Daily Mirror - September 2010

How To Get Your Pre-Baby Body Back

When we saw THOSE pictures of Claire Nasir working out in a tight, bright bikini, the words ‘yummy mummy’ didn’t spring to mind. Think lumps, bumps and cellulite. So what can the average new mum do to get her old body back?

Health and fitness expert Laura Williams says a cautious approach is the best. “Not only is a new mum not up to a boot camp-style workout after giving birth, there’s no need for her to go hell for leather to regain her pre-baby body”, she insists.

“Eating regularly and taking daily walks with the baby will go a long way to getting back into your jeans. “Intense workouts put tremendous strain on an already-stressed pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, while joints are still vulnerable to damage because of the pregnancy hormone relaxin which still circulates in the body. A new mum who’s coping with all the demands of a newborn should forget the five-day-a-week habit - think instead of daily, 40-minute walks. Invest in a couple of good exercise DVDs that are divided into sections - so that way you can work on a different problem area each day for as little as 10-15 minutes at a time - while baby’s down for a nap.

New mums should forget skinny celebs - that’s not how Mother Nature designed us to be! Pregnancy fat is meant to be tough to shift - the body is designed to hang onto it to support breastfeeding. Pinging back into shape can come at a high price - your nervous system can suffer because you’re not getting enough fuel and you’re stressing an already tired body.”

To book a session or to find out how Laura can help you get into shape, email her at laura@laurawilliamsonline.co.uk

Or call her on 07712 001525.