Pregnancy does not necessarily have to be the end of your prenatal figure. By making a firm promise to exercise regularly, you can once again regain your appearance, and feel better physically.

During your pregnancy, there were inevitable changes that your body had to adapt to. These include: body weight increase; posture shift; joint relaxation; and increased blood volume. If your body was unprepared for these changes, then you probably had to endure the problems of low back pain, aching legs, constipation, urine leakage, and fatigue.

However, now that it’s over… it’s time to exercise. Before you begin, follow these five general rules of postnatal exercising.

1. Take it easy when first starting out. Work within your body’s limits and build up to more demanding exercises. Your beginning exercises should be relaxing and enjoyable.

2. Stop and rest if you feel pain, breathless or dizzy.

3. Do the exercises properly. 4. Do not hold your breath when exercising. 5. Work out on a firm, but soft surface.

The types of postnatal exercises you should concentrate on the most are the ones that work primarily on those body parts most involved with labor and delivery. They are…pelvic floor, abdomen, lower back, and inner thighs.

Pelvic floor muscles form a base support for pelvic organs and their contents. These muscles include rectal muscles, vaginal muscles, and urinary sphincters. During pregnancy, these muscles supported the increased weight of the enlarged uterus and had to stretch during delivery to allow for the baby to pass.

Abdominal muscles also supported the additional weight of the baby. Thus, were required to be stronger and more elastic than usual. If these muscles were weak before pregnancy… they did not provide adequate support. Thus, the back muscles were forced to do the work that resulted in back strain.

Here are some postnatal exercises that you should begin as soon as you feel up to it after delivery. Pelvic Tilt: Strengthens abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles. Angry Cat: Strengthens abdominal muscles and buttocks. Partial Sit-ups: Strengthens abdominal muscles. Diagonal Curl-up: Strengthens oblique abdominal muscles. Bridging: Strengthens buttock muscles.

It is also essential to include activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling, and dancing into your postnatal exercise routine. These activities work to strengthen muscles, rebuild endurance, regain proper circulation, and respiration. They also help to burn up extra calories if you are overweight from eating for two. Having the right equipment will help you stay consistent with your exercise routine. For example, buying a jogging stroller like a Bob stroller will enable you to walk, jog, or run even if you have to take baby along.

Additional exercises are encouraged. However, the ones given here are those that are essential to the areas of your body that were most affected during pregnancy. Remember to start slowly. No certain number of repetitions is mandatory. Generally, start with two to five repetitions, and progress, as you are able.

One last tip: Exercise to music whenever possible to make it even more fun and enjoyable. Before you know it, you’ll have that appearance back that you thought you’d lost forever.

Choosing the best nursing bra can be frustrating. To save you time, here are some to not even bother trying.

1 - Avoid nursing bras that have underwire. They are not only uncomfortable, but could obstruct your milk ducts. If you do choose an underwire bra, you will need to be especially picky about the fit to avoid any blockage. Shop at a store where there are people who can fit you.

2 - Avoid bras with a plastic lining. Plastic linings hold in moisture which can cause bacteria to grow and make your nipples sore. Look for bras with breathable fabric.

3 - Avoid nursing bras with front flaps that, when open, expose your whole breast. You will find it difficult to close it back up after nursing, especially if you large chested. You definitely want to look for nursing bras that offers support even while you are nursing. This also helps in positioning the baby, makes feedings more comfortable, and allows you to close the flap more easily.

EPH 4:29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen.

by Heather Sargent
8/10/2008 / Womens Interest

When did it become an ‘every mother for herself’ world? Didn’t it used to be a sisterhood of women raising their children together once upon a time?

I think often of what that would be like. To have the women in your life around you supporting you and befriending you. And how you would do the same for them. I imagine children playing while their moms sit together giggling about what silly thing their husband said to them this morning. Or how little Johnny got in trouble again but always gets caught in the most unusual ways where you can’t help but laugh. After you have disciplined him of course.

What would it be like to have the women closest to you understand that you too are just a mere human and are incapable of perfection? How you really do have the best of intentions but sometimes that hand basket from hell comes to take it all away. What if they understood that those things that appear to be bad parenting have a broken heart behind them that may just need a friend? Maybe there is an interesting story there of why things went the way they did.

A world where these sisters did not have one arm wrapped around you in a friendly hug with a knife in the other. A smile and friendly word to you, then biting, angry words at your back. A place where life was so simple that the person you saw in front of you, was the person you saw in front of you.

I long for the sisterhood of the days of old. This catty back-biting that women of today do just leaves me standing there scratching my head, wounds and all as I slowly drop the knife I hold at my sisters’ backs.

Heather Sargent - 2008
A down-to-earth wife and mother of four, Heather Sargent has more than enough to write about. From the insanity of daily life to the quiet, magical moments which include sleeping children, she finds humor and joy in her chaotic life.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

Are you ready for stress free evenings, healthier meals, and a happier family?  Kiss fast food goodbye!

Grab your copy of Meal Planning For Busy Moms and discover how easy meal planning can be.  This ebook is jam packed with great information and recipes, but best of all, it’s free.  It’s also from me!

With the kids out of school, what mom couldn’t use some stress relief?  Here’s a little something that is sure to help.  Your goodie package includes these ebooks: Kids Summer Activities, Family Friendly Summer Recipes, and Summer Exercise For Mom.  Grab your free package below!

Free Summer Stress Package for Mom