We hear it everywhere and still, no one can truly prepare you for the reality of that first year of parenthood. When it hits you that your time is no longer your own. Your arms that used to be free are now carrying around an infant practically 24/7. And while the thought of a workout used to be a chore you might put off from time to time, it was always available to you.
Nowadays you wonder, will I ever exercise again?
Fear not, because workouts are indeed achievable, even for a busy mom. Below I've recapped my most successful methods of weight loss since having my daughter nearly two years ago. And as my postpartum weight has been steadily trickling off, I wanted to share it with you.
1. Mommy & Me Workouts
All over the internet you can find great mom & baby workouts and yoga classes. These range from gentle postpartum recovery to calorie-torching. Don't discount these workouts as too easy, because they can be seriously challenging with the added weight strapped to your chest. I find mommy & me workouts very bonding and an efficient way to work off some weight without sacrificing any time with your little one.
I started when my daughter was only a few months old and she absolutely loved it! Being close to me was comforting for her and there are usually movements where you play with your baby, so she loved the extra attention and eye contact.
2. Gym Membership
Admittedly, mommy & me workouts tend to have an expiration date. Or at least, there comes a time when your child becomes too mobile to contain them to your exercise space. Once my daughter was a little too old for baby-wearing workouts and too prone to wander if I put her down, I began to explore gyms with childcare.
At first, I was terrified of the idea of leaving my baby with strangers. What if the staff was constantly rotating and none of them knew her? What if someone randomly decided to try and check her out? What if, what if, what if. Could I even be relaxed enough to even get a workout in?
To alleviate some anxiety, I decided to do a tour of my first choice gym. I asked questions and got to see lots of parents dropping off their little ones. Armed with knowledge and the reality that I am in fact not the first parent to use childcare, I ripped off the band aid.
Today, nearly all of the staff members at the childcare in my gym know my daughter by name. She loves to play there, is getting tons of invaluable socialization, and I'm getting great workouts.
3. Bust Out the Stroller
It would be unfair to assume that a gym membership is for everyone, whether the reason is financial or geographical. And this is why my next tip is to go for a good old fashioned walk. Studies have shown it's one of the most effective workouts for weight loss. In the summer time, I like to go first thing in the morning when it's nice and cool (and watching the sunrise isn't too shabby either).
Set yourself a steps goals to hit every day and get yourself an exercise watch. If you've never tried walking for weight loss, you'd be amazed at how many calories you can burn with the right speed and distance. Plus with an exercise watch you can observe your data and see at what pace you hit your ideal heart rate for calorie burn.
Walking around our neighborhood, I like to point out things and discuss them with my daughter. Sights and sounds of nature, colors of the cars driving by. It's bonding, it's educational, and I'm getting a great workout.
4. Dance Party
Another great at-home workout is to turn on a dance party video on YouTube. Again, you'd be surprised how many of them you find when you start to look. The great thing about these workouts is that once your child is too big to wear on you, they can actually participate! Little kids love dancing, especially when it's to music they like.
For me, I've realized that exercise is all about mindset. Humans will find any excuse not to do it. In reality, does watching your child mean you can't do squats? Does it mean you can't track your steps? Of course not! You just have to find a way to get past all the reasons not to do it.
Start with one thing you can commit to daily, like going on a 20 minute walk. Then add on from there. Don't get discouraged if you miss one. What we do most often is what changes us.
Bonus Tip: Use a Fitness Planner
I'm a lady that loves to feel organized, whether that's in my professional life, mom life, or personal life. Certainly when it comes to my weight loss goals, I need a way to track everything. In the fitness planners I was buying online, I found that they always came just short of some of the metrics I needed to track. No daily weight logs, and definitely no space for planning out my calories for the week.
This is why I created my own.
The Hot Mom Fitness Planner was designed for my own weight loss journey and for any other mom trying to squeeze weight loss into the busyness of parenting.
In it you'll find:
- A place to jot down your workouts for the week
- A place to plan your meals for the week (with calorie tracking!)
- Monthly check-ins
- Motivational tools to start your journey on the right foot and keep you in the right mindset
- Daily weight logs (to avoid surprises and keep you accountable)
If you want to try the Hot Mom Fitness Planner for yourself, you can find it on Amazon. I truly hope to hear your feedback if you decide to give it a try.
If no one's told you today,
You're doing great, Mama. 💓
I am a blogger mama raising a toddler as I attempt to work from home, keep food on the table, and keep the house intact, all while finding those precious moments of self care. I hope my blog encourages moms to take it all in, to savor our time with out children without forgetting about ourselves in the process. My goal in creating this space is not about productivity, but getting the most out of this life we are lucky to live. Whether that means pursuing your passions or being a happy and present mom. Not to encourage moms to do more, but to support moms in whatever they desire to be.
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