StyleNest’s simple post pregnancy fitness tips will kick-start new mums back into good health and bring back some of that lost confidence.

After giving birth, new mums often feel daunted at the thought of getting back into fitness. Your body shape has changed, your confidence has been knocked and with a little one in tow, fitting fitness into your schedule may seem impossible.

The idea of getting back into exercise and finding the time can be overwhelming, so approach it like baby steps.  There is no need to feel like you need to dive back in headfirst and start running marathons straight away.

Trainer Margarita Bennet explains, “After birth, everything has stretched out like a balloon so there is nothing holding you up. Poor core stability impacts everything and can make everything ache and many women suffer lower back pain. Strengthening these muscles will come in handy when it comes to lifting up your growing baby and will improve the health of your spine. Make sure you begin gently as the hormone relaxin, which is built up during pregnancy, can mean that you may still be a bit wobbly for a few weeks or months afterwards.”

Getting Started

• Gentle exercise is the best starting point, so start with the easiest of all, walking. Only after six weeks or once you have fully recovered from the birth of your baby is it best to start slowly approaching this.

• Start by walking to the local shops for small items. It’s also a good way to practice taking all the necessary things you might need while out with your new born baby.

• Once you feel more confident, why not suggest meeting other mums for a walk? A trip to the local park or a local café for a coffee is an ideal chance to catch up with friends and talk over your early stages of motherhood together.

• The next steps whilst out and about walking with a buggy can be making it a more cardiovascular workout, and there are a few things you can do to make it work harder for you. Simply increasing the speed you are walking at will get the blood pumping and after a while you might feel comfortable to jog.

• There are also buggy’s designed to be more robust, so if you have progressed to walking or jogging more a ’off road’ design may be more suitable.

Getting Back Your Confidence

Once you’ve mastered walking and jogging with a pram in tow you should feel more confident and certainly feel fitter. The next step is running, but using these simple steps approach it with ease as your body will still be feeling the effects of pregnancy and the birth of your little one.

• Consult your doctor first as every women’s recovery from pregnancy is different.

• Wearing the correct footwear is essential when you decide to take running seriously again. It is important for your posture that the footwear you have relates to the type of runner you are. Many sports shops can offer this service or look at their online guidelines if you’re lacking time to get to the shops.

• Build up slowly with a schedule and set yourself mini goals. Perhaps aim for a small local race or half marathon with a friend or a running club.

• Working with a professional can help set a realistic goal for you and they will also be able to advise on how much you should and shouldn’t be doing.

Remember your body has been through a lot so approaching this with small steps will hopefully mean longer-term success.

For a range of fitness friendly prams plus more advice on everything you need for a new baby visit www.kiddicare.com

Click here for diet advice on how to get back into shape and feel great post pregnancy.