Are you ready to start a safe postpartum fitness routine after baby, Mama? No matter if you are 6 weeks or 6 years postpartum, FIT4MOM Roswell Alpharetta Perimeter is here to help on your journey back to movement—our version of self-care.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG, recommends women continue fitness after pregnancy for various reasons, such as:

• It boosts energy levels.

• It promotes better sleep.

• It relieves stress and helps regulate emotions.

• It may be useful in decreasing the risk and symptoms of postpartum depression.

But listen, mama. Everybody is different. Listen again; everyBODY is different. No woman will have the same experience in pregnancy, birth, or during the 4th trimester (if you're pregnant and want to know more about movement in pregnancy, we've got info on that, too!). You may not have the same symptoms or dysfunctions that your mother had, or that you had with your previous children. However, there are some guidelines we can provide that make generalizations based on the response and research on many women.

This is your gentle reminder to start slowly and listen to your body. Your fitness routine should come from a place of no judgment or comparison, just awareness. It does not matter how "in shape" you were prior to pregnancy or how much you worked out during pregnancy—everyone needs time to heal from the 9 months of pregnancy. The goal of exercise should be your overall well-being, not your waistline.

If you are just starting to move again after birth, incorporate gentle walking and mobility exercises. Return to exercise with caution, at a much lower intensity, duration, and frequency. If you start out too hard or too soon, you may experience complications. In most cases, recently postpartum women are still healing from DRA and other pelvic floor dysfunctions. Your healing journey will dictate when it is right to start back with impact, large ranges of motion, and workouts of longer duration.

In those earliest weeks postpartum, short walks are your friend. The fresh air and movement can do wonders for you and baby. When you’re ready to start more, consider a class like Stroller Strides or Stroller Barre, where our instructor team can guide you through functional total body movement focused on rebuilding mobility, core strength, glute strength, and endurance - with exercises that prepare you for the physical demands of motherhood.

Ready to start? Schedule your first class today.