Exercising at any stage of your life is totally individual.
Some prefer exercising with others, some prefer doing it alone.
Some are raring to go and can’t wait to get a sweat on, while others need to take a bit of time to get used to what they’re doing.
Postnatal exercise is no different, and it’s all about listening to YOUR body.
If you want to get stuck in and you’ve been cleared by your doctor, that’s brilliant and there’s no need to slow down as long as you’re moving CORRECTLY and feeling NO pain or discomfort.
If you want to take your time and the thought of finding more than 10 minutes at a time to do some gentle stretching is impossible, that’s fine too.
The important thing to focus on is YOU
YOU are as much of a priority as your baby
Some Mums like to use exercise as a chance to have a bit of ‘me time’ away from the kids, others can manage with the kids in tow.
There’s no right or wrong, it’s what works for you.
I think one of the most important aspects is that when you finish your session (whatever type of session it is) you feel BETTER than you felt before it.
Listen to what your body tells you before the session, and do what you feel is best.
Listen to your body during the session and adapt anything you feel you need to, and ask as many questions as possible about why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Listen to your body after your session and be aware of what feels like it worked, and what maybe feels like it could work a bit harder next time.
There’s lots of talk of ‘taking it slow’ and this is of course right – but once you’re feeling in tune with your body don’t be afraid to start pushing yourself when you feel ready.
This WILL take time – your hormones will take at least 12 months to settle down after giving birth, and you won’t necessarily feel like your body’s your own or recognise it when you look in the mirror.
Accept it for what it is and try to take the focus OFF the way you look
Instead, think of all the positive things your body has done. When fat loss is the only focus you have, it’s easy to get dragged down mentally and let your mood be dictated by a number on the scales.
Your body has been through so much that it’s now got loads of new factors to contend with when it comes to losing weight or changing shape.
If you can, take the focus off fat loss, and see exercise as something you’re doing to improve the function of your body so that it works well through all the daily tasks you put it through.
Do you want your kids to grow up hearing you say how much you hate the way your body looks, or hearing about how much your body can do because you look after it?
For the majority of Mums I work with, the fat loss part comes after they’ve taken this approach – it’s often a healthy by-product of a healthy mindset.
The important thing to focus on is
you 
Want to know more about Postnatal Exercise? You can download my Free E-Book here.
It covers the ins & outs of what’s actually changed in how your body functions, the do’s & don’t’s of Postnatal Training, and loads of FAQs.
If you’d find a chat with me more useful, you can book in for one here.