I know how tiring having a baby can be. I struggled to get back into working out after having children. But once I found something I really liked, it helped me feel stronger. I got into a routine and found myself making healthier choices.
Once your doctor gives you the okay to workout after having a newborn, try and make exercising part of your routine no matter how tired you feel. You don’t have to jump back into anything heavy, unless you were doing that before and enjoy that! You can start small. Focus on small achievements; we give our babies praise when they have a small achievement, why not do it for ourselves, too?
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Don’t go into it with the mentality of “I have to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight.” Go into it thinking, “This is good for my body and my health.” Focus on gaining back a part of you.
As a mom of two, I have found working out helps me be a better mom. And as my kids get older, they want to participate, too. It is also really great for my mental health.
I have a few tips on getting back into working out and a few workout regimens that I tried and helped me along my journey.
- Add into an already existing habit. You brush your teeth everyday? Try standing on one leg while doing that to engage your core. You have a playdate every Saturday at the park? Try walking there instead of driving. It takes time to get a habit to stick. Stick with it and you might even find yourself enjoying it.
- Find an exercise buddy. Look into community groups around you. Maybe there is a mom who lives near you that just wants to take walks too. Or maybe they are in a class that you have been meaning to try.
- Go at your own pace. Find something you like to do. Is it running, walking, lifting weights, biking, swimming? As moms we don’t have a lot of time, but a walk is something you can take with that little one, and it is a great starting point. I started out walking every other day and now it has progressed to every day.
- Look at some new programs. Try something you haven’t tried before but have always been interested in. I started a program called Get Mom Strong, and it is the best thing I have ever done. The instructor starts with core basics, which helps heal your core after having a baby. I started by just following her on Instagram, which doesn’t cost a dime!
- Make time for you. Take time to do something for yourself. Do you have 20 minutes while the baby sleeps? Do an online yoga session or go for a walk. Tell your husband that you are going to the gym — and do it! Create that time for you. Write it on the calendar if you have to!
- Lastly, change your self-narrative. The world is constantly pushing us into how we “should” look or what we “should” weigh. You just had a baby! Give yourself a pat on the back! You are amazingly strong! Decide the person you want to be. Start with small habits that will help you achieve that. If you tell yourself you are not good at running . . . guess what? You won’t want to go for a run. Don’t let the “shoulds” of the world hold you back. Rewrite your story. Become the strong mama you want to be.
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Think about how you feel after you achieve a new healthy habit? You feel good, you have more energy? Then keep it up! You got this mama! You are strong!
