Fit Mamas Club: Your Body After Baby

The dreaded "fourth trimester" - it's what most doctors often call the six weeks after delivery because your body
is continuing to change so much. And while many women lose an average of 10 pounds during childbirth (which
includes the weight of the baby), it takes much more time and effort to shed the rest of the weight you gained
during pregnancy. And even after you've managed to get back into your old size, don't be surprised if your
favorite clothes don't flatter you the way they used to. Your body may have created new problem areas like a
flabby belly and/or excess bulk on the hips and thighs. Changes in fat deposits and lost muscle tone also play a
role in altering your body shape. The most common concern among new mothers is how to get rid of their jelly
bellies and regain flatter, more toned stomachs. For some women, re-strengthening their core seems an easy
task, but for most it is an uphill battle that takes many months, even years.

But don't give up, Fit Mamas! Good nutrition and a gradual return to a well-rounded exercise regime (including walking, strengthening
and weight or resistance training) can help you restore your body to its pre-pregnancy state. And while getting back into a fitness
regime may not seem like much fun when you have a newborn to simply stare at and cuddle all the time, the sooner you get started,*
the easier it will be and the faster you'll start seeing results.

Fit Mamas Club helps you achieve your fitness goals by guiding you through proven techniques to restore your core, regain strength and
muscle tone and address those new problem areas so you look and feel your best…all without spending a single moment away from
your little one! Our instructors are certified fitness professionals who will teach you the most effective exercises and guide you on how
to do them properly to maximize impact.

Of course, the body itself isn't the only challenge new moms face. The "baby blues" - a short-lived period of mild depression
postpartum - is extremely common, affecting up to 85% of new moms, according to the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. Alarmingly, one in 10 of those women will experience the most severe form, postpartum depression (PPD). Postpartum
depression can surface anytime up to six months after childbirth, and if left untreated, can last up to a year or even longer. Common
symptoms include loss of appetite, loss of energy and motivation, increased crying or tearfulness and feelings of worthlessness,
hopelessness, restlessness, irritability or anxiousness.

Exercise can not only help you get your body back, it increases energy and may even reduce
risks of postpartum depression. In a paper published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's
Health, experts reported mounting evidence suggesting that exercise not only benefits
depressive symptoms in general but pointed to two studies indicating it may offer benefits
specifically for women with postpartum depression.

*Always check with your doctor before beginning this or any new fitness regime. If you
had a complicated pregnancy or delivery, restrictions may apply to you that prevent
your doing these exercises immediately. Begin only when your doctor clears you, and
always remember that patience and time will help - so don't get discouraged!