I am back to working out and getting my diet in check after being pregnant all year. I wasn't great with my diet or exercise during my pregnancy but I am ready to get back into the swing of things.

I had a C-Section 4 weeks ago and I right now I can't go full swing into an exercise program but I am working on my diet and trying to get more active since I feel a bit more normal now. Any ladies out there have any advice for a post C-Section routine and what to avoid or do to help me get my body back?

Thanks so much!

First, congrats on baby and welcome back to exercise. I don't have any first-hand experience with a c-section but I have birthed two babies. Even then the hardest thing to do post-pregnancy was sit up. Just being pregnant destroys the ab muscles. In fact, pregnancy actually separates the ab muscles. I would suggest that as soon as your doc gives the okay to work on your core a few times a week -- not every day. Just sitting up in bed is practically a core exercise. Also be sure to work your lower back, as picking up a baby all day can be dangerous without strong back muscles. Work on strengthening the lower back. Some back raises would be good. Also look up glute ham raises -- something to work toward. Then when you are fully back at it, lift heavy and focus on compounds since you're probably not going to have a lot of time to fritter away at the gym. It's hard enough to get time to have a shower.

Then when you are fully back at it, lift heavy and focus on compounds since you're probably not going to have a lot of time to fritter away at the gym. It's hard enough to get time to have a shower.

After I gave birth, I tried to make it a point to exercise whenever I watched tv. So, if you can't even make it to the gym, or if you'd like to supplement that, save your ab and back exercises for these times. Once baby can hold up his head on his own, you can do exercises with baby too. (eg. lunges and squats)

Thanks for the tips!

My fiance just gave birth. She exercised before and throughout her pregnancy and she's lost practically all of the weight she gained because of that (and breastfeeding of course). It's been 3 weeks since her delivery and she will be able to resume her workouts in another week or so. I will be tracking her progress on my website at http://kamaral.com in the coming weeks if anyone is interested. I will talk about her workouts, post videos of her favourite exercises etc..