Getting the old girl back in shape

You'll want to encourage her to get back in shape

Once the first child arrives it’s all over for that sexy waistline that caught your eye when you first laid eyes on your partner. Well, not quite, but a reality of motherhood is that women’s bodies change and a little understanding from you will avoid any diplomatic meltdown in the relationship. With your sensitive encouragement you can help the old girl get back in shape, some mothers recover well after child birth and others simply find it all too much.

A pregnant woman puts on as much as a third of her body weight by full term and amazingly less than 25 per cent of this is actually the baby’s weight! Much of this is increased blood and fat (as well as muscle) around the uterus and on the hips and thighs. The body deliberately reacts like this to help support the baby during pregnancy and although much is lost immediately after birth, she’ll still be leaving the hospital in a maternity dress.

An exercise bike is ideal for home care routines

Helping your partner get back in shape is quite a challenge and all depends on whether or not she really wants to. Some women are so pre-occupied with being mothers they can’t find the time or motivation to exercise, and certainly don’t want to be dieting when they are breast feeding. The choice is entirely hers, but you can encourage her by actively planning exercise and taking care of the baby while she goes off for a walk, run, or cycle. A visit to the gym might not be practical but an exercise bike in the house will be convenient.

For the first month you can forget about even suggesting some exercise, as you’ll both be too occupied to even think about leaving the house. If she has had a caesarean, she’ll be in pain for the first week and feel delicate around the tummy for the first month, to the point of not being able to have sex. Thereafter you can perhaps help her with a routine if she is keen to get back in shape.

Exercises

There are several exercise routines we can suggest.

• Gentle floor exercises can be found in all pregnancy and baby books and are a good start for getting the muscles toned again, leading up to some aerobic exercise to burn off the excess fat on the tummy or thighs.
• Exercise bikes are a good idea for snatching some exercise while the baby is asleep, and for remaining close at hand. This sort of calorie-burning exercise is ideal for slimming. Remember she will still be eating lots while breast feeding and exercise is the most effective way to stay thin.
• Yoga is a favourite among women for toning up and improving suppleness. If you plan early enough in advance to attend classes in the early stage of the pregnancy (on advice from the instructor of course,) or she is an old hand she’ll be able to do the movements and asanas by herself at home once a routine has been established with the baby.
• If you have the benefit of a baby sitter then you can actively encourage a vigorous walk or even a jog if the weather is good, by planning the exercise together and having the patience to join her. Suggesting it as a means to take a break from the house is one crafty method of getting her motivated.
• Some women are obsessed with their figures and you’ll have no problem getting her off to the gym after the first month, provided you offer to baby sit. You might have to entice others with a gym membership and get them into it while they are still pregnant and able to do mild exercise.

Remember, it’s her choice whether or not she wants to exercise, and you’ll need to be sensitive with your suggestions, bearing in mind she might be too exhausted and pre-occupied to care. If you are both health and fitness conscious people by nature you’ll have no problem at all, on the other hand if the two of you would rather be in the pub with your mates then you’re going to have accept the beauty in ‘mother figures’.

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