New Mommies UNITE!

It seems everyone around me is reproducing! My friend had a baby in March and in May my brother and his wife welcomed their son Reeves into their family. While vising with them on Father's Day, my brother's wife asked how she could work out or lose some baby weight while at home with her son. Which prompted me to write this post. Between nursing, changing diapers, preparing meals (and cleaning up after those meals), visiting the playground, and trying to squeeze in a shower, being bored is something I'm sure new mothers WISH for! Life as a stay-at-home parent isn’t all about Bon-Bons and soap operas (thank goodness!). Stay-at-home parents work just as hard as those who clock in elsewhere, and often find themselves stuck in the same no-time-to-exercise trap that businessman and overworked employees find themselves in.

I'm not a mother, nor have I ever stayed at home with a child all day, but just because you're a new mother with a baby to care for does not mean you need to stop caring for yourself! Regular workouts can bring peace to your day and fitness to your body and new mothers need BOTH. If you’re desperate for fitness but can’t seem to find the time, all you need is some planning and a little creativity. Taking care of yourself makes you a happier woman, and therefore a better mother- so to all the new mommies out there who are trying to find ways to cram workouts into your busy schedule- hope this post helps!

1. Exercise with your kids. If your kids are old enough, let them bike while you run or rollerblade. Hiking makes for a fun family activity that keeps everyone shape. Or, create a fitness course in the backyard, complete with jump rope, jumping jack, and pushup stations- AND JOIN IN!
2. Invest in a jogging stroller or a “kid trailer” for your bike. When you’re pushing or pulling one of these, you’re sure to get a good workout—your kids will enjoy it too! Another current trend is the newly developed StrollerFit class, where parents (with their stroller-age children) utilize strollers for a cardiovascular and strength-building workout. Although not all areas off the class- it's something worth looking into at gyms local to your area!
3. Strap baby to you in a baby carrier. If your baby is too young to feel comfortable in a stroller, you can still exercise together. There are many comfortable baby carriers on the market, including slings, front carriers, and backpacks. Adding 10-20 pounds to your frame for a walk will boost calorie burn, helping you shed those extra pounds. So strap up baby and head outside for a power walk- TRUST ME carrying baby will really bust into those legs and glutes!
4. Join a gym with child-care, or add it to your membership. Whether you don’t enjoy the great outdoors, or you live in a climate with blustery winters or lots of rain, outdoor exercise with the kids is not always an option. On-site childcare facilities offer convenience, and the peace of mind that if your child needs you, you’re only an intercom page away. Some gyms even have fitness classes for kids, so while you pump iron, the munchkins learn how to do the grapevine or other fun activities. Get a list of gyms close to you, and call around for pricing, child care options, hours of operation etc. Then compare before you commit to buying!
5. Sign up for parent-baby yoga classes. If these are offered in your area, parent-baby yoga classes can help you build strength and stamina, reduce stress, and provide you another opportunity to bond with your child. Yoga enhances not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well!
6. Purchase some exercise videos. Yoga, Pilates, low-impact aerobics, and kickboxing can all be done on your living room floor with little or no equipment. Before you buy, rent a few from your local video store or check them out from the library to see which ones you like. Read reviews online, check youtube for video clips and samples, and pick one or two that look promising to you!
7. Improvise. If you miss your aerobics class because of a marathon naptime, pop in an exercise video or do lunges in the backyard with the baby monitor hooked to your pants. Don’t stress if you don’t get that perfect workout in every time. With exercise, doing some is always better than doing none, and often as parents you need to improvise around your child's schedule. Don't stress about it- just get creative and do the best you can!
8. Most importantly, put exercise on your “to-do” list. Make it a priority. If that means getting up an hour early for a run, then set the alarm and go for it. Write it down if you NEED to- write "EXERCISE" on your grocery list or list of chores! You’ll benefit in countless ways, plus you’ll be a happier, more peaceful parent for your kids.