Press Office

Esporta Helps New Mums Figure It Out

Date: 20 Aug, 2004

Recent research has highlighted the pressure on new mums to quickly lose the weight they have gained during pregnancy and follow in the footsteps of celebrity mums who shed their extra few pounds in a matter of weeks.

Liz Hurley and Victoria Beckham have been picked up as role models, and targeted as sending out the wrong message to new mothers, who don't have the same quantity of time or money to invest in the rigorous programmes they themselves undergo.

However, it is widely recognised that weight loss is more sustainable if it happens over a longer period and is complemented by gentle exercise and a healthy diet rather than yo-yo dieting.  Premium health club operator, Esporta, supports this and has put together a tailored package to help new mums get back in shape.

'Exercise not only helps you get your figure back after childbirth but has also been proven to promote psychological well being, making you happier [1] and ultimately, helping to banish any baby blues,' comments Mark Talley, Esporta's health and fitness manager.' 

Esporta has created a list of top tips to ensure you get the most out of post-natal exercises:

• The key words for post-natal exercise are SLOW and STEADY.
• Combine walking or gentle jogging with light resistance exercise to tone your muscles.
• Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles is common after childbirth, so exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles should be a priority for all new mums. The Esporta fitness team will be happy to help with appropriate exercises.
• Avoid high impact activities for up to six months after childbirth. Your body will still be effected by the hormone relaxin, which loosens ligaments around joints, increasing your risk of injury.
• If you are breast feeding you will need to exercise at a lower intensity to prevent lactic acid accumulating in your milk.
• Finding time to exercise with a new baby can be difficult, supplement your visits to your gym with some home exercises, for example:
  
  
  • Briskly walking the baby in the pram will help to get your cardiovascular system in shape.
  • Include exercise in your daily routine - frequently walking up and down the stairs will soon add up.
  • Join a post-natal group and get active. Walk, talk and get out and about. This is a great way to meet other new mums who will share similar needs to get back into shape.
  • Remember, when you have had enough - stop! You are the best judge of how much exercise you can do.
  • Stop immediately if you feel abnormal pain of any kind and see your doctor.

Esporta's new mums membership package includes free fitness consultations and £100 worth of vouchers which can be spent either on pampering yourself with treats, or on personal training sessions.

And whilst you are soothing and exercising away your cares, there is no need to worry about your little one, as selected clubs have their very own crèche - perfect for both of you!  The crèches are run by qualified carers so you can be sure your little ones are in safe hands. 

To find out more information about this membership package visit www.esporta.com or call 0870 739 0039.

Ends

For further information or visit an Esporta club call:
Pippa Trentham / Joanna Randall, Corixa Communications, 0117 949 3394
Pippa.trentham@corixa.co.uk
Date of issue:  20 August 2004
Notes to editors:  [1] Source:  www.bupa.co.uk