorite as they balance support with lightweight comfort. You guys probably know by now, I’m a huge fan of all things high-rise! That being said, I love the fact that the elastic waist is specially designed for a maternity fit and gives me the confidence to move through my workout and daily life! They are great to wear throughout pregnancy and during postpartum, because you can also fold the waistband over for better support and comfort.

As a busy mom of two, I’m always on the go, so I need clothes that can keep up with my active lifestyle. I can confidently say that the adidas Aeroready Designed 2 Move Sport Tank Tops are ready for whatever the day throws my way. Like the tights I previously mentioned, Aeroready keeps you dry and comfortable by absorbing moisture. And I love every color they come in! Everything is so thought out about these pieces, down to the details in design. Both are made with Primegreen, a series of high-performance recycled materials! 

EXERCISE RIGHT 

There’s no timeline on when you should feel comfortable getting back into your normal workout routine, so start slow and exercise right for you. For the first few weeks, I recommend doing kegel exercises, hip thrusts, and walking to get your body moving. Whenever you feel like your body is ready for more, then consider daily yoga, pilates, swimming, or light strength training. Those are all great ways to get your body moving without pushing yourself beyond your comfort. Feel ready for more? At that point, you can start your regular HIIT exercise routine and heavy weight lifting. 

VALUE REST

It’s so important to listen to your body during your postpartum journey and rest when it tells you too! In the US, we are so ready to push our bodies beyond what we should be capable of doing, especially when it comes to exercise. Although your doctor may sign off on exercise six weeks after having a baby, it doesn't necessarily mean you should jump back into your normal routine so quickly. There’s no correct timeline for everyone, so value rest when you need it!

What are your tips for working out postpartum? Let me know in the comments below!