Or any fitness planning for that matter, I just happen to be in a post pregnancy phase (11 weeks as I write this) but actually I guess this applies to anyone who is looking for a new exercise regime, is a bit of a beginner or wants to have a more lithe toned body rather than a particularly muscular physique.
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Due to Mabel I am no longer in a position where I can simply pop along to the gym or a class whenever I fancy it, I have always genuinely enjoyed exercise (well, certain types at least) so I see it as something to make “me” time for as well as maintaining my fitness and general well-being, along with taking supplements I get at https://omegaboom.com/are-fat-burners-safe/. I am a huge advocate of pilates, and up until 32 weeks or so was still continuing with my two classes a week plus 15 minutes or so most other days before bed (amazing for stretching out tight muscles from lugging around a baby bump all day).
I can no longer make the time to do two classes a week, but I can do one – James has offered to have Mabel on a Thursday evening and I’ve been enjoying getting “back” to it. Although of course it wasn’t exactly easy, I waited for my 6 week sign off and even then I couldn’t believe how difficult I found level 1 (beginners) when I was mostly at level 3 (advanced) before my daughter’s arrival. I’ll be honest, I did find that first class quite demoralising, and there was a rather stroppy teary tantrum when I got home. Embarrassing. I eventually got a grip, told myself to grow a pair and stop being such a div, it’s going to take (significant) time for my abdominals to knit back together, especially after a c-section. Rome wasn’t built in a day and my pineapple print bikini isn’t going to be showcased poolside anytime soon. My husband is also extremely into fitness just as I am and I find myself to be very lucky as not all can find a partner with the same interests who will always be there to motivate if one feels low. He uses the supplements from flexxlabs.co as men and women need different forms of supplements for their bodies, and he finds that Flexxlabs has helped him in getting the body shape he has always wished for. I don’t think he is ever going to change his brand.
Pilates although excellent for toning and core strength isn’t a cardio work out, and you need to get that heart rate going for weight loss, thus the search for a DVD workout I could do at home ensued. If you read my maternity survival pack post then you will know I’m a fan of Tracy Anderson, Tracy is huge in terms of a brand, her “method” is adored the world over and endorsed by many a hot celebrity (because they actually do it, rather than being paid to say they do.) Before I was expecting I had tried one of the original method workout DVDs and frankly found it too complicated, although I probably gave up too quickly looking back on it.
The pregnancy version got me hooked however, I loved it. Tracy is all golden limbs, super white smile and perfect thighs, I have to admit to having a small girl crush on her -she is just so very positive and I appreciate that, when she says you can get your body to an even better condition that pre-pregnancy I actually believe her. And I guess that’s the point – I’m motivated to complete the workouts. I liken many of her routines to a mixture of ballet, pilates and dance aerobics, it’s all about controlled lengthening movements so if that’s your bag go for it, if not then maybe give it a miss.
I have bought both the specific post-pregnancy workout and the method for beginners, I get bored easily so figured I could alternate the two. So far so good, I haven’t found either complicated and I can really feel the abdominal section of the post-pregnancy version um…working (the day after I first tried it out I was bloody sore) and the beginners is dare I say it, quite fun. There are two routines to choose from, both only 30 minutes long so more realistic to fit into a day (and there’s no hard and fast rule to say you can’t do two 15 minute sessions if your day proves to be particular manic/you are exhausted from the general lack of sleep)
From my experience it’s about being realistic, doing as much as you can when you can and only choosing exercise that doesn’t make you miserable just thinking about the prospect. A decent playlist makes a huge difference as does preparing yourself with the right equipment and comfortable breathable clothing.
What I keep telling myself is it’s only me that is responsible for my body, it’s only me that can keep it strong and healthy and give myself the best possible chance of conceiving again in the future. That’s usually enough to get my backside off the sofa. I am so early into the process that I can’t really comment on any kind of amazing transformation but the fact I’m just doing something is enough to improve my body confidence.
What is your current fitness regime? do you get bored easily of doing the same thing? Do you (like me) only have to look at a treadmill or a spin class to create chunky calves?! There’s been recommendations in the comments sections before but do let me know your home fitness favourites.
On a separate note, would anyone be interested in a more specific pilates feature? my teacher is amazing and I’ve considered interviewing her/asking her to share her tips and tricks for a super toned torso post pregnancy. Let me know folks.
