Last July 21, 2020, Valerie “Bangs” Garcia and husband Lloyd Birchmore welcomed their second daughter, Isabella. After two months, Bangs shared a photo of her postpartum body.
“Working out on your path to pregnancy and during pregnancy does wonders for you and your future baby!” the mom of two wrote on Instagram.
After having an emergency C-section when she delivered her first child, daughter Amelia, now 2, the actress opted for an elective C-section this time around. Still, recovering after having a second C-section isn’t a walk in the park.
Bangs admitted that she used to be a “fitness freak” before she became a mom. Since moving to the U.K., though, she has not frequented the gym as often before. But it did not stop her from working out a few months after she gave birth to Amelia.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW“Our bodies change over time though, it takes a while to get close to our pre-pregnancy shape and size whether we’ve worked out or not,” the mom of two wrote on Instagram. “Breastfeeding will also help you lose the baby weight as long as you’re eating a healthy diet and not overdoing it,” Bangs continued.
Having a fitness routine helped Bangs a lot
Women don’t need the gym to stay active, Bangs stressed. It could be just “walking in the woods, gardening or housework, anything that gets your heart pumping,” she suggested.
If you’re trying to conceive, working out helps boost fertility when you’re trying to conceive. Bangs shares that exercise builds strength that women will need for pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood.
Exercising during pregnancy can help prevent the onset of symptoms such as swelling, manage weight gain, and lower the risks of developing pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowAccording to the mom of two, working out while pregnant also benefits the baby’s brain and heart health.
“Motivation could be really tough to come by, even tougher to execute exercises at home with a toddler &and toughest now that I have a new baby!” Bangs admitted. She thought she wouldn’t be able to exercise after having her second child.
“‘Self-discipline and balance’ is the key,” she added. Bangs is thankful she worked out before and during her pregnancies. She also advised moms to keep a positive attitude.
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