During pregnancy, a woman's body is transformed both internally and externally. Even if you watch your diet and practice exercise during your pregnancy, your ways will change and you will need time and patience to regain your body, although it is possible that you will never be like before, something that you must assume so as not to obsess over this topic.
Once you have your baby, your body will begin to return to its being little by little, naturally. Your internal organs move during pregnancy, and they need time to return to their position. In terms of fitness, you will need to dedicate time and effort to recover. But it is very important that you give yourself time, that you do it with caution and little by little and above all, that check with your doctor before starting to practice any type of sport.
When to start running
If you are a running fan, surely you will be wanting to start running, not only to look better but because if you are used to exercising your body will be crying out for it. That you are used to running will help you when it comes to recovering this routine, since your body will be better prepared. However, you should start small and after waiting a while for your body to be ready.
It is also important to appreciate that each pregnancy and each delivery is completely different. After a cesarean, it takes a few weeks longer for the body to recover than if the delivery is vaginal. That is why before starting, you should consult with your doctor, who assess aspects such as pelvic floor recovery. An area that becomes very weak during this period and that could be greatly affected by the impact of exercise if it is practiced before being prepared.
The general recommendations state that, in the case of women who undergo a cesarean section, the recovery time before starting to exercise is between 6 and 8 weeks. In the case of natural childbirth, the recovery time is between 4 and 6 weeks. But as we already said, these are estimates very broadly, so we advise you to consult a specialist.
Prepare your body before exercising
Another important aspect to take into account is the preparation prior to delivery. That is, if before you got pregnant you were already used to running, and have even done it during your pregnancy, it is not the same as start running from scratch without having preparation. In the case of the former, it will be much easier to start running and you will already have notions of how you should prepare your body before starting the exercise.
But if you have never practiced exercise and want to start after your delivery, it is very important that you seek help from a professional who will guide you in the best way. Starting to run is not about planting a pair of sneakers and jogging. It is necessary do some warm-up exercises so that your body does not suffer, and avoid possible injuries.
Before you start running, you can start walking at a brisk pace so that your body gets used to it. If you get used to walking daily, you will soon notice how your own body asks you to start jogging. It is very important that you listen to what your body asks of you, because there is no one who knows what it is prepared for better than yourself. Start small and gradually increase the pace and frequency, until you feel more comfortable.
After each exercise, don't forget to stretch for a few minutes. You can search the internet for some exercises to warm up and stretch before and after running, they will help you prepare your body for this exercise. And remember, your body has gone through a very important process of change for many months. Do not expect to achieve a physical form of heart attack in a few weeks, since you will only get frustrated and possibly hurt yourself physically and emotionally.