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{The Essentials}
Leggings: Topshop are the best in my humble opinion, and only £12.
Trainers: I’ve just treated myself to a pair of Nike Cross Bionic, they were a lot less bulky than most pairs I considered and a fairly reasonable £80
Mat: I mean a proper squishy mat that will support your delicate bones, I bought a barbie pink Physio World 15mm from Amazonthat is so bouncy you could sleep on it.
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I’m very quick to give up on exercise routines when a) I skip a week for something else and then can’t get back into the rhythm or b) like you, just get bored. I’ve tried swimming, running, exercise DVDs and thought there was no way I would find something I actually looked forward to. With my long commute, it was also hard to find something to fit around that – I’m exhausted by the time I get home!
However, I discovered a local dance studio that did a beginners pilates on a Saturday afternoon, went along and I LOVE it. It’s hard work, but even after two months, I can definitely see a difference in my posture and my core strength (although I’m still struggling with the roll-up!)
Like you, I knew I needed some cardio as well. I might be a bit behind the times with this, but I find zumba absolutely brilliant. Again, same dance studio has a rare 8pm class on a Thursday that I make 9/10 times (if the trains run smoothly!) and it’s amazing what squats and shimmying can do after a rubbish day at work. The teacher is really lovely and very enthusiastic and we all have a laugh – I think the latter is what keeps me going!
Hi Jo!
Before I was pregnant I was taking Zumba classes at the gym, I enjoyed it – but I do think it depends on the teacher, my class was very “dance” contemporary style rather than “jazz hands” ish (if that makes sense!) but great for burning calories and the time went so fast.
The roll up is so hard! I can’t do it at the moment AT ALL but hoping to get back there in the not so distant future 🙂 x
I used to run a few times a week but, embarrassingly, my addiction to wearing heels for all of my adult life has left me with shortened calf muscles that aren’t conducive to running. When I started to need to do a 20 minute warm up and then wear flat shoes for the following two days just to do a 3 mile run I decided to hang up my running shoes. To be fair, I was so slow it was probably more jogging..
Now I do a combination of my Davina DVDs, a Mari Winsor pilates DVD and I’ve just started going to bootcamp. I like pretty intensive short workouts. Davina is pretty awesome for me. I like all the squats and jumps and the weights.
The best trick I have found to keep me on track is to download DVDs to my ipad. It’s so easy to then set them up and get going and I find it makes me more inclined to do then DVDs. It might sound strange but I used to put them on my old laptop and it took ages to turn on and then load so this is a big thing for me.
The bootcamp seems pretty good as well. I go with a friend which helps and my whole body hurt afterwards so that must be a good sign!
I’d love a feature on pilates. I’m trying to get in to a weekly class here in Nottingham but haven’t found one yet.
I did download an old Tracy Anderson to my ipad the other day to give it a go and found it very complicated. It wasn’t the beginners one though so perhaps that should be where I start! Xx
Hi Jennifer! Ooh thanks for the iPad tip, sounds stupid but I had never even considered that, I do use my laptop currently.
Great – I’l get the pilates feature going!
Definitely do try the Tracy beginners, so much easier – to the point after a while I think it might be too easy, but she does say that’s the point, in prepares you for the more difficult ones! x
I completely agree that you have to do exercise that you don’t dread! Currently I go to the gym prior to work Mon – Fri and do whatever the class is – so a mix of yoga, Pilates, body pump, circuits and body attack. I have also joined a running club on Wednesday evenings – it’s brilliant (and I am NOT someone who runs!) but it’s a group of girls of all shapes and sizes, we do 5k around regents park and then have a glass of prosecco in the pub! On Saturdays I go to a dance class called WERK – it’s kind of like zumba but to songs like Rhianna and Britney (A LOT of mincing around, posing and shaking your thang!). You work up such a sweat but I love it and it’s the fastest hour of exercise I do all week!
For home work out I would recommend Jillian Michaels DVDs – her 30 day shred is particularly good. Quick enough to not be boring and a good all round work out – you will feel it the next day!
