returning to swimming after a complicatedpregnancy
Former Member
Hi, I'm a 35 year old woman who recently had a tough pregnancy and recovery. I swam 3-4 miles a week for 10 years before getting pregnant. I unfortunately was unable to swim during and just after having my son. I am happy to report that I have gotten back in the water this past week... boy! what happened to my stomach muscles?!? Right now I'm focusing on seeing what I can do, but would like some advice on how to help rebuild my abdominal strength. My land based training consists of an aerobic workout 3 days a week and Winsor Pilates for my stomach 5 days a week. My goal is to build back up to where I was before. Any suggestions?
Former Member
Congratulations on the birth of your son! :woot: (and on getting back into the pool!!) To work on your abdominal muscles a little try doing dolphin kick on your back during your kick sets. Try it with fins for a while which will let you feel some speed and make you move more water. Then go without the fins as you get stronger. Try holding a good streamline as you kick, too.
Former Member
thanks. I'll give this a try. I went to the pool without my fins the other day and really felt it in my lower abs while doing kicks. I should probably also remind myself that my abs are not going to magically reappear overnight.:D
Rebecca,
Congrats on your son and on getting back in the water!
Dolphin kicking does seem to be the best way to work those abs. I do NOT have a great dolphin kick, so entire lengths of dolphin is incredibly painful (both for me to do and for others to watch). Instead, I make a goal to do a minimum of 2 dolphins off every wall for freestyle... and as many as possible when swimming back or fly. If a decent portion of your workout is freestyle, these few dolphin kicks here and there really add up. As a result, my dolphin kick has actually improved and the abs have slowly come back (I have a 2 year old.) I think *** pull with a dolphin kick works the abs too, especially if you're focusing on using your core to lift yourself out of the water.
Good luck!
Carrie
