Post-Natal Fitness: Your Feet Were Made For Walking

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

18 Nov 2006 01:08 PM

After the baby is born, you're going to notice that a lot of things have changed including your personal energy levels. You'll be delighted to know that your bladder function returns to normal almost immediately for most women. This means when it's time to go to the bathroom, you'll actually go to the bathroom rather than need to tinkle.

We've talked about the need to make sure you attend all of your follow-up visits with your ob-gyn after the baby is born and I will stress it in any article I write about post-natal fitness. But sometime between the first and second week after the baby is born, you're going to discover a certain amount of energy returning to you. You'll be getting used to the baby's schedule. Your body is going to be getting over the trauma.

If you want to get started back on a fitness plan, then your first step should be - pardon the pun - a baby step. Go for a walk.

Go For a Walk

Why start with walking? Simple, walking can:

• Burn calories
• Strengthen your back muscles
• Slim your waist
• Be easy on your joints
• Strengthen bones
• Lower your blood pressure
• Encourage time with family and friends
• Tone and shape your legs and butt
• Reduce cholesterol
• Reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes
• Reduce stress
• Help you sleep better
• Improve your mood and outlook on life
• Be done almost anywhere
• Requires only a good pair of shoes
• Cost Nothing (It's free)

Walking is the best first step for any fitness program because it benefits you whether you do it for ten minutes or twenty minutes or thirty minutes a day. A ten-minute stroll in the morning or the evening is a great way to go. It's relaxing for you and it's a great way to take a few minutes to yourself with the baby in safe hands at home with your spouse or your relative or a great way to spend time with your spouse and the baby going for a stroll.

So if you want to get started, but you're only a couple of weeks out from your delivery date, remember, your feet were made for walking and take that first step towards post-natal fitness for yourself.

Related Articles:

Post-Natal Fitness: The Marvelous Mid-Section

Post-Natal Fitness: So You Just Had a Baby....

Yogic Walking

Are You a Stroller Mom?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger