It’s time for me to hold myself accountable – and you can too!!
Yes, it’s easy to sit on the couch and make excuses. Yes, it’s hard to get out of the house when you’re trying to breastfeed a crying baby, and find time in between all of the naps and diaper changes and crying fits to do something for yourself. But just because you’re a mommy now doesn’t mean that you can’t take care of yourself!!
If you’re lucky enough to have a fancy membership to an expensive gym, then you may be able to take advantage of their daycare program. Then you can use their nice equipment and maybe even get to see a personal trainer!! But most mommies don’t have the luxury of getting to the gym several times a week.
Here are a few other ways to help get yourself back into shape:
YOGA!! Prenatal yoga helped me to prepare my body for birth, and there is also the option of Baby & Mommy Yoga at Sunshine Family Yoga. If you are able to find a local yoga studio that teaches “Itsy Bitsy Yoga”, you can bring your baby along and there are many classes where you can do yoga together!! Now you can tone your body, while also helping your baby reach developmental milestones.
Family-centered fitness classes. Sometimes, fitness classes are offered where your small children are welcome as well. It’s great when you can bring your baby to class too!! Look for classes such as babywearing cardio, “tots and squats”, and more.
Get a jogging stroller!! Jogging strollers have bigger wheels and are great for jogging, power-walking, and more. It’s great to get your baby outside in the fresh air, and you can get out and burn some calories!!
Do your own babywearing workout from home! Wearing your baby helps to calm them down, while giving you the extra hands to get things done. You are also carrying an extra weight, which helps to tone your muscles. Do some squats (start with just a couple, then add a few repetitions each day), lunges, stair climbing, and wall squats. When you’re wearing your baby, it doesn’t take long to break into a sweat!!
Incorporate your baby into the workout! Dance with them, or for them as entertainment. Lying on your back, lift your baby as a weight to get a good core workout!! Let them lie on the floor, and kiss their belly as you do push-ups. Now it’s fun for both of you!!
Get silly! Lots of toddlers LOVE dancing… playing interactive games like “Just Dance” are a perfect way to get your small children in on the fun. Or just pull up some 80’s tunes on YouTube and dance like nobody’s watching!!
Drink more water! No matter how much you exercise you get and how well you eat, your body isn’t going to burn any fat if you’re dehydrated. Think of your body as a car, and water is your fuel…. that engine isn’t going to do much if the tank is empty!! You should be consuming HALF of your body weight in oz every day. (If you weigh 180 that’s 90 oz, or 8+ glasses of water every day!) Add in a small splash of orange juice for a bit of flavor, and that little boost can help control hunger and sugar cravings throughout the day.
Make several small changes to your daily routine. Park a little further away every time you go to the grocery store…. Take a picnic to the park and get in an extra 20-minute walk… Do a few laps around the mall if it’s too cold to walk outside… Or take the kids to the zoo on a nice day. Little changes can make a big difference in the long run!
'
Getting yourself into shape is always easier said than done – but I am working on making myself accountable, and trying to set a good example that my whole family can follow. What goals have you set for yourself today?