I know I must sound like I look like Tracy Anderson – but unfortunately not! While I do exercise usually 6 days a week and eat a well balanced diet I am still a size 12/14. I do however feel healthy – I know I can run 10k (if I have to!) or walk all the way home carrying my weekly shop (if required!). I like to think that my insides must be in pretty good nick and that my body is strong. My husband and I are hoping to start a family in the next near future so I look at the mornings in the gym as a good investment. Hopefully being strong and healthy will make the process easier.
Wow, you’re my fitness idol, Bryony. I wish I could make myself do even half of what you do in a week! Seconding Jillian Michaels – love her.
Wow Bryony you are good! WERK sounds amazing! and the mix you do must keep things interesting. I actually really enjoyed circuit training when I did it at my old gym, the gym I was most recently a member of however the classes were generally….crap. Sorry to sound so negative but it was bloody expensive and half the time the instructors wouldn’t turn up, they seemed to not know what they were doing or they would seem as though they didn’t want to be there!
I’ve heard a lot about this Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, I may give it a go once I feel Tracy is too easy x
I completely heart Tracy Anderson – my fiance bought an xbox which I generally dislike…except for the free xbox Fitness that came with it, which includes loads of free fitness videos – including Tracy Andrerson. Like Bryony, I also really like Jillian Michaels which is also on there. I find her a little bit easier than Tracy which is either a pro or con depending on where you’re coming from/how fit you are.
My generally issue is that I grew up doing exercise as part of sport (tennis, swimming) and I’m not used to this exercise-for-the-sake-of-exercise-and-to-be-fit thing. So, even with the xbox and the free videos, I struggle to make myself work out. Which is really bad. What do you say to yourself to make yourself do it? I get home and somehow manage to convince myself that I’m so virtuous for having been at work all day and ‘deserve’ to veg on the sofa rather than doing a work-out.
I’m off to a wedding in Majorca in 2 weeks though so am going into panic mode as I’m SO not bikini-ready, so this post is well-timed! 🙂
I think it’s a health thing for me as well as vanity, I want to make my body strong but I also want to look good in my clothes. Having just had a baby I clearly don’t look the same in my wardrobe at the moment, but I want to so I have to do something about it.
There are many days when I just want to do nothing, especially if Mabel has kept us up since 5am (!) but it’s a case of aiming for that goal of feeling confident again, so far it’s got my bum off the sofa 🙂 x
8 months after having a baby and I’m still a lot heavier than I was and a long way from where I want to be. Juggling workouts and babies is hard but I know that I’m also guilty of using my daughter as an excuse to get out of working out. I have signed up to the Beginner Running Program on Facebook which is designed to get non-runners to enjoy running, I hope it works. I haven’t tried Pilates but I’d love to, I used to do Astanga Yoga and loved it, that’s definitely something I need to sign up for again. I also tried an older version of Tracy Anderson and liked the concept but the reality left me jumping round my living room with little or no idea what I was supposed to be doing looking like my nan at a 90’s rave eeeeeeekk!
Xx
Hi Liz! My sister loves Astanga, I’ve never tried it myself but it sounds hardcore!
I used to run a lot – about 15 miles a week at one stage, I was very “fit” but my knees were a mess and my thighs were very muscular, I just didn’t like that look on me personally. However, I do miss it sometimes – especially now the weather is better, it’s one of the best ways to clear your head. This programme you have joined sounds like fun, keep me updated with how you get on x
Gulp! I’m thinking of going for Tracy Anderson! Reading the Amazon reviews it sounds as though it’s very hard. But I guess the joy of a DVD is you can go at your own pace and take it steady, building up how much you do each time. Have a bikini to get into by October so come my 6 week sign off I’m determined to start and be healthy, obviously being realistic about how much I can & should do! For now, post pregnancy exercise consists of lots of gentle walks to the parks & around the streets! I can’t drive after my C section for now. Feels good psychologically as well as physically to get outside. I’ve also learnt a lot about the area in which I’ve lived for two years but not really explored!
Hi Melissa, walking is good – very good, I do as much as I can, even if it’s just getting out for 20 minutes in the fresh air with Mabel. The Tracy Beginners is far easier than all of there other programmes – honestly, it’s only 30 minutes too.
You have to be careful after a C section, take it easy and build up gradually – I am x
You’ve reminded me I always meant to buy the Tracey Pregnancy DVD….I’m 25 weeks though now, is it silly to buy it now do you think?
