Page 77 - April Issue

health & fitness* your body*
discomfort* recovery*

in focus: birth
Work it out

Having a baby means a lot of things: losing sleep, learning how to hold
a tiny person correctly and dealing with the weight you gained during
your pregnancy. As you try to get your new routine down, exercise may
seem like that last thing you feel like doing. But, being active now is more
important than ever because it helps raise metabolism, shed extra weight,
provides much-needed energy and helps reduce stress and tension.

Gain Thompson, a fitness instructor depression. It also provides the
at Urban Energy Fitness in new mum with much needed
Studies show that most women Dubai agrees and explains: ‘me time’, often neglected after
gain an average of about 14 “Whilst it is now widely the arrival of a new baby.”
kilograms during pregnancy, accepted that exercise during
although many of us end up pregnancy is beneficial to both Timing
gaining a lot more than that. the mother and baby, very little
On average, 8 to 10 kilograms is said about the benefits of On a physical perspective, a
are usually lost within a month exercise in the post natal phase. woman’s body experiences
of having a baby, but it’s those Other than the obvious weight extreme changes during
extra pounds that can be tough loss benefits, getting back into pregnancy and it is important
to get rid of. Your body may be your fitness soon after giving to get back into a fitness
different after having a baby. birth has proven to help fight routine in a controlled manner
But, with a little patience and ‘the baby blues’ and reduce as soon as it is possibly safe,
consistent exercise, you can the effects of postpartum suggests Thompson, “Usually,
get back into shape. Nicola the accepted time to get back

77 mother, baby & child April 2011