In our opinion working out is NOT to lose weight, to look better, to impress others, to get a revenge body…
Yes – we love confidence and we would totally root for you in all those scenarios.
But the important reason for exercise is because, after the age of about 40, your muscles start to break down pretty quickly. The most unfair part? It takes about 48-72 hours for muscular atrophy to start when a muscle isn’t being utilized, and about 8-12 weeks to build the same muscles back up!
After 60, it becomes THE HARDEST to rebuild those muscles if we aren’t constantly utilizing them. It’s the true life example of “If you don’t use it, you lose it?”
We see this so much, especially with pregnancy and postpartum – most specifically in our pelvic floor, which leads to that pesky leakage when we jump, squat, sneeze, cough, or hold too much in for too long.
But there are other muscle groups that we stop using especially in sensitive cases of pregnancy and healing like bed rest and c-sections, and it becomes SO HARD to build those muscle groups back up after proper rest, and rest is totally necessary! So frustrating, we know.
So what can you do?
Try working in exercise through your everyday life in simple ways. Take it as baby steps to work your way up to more muscle building.
- For example, take the steps instead of the elevator in buildings when you don’t have the stroller with you! Sometimes we get so much into the habit of taking the elevator with strollers, that we forget to take the steps when we don’t have our kids! Yes! Even if it is 10 flights! You can do it, mama! Or at least SOME of the flights! 😃
- Park as far as you can, but close to the cart return spots at the store! That way, you get more steps in, but you can easily pop your baby carrier into the cart and the toddler into the seat! And you can easily put away the cart when you get back in your car!
- While you’re doing the dishes, prop your legs up as high up as you can on a step stool or even the counter if you can make it! That’s to stretch those groin muscles that are attached to your pelvis!
- Do squats or toe rises in the shower as you wait the two minutes before rinsing your shampoo!
- Your baby and toddler are GREAT live weights! Do arm exercises while making eye contact to make them giggle! Hold them at arm’s length in front of your chest, and move your arms gently up and down. Do the same thing, while moving your arms all the way to the left and all the way to the right! You’ll feel it!
BONUS – have a dance party while holding your little one! Not only is this a great way to connect and get some wiggles out, but it partners cardio with weight lifting and core strengthening!
Part of the well-woman care visits totally include some of these tips if they apply to you. Speaking of applying, be sure to click the button below to see if you’d be a good fit for our Well Woman Care Visits!