I second the recommendations for Jillians DVDs – my favourite has to be No More Troublezones – really brilliant for toning and raises your heartrate nicely but allows for “pauses”….the intensity varies between different exercises which keeps you going. By the end of it you do feel like you have worked every muscle!
I’d say no, not too late – maybe you can get 2nd hand ones on Amazon? I’ve also used some of the moves post pregnancy as it’s quite gentle so well worth the investment x
I did Jillian 30 day shred and then a mix of her other DVDs and think they’re really good if done regular. We also got into running and did the half marathon last week which is a good fat burner.
Now we have started T25 last week which is a guy called Shaun T who does insanity, this is a shorter easier programme for ten/13 weeks that is meant to give amazing results! The photos are immense! It’s give workouts a week and twenty five min each with an extra one on day five! They are super fast and fairly fun but you sweat your balls off and feel like a lot of effort goes into it! It’s five weeks alpha (easier) and five weeks beta (hard) and three extra (crazy). This is only week two and after twelve hour shifts on your feet all day it takes some drive to do it after work but fingers crossed it gets me the results I want! Xx
Wow you are all so very disciplined, I’m really impressed! I started the post-pregnancy workout because of Charlotte’s recommendation. And now don’t laugh: without having been pregnant 🙂 I just wanted to get used to Tracey and find out how tough it is when I am still fairly fit. So at least when starting again after a hopefully soon pregnancy I can compare myself and know what’s in store! And I have to say I love it! I’m still no where near the 4-6 times a week that you are supposed to, but feel quite good about doing it 2-4 times. As soon as my husband is healthy again and done with all his treatments, we are planning on going running together, which I’m looking forward to quite a bit!
That sounds lovely Anja! I wish there was something James and I could do together, unfortunately he’s not into pilates or Tracy 🙂
Glad you like the DVD though – I love the chair stuff in particular x
I love pilates too – it’s the only exercise I’ve ever found that I actually look forward to! I try to go two times a week now too when I can – I’d love to read a feature from your teacher. I used to do circuit classes, but I found they were bulking me up, which wasn’t really the look I was going for (!) so I was worried about the lack of cardio – I’ve just started using resultswithlucy.com and I’m actually really impressed. It’s like exercise pick ‘n mix – loads and loads of videos, that are all about 5/10 minutes long each, so you pick and choose depending on what you feel like doing. I get bored easily, but so far the mix has kept me interested. Also, on a side note, I’ve started drinking a course of Tiny Tea (from yourtea.com) and I really like it so far – helps with bloating, and also gives you loads of energy. I read your article about clean eating the other day, so thought I’d mention it 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation Emily! On both the videos and the tea (does it taste nice?) I like the idea of a pick n mix, I too get bored quickly.
Pilates is amazing, I only wish I could do more classes x
Not going to lie, I was a bit worried about the taste but it’s actually fine. Very earthy, but if you add a slice of lemon it tones it down a bit! I was quite sceptical, because people kept putting pictures of their tummies on Instagram shrinking to half the size, which seemed miraculous for some hot water (!) but I’ve actually really liked it so far – I didn’t expect to feel more energetic because of it. Usually I need a coffee the size of my head in the morning, but I forgot to have one today, which hasn’t happened for a while…!x
My little lady is 9 months old now and although I’ve lost most of my baby weight, I’m very unfit (apart from having strong arms!). I like the sound of the Tracy Anderson DVD but am slightly concerned because I’ve still got a small gap in the abdominal muscles. Does she cover strengthening/gap reducing exercises? Once I’ve got some fitness and core strength back, I’m going to try the Insanity workout. My hubby bought it last year and loved it. I’ve tried Buggy Fit at a local park but had a couple of sessions when Amelie just cried so I think something I can do for home is definitely more practical for me. Thanks for the motivation!
Hi Sarah, the arm thing is mad isn’t it?! I have never had such biceps before!
Tracy doesn’t cover that no so I would consult your doctor before attempting anything strenuous on your abdominal area. I did that workout today and it is quite intense on your core/abs, I wouldn’t want to recommend something for you that is too advanced.
Insanity is highly regarded, my husband’s friend swears by it, it sounds scary to me (!) however I am strangely intrigued by it x