When you remove the excuses, you can actually workout with kids.
If you know my personality, you know I am not a lover of working out. While some people actually find joy in it, I just never have been a fan of it. However, when I got pregnant last year with Liana, I understood the importance of getting back moving to stay healthy in pregnancy and I was adamant about working out at least 2-3 times a week. Now that I am 6.5 months post-partum and post surgery, I felt comfortable enough to get back in to the swing of things. Here are a few tips for any mom who’s looking to get started or even get back into her fitness.
1. Remove the excuses.
You read that right. If there’s no medical reason or potential health reason why you are unable to workout, chances are it’s an excuse. While I don’t know everyone’s story, I do know that I have used my kids as an excuse about fifty zillion times. With Youtube, free fitness videos on Facebook, fitness apps that you can LISTEN TO that will guide you through a workout, those motivational videos on Instagram, there is NO EXCUSE for you not to work out.
One of the main excuses that has really been a hang up for me was the fact that I could not hold myself accountable. It’s true. Some people are great at working out alone. I’m just not one of those people. I need people around me, guiding me, coaching me, and cheering me on that I can do it. I feed off of others when we’re working hard together. Whenever I want to set the weights down, I get the energy to do at least one more rep. If that was my excuse, then I figured I’d better get in a gym with some classes to help with that.
2. Schedule the a time that suits your schedule the best.
The key here is to be flexible. You can workout for 30 minutes and that could suffice. Can you go for a walk during your lunch break? What about a gym that’s near home or the office while your kids are at school? If your kids are home, can you carve out nap time AS workout time? If they refuse to nap, can you give them something fun to do for a while while you find a YouTube video to workout to? The options are endless! But whatever you do mom, see number one.
3. Cute workout clothes.
Okay girls. Call me crazy, but you know how you feel amazing when you’re rocking a cute outfit somewhere? It’s the same for working out. Working out in those old ratty t-shirts and pants with spit up on them is not going to make you feel energized or your best. You have to find a way to tell your brain it’s time to work out!
4. Apps & Fitness Gear.
On top of taking away excuses and finding a gym that has been essential to helping me meet my goals, having apps that can help keep you on track, and focused is truly key! One of my favorite fitness pieces and apps to use is the Fitbit. I love that it has so many elements than just telling you how many steps you’ve taken. You can also play music, track exercises, track your calories & calories burned, and so much more! Having this little gadget shows me everything I’ve done in a workout with the tangible data to show for the hard work.
5. Take it slow & be kind to yourself.
If you’re just getting back to it or jumpstarting this, there’s nothing worse than you being your own critic and sabotaging your journey. This is your journey to be on. Whether it takes you 4 months or 4 years, just commit to yourself to be healthy and well for yourself! I may have lost weight from my first birth, but I still have things that need to been handled! It’s okay! Our bodies are amazing and it took precious time to create life! It’s not going to be an overnight success. If you need further encouragement in this area, read my blog post here. It’ll put things in perspective for you.
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