BeHappyMum | 6 Best Ways to Exercise After Pregnancy

We all know that as a new mum your life is beyond hectic, with little time to do anything apart from cater to your baby’s needs and routine (or lack of one!). Getting rid of your mummy tummy may feel completely unattainable – is it really possible to exercise at home when your life is so baby-focused? We say YES! It is! And here are the best ways to exercise after pregnancy and fit those workouts into your busy day around your children and home routine.

1. Exercise while you’re doing something else

Do not wait for any spare time to allocate specifically to your exercising after baby or if you have older children. It may not come today. Instead, use EVERY moment of your day as snack-exercising really work and lift up your spirit.

When you’re standing – say when you’re in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil – why not do some push ups against the wall? Great for your waistline and bust and tightening muscles! Or lift on tiptoes (the Curvy Calves exercise in our FitMama app) while you’re brushing your teeth

While you’re sitting, perhaps watching TV, on the phone or feeding your baby, try toning your thighs by squeezing a ball between them. And when you’re lying down, perhaps playing with your baby or toddler, you can fit in a quick exercise for your abs. Be aware exactly when you’re standing, sitting or lying down within your home routine – and start regarding those moments as exercise time!

2. Work on specific body areas

Your body’s just done something amazing and needs looking after. So don’t go for those exercises after pregnancy that promise to tone you from top to bottom – they’re usually for stronger bodies. Instead, choose a few short, easier exercises for each body area to improve after childbirth. They’re easier to learn and easier to stick to. This is the best ways to exercise after pregnancy! So find the 2 or 3 that exercises really work for you Mum!

Feel the muscles burn after exercising or the day after in the post-pregnancy body area of your attention? That means it works!

FitMama App – our 5 Minute App Just for Mums – as shown here – allows you to select which body area you want to work on, making life so much easier!

3. Do it right

It’s vital that you learn to do your favourite exercises correctly, so you’re doing them safely and with maximum effect. After all, you want to get the most out of every 5 minute workout before the kids keep you busy again!

To make sure you exercise correctly after pregnancy, BeHappyMum’s FitMama app has a Right and Wrong guide for every exercise. Then get a motivational or funny reward poster every time you complete a workout level!

4. If it works – do it again!

Check what exercises really work for you.

So you did a short exercise in the kitchen and it worked for you? Then remember it and do it again! Every time you’re in that spot of the house, do the exercise – you could even write it down and stick it on a nearby cupboard or wall. This is one of the best ways to exercise after pregnancy. Before you know it, you’ll be exercising all over the house!

5. Use everyday items around the house

If you don’t have sports equipment, that’s not a problem for home exercises for Mums. You have everything at home you will need. You’ve found an exercise that needs weights? Easy – just take 2 bottles of the same size, fill them with water and there you go. Or use some cans of baked beans! Use a child’s ball to squeeze with your thighs; use a tea towel for the Waspy Waist exercise in our FitMama app to trim your waist and exercise your belly or ‘mummy tummy’ after baby; walk up and down the stairs for an easy aerobic workout. What could be simpler?

6. Use your phone or tablet

If you’ve a smartphone, it can be an invaluable tool for helping you get back into shape after having a baby. Plan your fitness breaks and set your phone to remind you when they’re due – an exercise before the school run for example. Download apps that track your calorie use and activity, motivate you and of course give you easy 5-minute workouts like FitMama App! There are so many amazing apps that can support you on your way to getting back your pre-pregnancy body, just don’t always look for the fastest ways to lose weight or hardest workout videos. Respect your post-baby body!

It’s not easy for new mums to find exercise time especially when the post-partum period means your body and hormones feel so many changes. But we hope these tips have helped you look afresh at how you can fit a few minutes of easy exercise at home and into your hectic day.

Good luck Mums, remember, little and often does it!