Tips for Getting Back to Your Pre-Baby Self

Having children is a blessing. However, as expected, pregnancy does cause your body to change. While it is true that it would be unrealistic to expect your body to just snap back into its pre-baby form overnight—since the changes did take nine months to happen—there are some things that you can do to get back to your pre-baby self. Today I’m sharing some things that worked for me after each of my kids as well as a few other recommendations.

See Also: Getting in Shape 5 Minutes at a Time

Join a Fitness Class

After my last son, I decided to get into fitness classes to help with the baby weight and I’ve been keeping up that habit until this day. My first fitness class was Zumba, which I absolutely loved. However, after about six months of that, I decided to let it go since the classes took place during the night and the commute just wasn’t worth it for me anymore.

Instead, I gave kickboxing a try thanks to Groupon, and I have been sticking with that for now. In September once my membership expires there I plan to give MMA a go.

I personally prefer fitness classes as my source of working out and recommend them to anyone who is trying to get back to their pre-baby self. If you find the right class, you’ll look forward to going. Plus, the time will fly by during your workouts!  

See Also: How to Prepare for Kickboxing

Purchase Some Equipment and Work Out at Home

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to go to a fitness class or working out in a group isn’t for you, purchase some basic equipment, so you can exercise at home. To get started you could pick out some light dumbbells and resistance bands. If you need guidance you can also buy a few exercise DVDs.

Once you believe that you can commit to working out at home, you can then move on to a larger investment like a treadmill or elliptical. You could also sign up for a fitness subscription service such as Daily Burn.

I’ve tried working out at home numerous times; however, after a few months I always seem to get unmotivated, so I use it as a way to keep my fitness routine going on days when I can’t make it to class.

See Also: How to Set Up a Home Gym in a Condo

Play Video Games

I love playing video games when I have spare time. I find them to be a great way to relax and take my mind off things after a long day. However, if you invest in a Wii or a Kinect, video games can also help you reach your goal of getting back to your pre-baby self.

My personal favorite is Kinect Sports Rivals. From the rock climbing to tennis, to bowling, you can get a full body workout while playing a virtual game. How awesome is that?

Invest in a Mommy Makeover or CoolSculpting®

If you find that your efforts aren’t getting you the results that you desire, there’s nothing wrong with getting a procedure such as CoolSculpting® or a Mommy Makeover. After having my last son, I went in for a consultation for a Mommy Makeover. The projected after photos looked awesome; however, I decided it wasn’t something that was right for me at that time.

Now, I’ve been considering CoolSculpting®. It’s something I’ve discussed in other posts, but it’s been a struggle finding the right place to go to have the treatment done. One place that was recently brought to my attention is UVA Plastic Surgery, which offers non-surgical body contouring options like CoolSculpting at their Charlottesville, VA practice.

Deciding to Go with a Mommy Makeover or Coolsculpting®

In my case, Coolsculpting® is the better option because it doesn’t require any downtime, and it’s the cheaper alternative. However, if you’re trying to decide between the two I’ve listed out some of the pros and cons of each below:

• CoolSculpting®: CoolSculpting® is noninvasive and requires no numbing or anesthesia, and it costs less than surgical alternatives. However, to reach your required results you may have to undergo multiple treatments, and some people experience bruising or swelling.
• Mommy Makeover: The Mommy Makeover will get you the results you desire in one surgery and can target multiple areas of the body. However, since it is a surgical procedure you can expect some downtime and to spend more money.

Change Your Diet

Regardless of what you try to do to get back to your pre-baby self, one of the cornerstones of seeing results is to watch what you eat. Now, I’m not saying you should start counting calories or anything like that. Though, I do think it is important to make some healthier food choices in order to reach your fitness goals quicker. For example, last year I eliminated fried foods from my diet, and a few months ago I eliminated wheat bread.  I have even started eating salmon a few times a week, and for snacks on-the-go I stick to fruits. After having my last son, I also started eating more salads and reintroduced foods such as sardines back into my diet.

See Also: 5 Simple, Natural Ways to Stay Healthy on the Go

Final Thoughts on Getting Back to Your Pre-Baby Self

Getting back to your pre-baby body is going to take some work and commitment on your part. However, if you truly want it, you will find a way to adapt to the lifestyle changes that it requires.

How did you get back to your pre-baby self? What are you doing now to reach your body goals? Share your comments below!