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I’m producing a series of short workouts for prenatal and postnatal women. The workouts will be pilates based but also address many of the aches, pains, and strains that you might encounter during your pregnancy!
This short audio series will be available for download so you can listen to it on your ipod, iphone, or other mp3 player.
If you would like to be notified the second the audio classes are available, please send an email with the subject message: Prenatal Mat Pilates Audio Workout.
A common question I get from new moms who are looking to flatten their stomaches and get back in shape is…will Pilates help me lose my pregnancy weight?
“I gave birth 7 weeks ago and I want to start working out now that I’m healed to lose this pregnancy weight. I’ve already lost 22 lbs just by eating better, but I want to tone my body up. Is this a good exercise to help lose the weight? If not, do you suggest anything else I can do at home? “
Pilates is a great exercise. I wouldn’t say it’s the best exercise to lose weight but to tone up, it’s great. I think is probably your bet bet to go for Pilates. It’s a well balanced form of exercise and unlike some other forms of exercise you are not likely to quit just because you’re exhausted. But don’t take me wrong, you can get really sore after a good Pilates class. If you want fast results go for some supercardio workout, running is a good example but don’t forget that this can be harmful to your back However, if you prefer longer lasting results go for the Pilates slow approach, it even flattens your belly, as posture and abs are the main things in Pilates. Needless to say I am a Pilates fan. I used to do all sorts of exercise but since I started with Pilates I just go for an odd extra exercise.
There are definitely lots of approaches to teaching pilates. Some people are very slow in their instruction, some people are faster. I think the key to losing pregnancy weight is to get moving – in whatever way it is comfortable for your healing body. Also, I think that you need to get your diet in order. I’m not saying go on a diet. I’m saying – it’s time to stop all those overeating habits that many of us (me included) adopt during our pregnancy. We give ourselves the free pass to stuff our face not thinking that we will have to somehow stop that behavior after the baby is born.
Your diet and nutrition is the single most important factor in losing weight and keeping it off. Nothing worked for me until I actually got my eating under control. Then, my pilates work was finally revealed!
So try the following:
- Try A Pilates for Postnatal Women DVD or Video
- Clean Out Your Kitchen & Start Eating Better
- Start Doing Cardio at least 3x a week
At the beginning you really need to start slower than you probably think you do. Let your body heal and just ease back into exercise.
I didn’t want to waste time, so I’m posting this great video featuring Lynne Robinson. She provides a really straightforward pilates routine that you can do in almost anywhere. If you get a chance to take a class, a private session, definitely go for that…or even just pick up her amazing Pilates Pregnanacy Guide: Optimum Health and Fitness for Every Stage of Your Pregnancy
Pilates Guru Lynne Robinson demonstrates a prental pilates routine to help with exercise during pregnancy.
Duration : 0:4:9
