Working out but after the baby

Baby has arrived safe and sound. They are starting to get on a schedule (or not), and you are starting to think about your post-baby body, and getting back to pre-baby condition. Is it easy? That answer is debatable. Is it achievable? Most definitely, YES! There are tons of mommy’s that end up looking better after having a baby, because there are motivated.

Getting back into shape takes a few major factors:

1. Dedication

2. Support

3. Motivation

4. Planning

5. Ability to be flexible

6. A good plan (nutrition and workout) This article will cover the above six areas, and how to push yourself back into GREAT shape.

Many moms who do get back in shape will tell you they were dedicated. They found time, made time and fit in workouts so that they could fit into their old jeans again. No matter what you want in life, dedication is the key. Pre-planning, family support and being motivated will help you maintain dedicated, but at the end of the day, you must make a point to be dedicated to getting back into shape.

This leads to your support system. A husband who will rock the baby for even 20 minutes so you can jog around the block or do a circuit of sit-ups, push ups and burpees is awesome. A mother who will spend time with their grandbaby so you can hit the gym for half an hour is super! Friends who want to go on baby jogs are wicked. As with dedication, support is crucial, but not critical. There are many famous, rich, fit, superstar athletes that did not have the support of their family, loved ones or friends. They were told they were crazy, to except that they are average, that their bodies will never be the same after pregnancy, the list can go on. If you are in this situation, you may need to reach out to online support groups, FaceBook fit mommy teams, join a mommy fitness class or ask a friend to go on walks with you. Don’t let this be the end of your goal if your husband or friends do not support your goals of fitness. Remind yourself that you have a reason to be making time for fitness and health. A happy mommy makes a happy family.

If you do not have a lot of support, then motivation will be the most important part of your regime. Even if you do have support, motivation is the only thing that will drive you to workout when your tired, full of baby spit-up or can’t find a clean sports bra. Motivation is one or two or three reasons that will force you to make time to wash and chop veggies to have on hand for quick snacking. It could be another mommy that beat the post baby body blues, or a pair of jeans you want to get back into. Take a few minutes and list what motivates you:

a) To be able to run after your toddler

b) To be a good example to your family and others

c) To fit in a LBD (little black dress) in 6 months

d) To look amazing at a school/family reunion

e) To wear shorts in the summer

So now you are motivated, dedication and have some support to help you get there. What next? Plan out your day, week, month Research what you need to get to your goal weight. Understand how you will need to eat, through out the day. Learn more about what clean eating is, and how to incorporate this into your daily life. Pre plan your meals and make a grocery list so you have all the food on hands. Book your workouts, and arrange baby care, or plan jogs in the morning every day with your baby. Look into child care at your local gym. Some gyms have really affordable child care, which may be as cheap as a dollar per a visit if you go five times a week for an hour! That is SUPER. Sign up for a mommy fitness class that incorporates baby into your fitness class.

All the above recommendations are flexible options, and that is the most crucial part of getting back in shape, the ability to be flexible. Any mommy knows that a baby could love an 11am nap for two weeks and all of a sudden need a nap at 9am when you were heading to the gym. It is important here to remind yourself that it is about calories in, calories out, eat well, workout, what is less important is the time you actually spend in the gym. If you miss a gym session workout quick before you do laundry, during babies nap time. Or hit the park with your toddler and run after them for a little while. What a lot of moms face is the self destructive thoughts of a missed workout or being in a place with out their veggies and dip. Flexibility applies to your nutrition as well. Educate yourself on-line with good eating out options in case you are stuck out of the house, with no food for your self. Its always helpful as well, to pack a snack in your bag (best to do this the night before) so that last minute munchies don’t turn into one minute pizza lunches.

So now you are motivated, dedicated, planning your days and are open to being flexible. That means you just need a good nutrition plan and workout plan. Here are some good recommended reads that are specifically for MOMMIES, to get you started and stay motivated:

The Eat Clean Diet: Recharged
Naturally Fit, Mom
Busy Moms Ultimate Fitness Guide
Loose That Baby Fat
Fit Mama: A Real Life Guide for the New Mom