Fitness for Mums - Vix's Response

Mum Zone's resident Professional Fitness Specialist Vix of Mama Moves is available to answer some of your questions about fitness.

Topics include: Getting back your pre baby body, weight loss, toning and defining, body shaping, improved fitness, general wellbeing, hormonal balancing, increased strength and fitness, improvement or elimination of urinary incontinence, reduction in the size of diastasis recti, making the abdomen more stable, reduction or elimination of lower back pain, improved energy levels, decreased anxiety and stress levels, greater ability to carry out daily activities eg. lifting bub and more.

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Reader's Question

Since having my daughter 21 months ago, I have had a multitude of injuries from exercise. It seems as though my joints have retained the laxicity from childbirth. Have you had clients with this problem and what sort of exercises would you prescribe for this problem?

Vix's Response

I recommend that all clients start exercise no earlier than 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. This gives you time to have your 6 week postpartum checkup and time for you body to start feeling a little normal again. The 6 to 8 week postpartum time frame is also for your baby, as this will give your little one time to settle. It is important to remember that your joints and ligaments will still be relatively loose for about 3 to 5 months. I must say I have not come across a client with this condition after 21 months, so my only thought is that you may have started back at exercise a little to early to allow your body to fully recover, hence multiple injuries. I would suggest at this stage to be careful not to overstretch and focus on strengthening your joints and muscles by doing a program of pilates based exercises and light weights. You need to create strength and stability in your joints and the surrounding muscles.

Vix

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The opinions expressed on these pages are of a general nature and are by no means a substitute for professional advice. Therefore neither Mum Zone or Vix Erber of Mama Moves are liable for any actions pertaining to the use of the supplied information.