Tips for Staying on Track After Having a Baby

After making the decision to start a fitness program of any kind, the next challenge is to stay committed. This can be difficult for any person who is looking to be more active in their daily life, but it’s even harder after you have a baby! I have experienced it first hand, twice, so I thought I would share some tips that helped me stay consistent and get the benefits that regular exercise gave me following the birth of each my two babies.

1. Add it to your calendar. The truth is, exercise needs to be a daily habit. Just like brushing your teeth. Treat it like a sacred appointment (initially, it might help to pretend it’s a spa day or a date with a friend or your partner). You’ll be more successful if you write it down in your calendar instead of just mentally noting your workout plan in your head.

2. Get ready the night before. Lay out all of the clothes you’ll need to wear for your activity and pack for your baby as well. That way all you need do to is eat and feed the baby before you grab your bags (that are already prepared!) and go.

3. Anticipate and plan for the unexpected. Life happens! Whether you were planning an outdoor workout and you get inclement weather, your friend bails or your baby is sick, sometimes life can sideline your plans. The trick is to be able to adapt and react to the change. I have a collection of pre-recorded workouts on hand to queue up when life hands me lemons. Also, it’s the age of the internet. There are plenty of free exercise programs that are shared online or on any number of apps! Choose one to do at home instead.

4. Build fitness into your daily routine. Use you baby carrier and wear your baby when doing errands or cleaning the house. Enjoy a brisk stroller walks as many days of the week as you can. Chase your older kids at the park or kick a ball around. Use a parking space further away and take the stairs more often. Research has show that short bursts of moderate activity incorporated into your day are beneficial to your health.

5. Get your partner involved. Whether your partner is simply your cheerleader, giving you lots of emotional support to help keep you on track, OR they are your workout buddy, their support is invaluable. Partners can stay home with the little ones so you can make it to an evening class or take a solo walk/run. You can also commit to nightly family walks. In our family, my husband and I support one another by making sure that each of us has time for personal fitness. We both play team sports and we also commit to individual workouts like running. In recent years we’ve begun to take fitness classes together and it’s a lot of fun! It is well documented that partner support increases the likelihood that you’ll be successful in achieving any goals you have set for yourself! Make sure you tell your partner what you need though, and be clear about the type of support you require, whether it's to take the kids while you hit the gym or walk with your friend or committing to eating healthier through the week. In the end, you will both reap the benefits!

What other strategies have you employed to make sure you are using the workout clothes you purchased for their intended purpose?  Let me know!  I would love to hear from you!  

And if you’re ready to #jointhemotherhood, we have great classes on our schedule to choose from. It doesn’t matter if you had a baby a few weeks ago, a few months ago or 10 years ago, we’ve got you covered!