Print Email RSS DIGG del.icio.us Stumble It!

Body After Baby: Gabrielle Reece’s Tips for Revving Your Workouts Back Up

My daughter arrived January 1, 2008. Her name is Brody Jo Hamilton. She weighed in at 8lbs, 2oz, and she looks a lot like a smaller version of my four-year-old daughter Reece. I had to have a C-section with Reece, after 17 hours of labor and about two of pushing -- she just wouldn't come out. Here in Hawaii they don't like to do VBACS (vaginal birth after caesarean) so I had to have another C-section with Brody. By the time I got to the hospital I was about six centimeters dilated; Brody was ready to join us.

The first week back from the hospital is always tricky, having had the surgery, and then, suddenly needing to care for a new baby and a small child, too. I have always found it tough to relax and "do nothing." But if I have learned at least one thing in my life, it’s this: To know when to ease up, heal and, by doing so, build my strength for later. So I was a good girl for about 16 days and then, I started doing very, very light exercises. Three weeks after giving birth, I began to spin lightly on a bike for 20 minutes, just to get my heart pumping. I would bring Brody with me into my home gym and work out for as long as she would lie there. I can sometimes extend my workouts by breastfeeding her -- I haven't started pumping yet so I'm milking on demand for the moment -- and then, I put her back down on a blanket with me on the floor. Brody’s been with us for four weeks now and, even with this newborn, I think I’ve figured out a few ways to ease back into my workouts and get my body back to where it was before giving birth. Here are some tips for all you other new mothers:

1) Move a Little Each Day: I find that even minimal exercise really helps me function better during this time of intense sleep deprivation.

If you’re pregnant, think about getting your exercise routine in place right now. I always preach to other women that if your doctor says it’s okay, and you feel well enough, you should keep moving during your nine months. This will help you get back into your workouts after the baby comes. It has really worked for me.

2) Set the Tone of the Day with Your Mind, Not Your Hormones: Reece caught a cold that she gave to Brody so, on top of dealing with newborn baby sleep patterns, we also have a munchkin who can't breathe very well. I almost feel like I'm floating in La La Land because of the lack of sleep. So, to counter this, I just keep reminding myself to set the tone of how I am feeling with my mind -- not to wait to see how I feel but to try and decide before hand.

This way I am less of a victim to being grumpy or snappy (especially first thing in the morning). This time with my new baby is so fleeting and so precious. That’s why I remind myself to take it all in, for this too shall pass.

3) Visualize How You’d Like Your Post-Baby Body and Self to Be: It’s been a month since I gave birth and with the exception of fuller breasts, a dark line down my tummy, and a slightly enlarged uterus, I am about four to five pounds above my regular weight of 170lbs (I'm 6'3"). With each day that passes, I feel more and more like myself. On the days I don't, I fudge it in my mind. I visualize how I want to feel and look. I keep seeing myself as fit and strong. Now, I'm just waiting for my body to catch up to my mind.

Try it. I'm telling you it works.

Votes: 23

5 4 3 2 1  

Related Articles

• Smart Workouts for Busy Moms
• How Safe Are Vaccines?
• Eat Smart to Slim Down

Comments