You've just had a baby, and whether it's your first or third child, exercise is the last thing on your mind. Even a newborn or infant who sleeps in long chunks of time feeds every few hours, leaving you sleep-deprived and exhausted. However, there are a multitude of reasons you should exercise, ranging from fighting postpartum depression to losing weight to fit into those old jeans. Did you also think that soon your baby will be running around and that you and your partner will have to chase him–or, rather sprint!–to keep up with him?
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Here some things you can do to get you started:
Go for a walk: What better way to bond with your new baby than to put her in sling or carrier (if she's old enough) and go for a stroll. Even if it's just 15 minutes, you'll get fresh air, a dose of Vitamin D, and feel much better than being holed up at home. Plus, carrying your bundle of joy will be like carrying a 10 to 20 lb. dumbbell and you'll burn more calories.
Do some yoga with baby: Your flexibility is probably shot at this point. Taking a yoga class for new moms will help you regain some flexibility and help you relax while spending time with your infant and making new friends.
Go jogging outside: You can only do this when your infant is at least 6 months old. It's best to start with a short jog–about 15 minutes–on a flat surface. Some women find it therapeutic to jog when their baby is asleep and plan to be outdoors when their infant is napping.
Try swimming: Check out classes at your local YMCA or places that offer swim instruction for water exercise classes. Water aerobics are good way to ease back into a routine.
Disclaimer: Consult with your doctor before beginning any form of exercise regimen.
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