Top tips for exercising after having a baby

After my first pregnancy, I got super stressed about still having a big tummy after giving birth. I think I expected it to go away immediately, but this was definitely not the case. It looked bloated and I was advised to keep drinking peppermint tea.

In the weeks after the c-section the tummy soon started looking more normal, and after seven weeks I felt ready to start some gentle exercise too. I wanted to exercise with someone who specialised in postnatal exercise to help me with the post-caesarean recovery, and I soon restarted my at-home pilates sessions, which were practical for a mum with a newborn, with pre- and postnatal London training company Jelly Belly PT.

For others who are now about to start planning how to get back in shape after having had a baby, here are four top tips from Kellie Moore, founder of Jelly Belly PT:

1. Take your time! It took 9 months to grow a baby so give yourself up to a year to recover fully

2. Keep the intensity low and build up your strength from the inside out, ensuring your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are fully restored

3. Exercise with friends or join a post-natal specific class, as this will keep you motivated and it’s fun!

4. Avoid relying on sugar and caffeine for energy, and eat a varied diet including complex carbs, fruits, vegetables, good fats and protein

Tags: Being a mummy, Jelly Belly, London, Personal training, Pilates, Post-caesarean recovery, Postnatal exercise