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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
 
Location: TN | How did y’all get your core strength back after having a baby? We welcomed our daughter almost 6 weeks ago and we are crazy about her!! It has changed our world for the better but it has also changed my body and riding ability. I can walk/trot fine but loping hurts my back and I feel like I’m riding like a stiff bouncy old lady. Help!
What did y’all do to regain strength without pushing your healing body too hard? |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4627
  
Location: Texas | Congratulations on your little one! After I was cleared by my doctor to ride again, I spent about three or four weeks longer just focusing on core strengthening exercises such as planks, sit ups, Russian twists, inverted sit ups, and running. After that, I got back in the saddle and it helped me quite a bit. Also, just riding can help you strengthen your core, it will just take longer though. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| No experience yet in post baby specifically, but I do get stiff and have occasional back pain - I spend some time each morning do yoga. There’s an app called Down Dog that I just love that has various times, levels, speeds, and can give you as much or as little verbal instruction as you need plus a video to follow with. It’s also great for balance and core strength while being low impact and easily paused if you need to attend to baby :)
I need to get back to it. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | This isn't core work, but doing a spin class at the local YMCA has helped me tremendously in the area of thigh/lower body strength and balance. My balance was in the toilet after I had my two kids. And, it's great cardio. I really think I would have bit the dust once or twice since getting back into barrel racing after 4 years had I not been going to spin classes.
I also do a lot of sit up variations, leg raise variations, butterfly kicks, squats, planks and (as much as I them) burpees to work core/overall body at home.
Ps. Congrats on your new addition! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | BarrelRacing4Christ - 2018-07-21 11:00 PM
Congratulations on your little one! After I was cleared by my doctor to ride again, I spent about three or four weeks longer just focusing on core strengthening exercises such as planks, sit ups, Russian twists, inverted sit ups, and running. After that, I got back in the saddle and it helped me quite a bit. Also, just riding can help you strengthen your core, it will just take longer though.
Thank you! Those are great exercise suggestions. I’ll start working on those. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | OhMax - 2018-07-22 9:27 AM
No experience yet in post baby specifically, but I do get stiff and have occasional back pain - I spend some time each morning do yoga. There’s an app called Down Dog that I just love that has various times, levels, speeds, and can give you as much or as little verbal instruction as you need plus a video to follow with. It’s also great for balance and core strength while being low impact and easily paused if you need to attend to baby :)
I need to get back to it.
Yoga is a great idea! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | MOGirl07 - 2018-07-23 11:12 AM
This isn't core work, but doing a spin class at the local YMCA has helped me tremendously in the area of thigh/lower body strength and balance. My balance was in the toilet after I had my two kids. And, it's great cardio. I really think I would have bit the dust once or twice since getting back into barrel racing after 4 years had I not been going to spin classes.
I also do a lot of sit up variations, leg raise variations, butterfly kicks, squats, planks and (as much as I them) burpees to work core/overall body at home.
Ps. Congrats on your new addition!
Thank you! I never would have thought of spin class helping with balance. That’s a great idea! |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | If you get a good instructor, they'll have you do various moves that REALLY target thighs and lower abs. I've been out of my class for about a month and I desperately need to go back!  |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Congrats! Hope you all are healthy and doing well!
I had a kiddo about 8 months ago - focus on core work. It will improve your balance and riding ability faster than about anything.
I swam and walked a ton during pregnancy so my comeback wasn't terrible - but I have struggled with timing and speed. So, focus on your core. Work basic maneuvers with your horse and above all, be kind to yourself. You basically just went through a car crash and now get to rehab yourself, time & patience are your friends!
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | KatieMac88 - 2018-07-21 10:44 AM How did y’all get your core strength back after having a baby? We welcomed our daughter almost 6 weeks ago and we are crazy about her!! It has changed our world for the better but it has also changed my body and riding ability. I can walk/trot fine but loping hurts my back and I feel like I’m riding like a stiff bouncy old lady. Help! What did y’all do to regain strength without pushing your healing body too hard? My newest little guy was born just about 5 months ago. Got back in the saddle at 2 months. Started working out at home after 2 weeks (21 day fix). This was baby #2 for me, so I guess "been there done that" LOL.
Spending lots of time in the saddle will help you get your strength back, but just general exercise, especially ones that work on your balance and core will help.
And just give yourself time. It takes time for all those stretched muscles to get back to where they were. (and some are just never the same!!) Of course, don't push yourself too hard too fast. Your body knows it's limits.
Edited by r_beau 2018-07-24 12:17 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 264
| I just had my little one 8 weeks ago, so riding for only 2 weeks now. I felt like I had never been on a horse my first few rides back. No core or leg strength whatsoever. I could hardly pull myself up into the saddle :( I started running and doing planks which has helped a ton! |
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