How to Squeeze in Exercise After Having a Baby

How is a new mom supposed to find time to exercise? Determination is the answer! Here's how to squeeze in exercise after having a baby.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make exercise a priority. Sleep deprivation, housework and round-the-clock care for your baby are likely to leave you feeling drained and in anything but an exercise mood. If you're serious about getting back in shape, you've got to get past these hurdles. Set exercise as a priority, and you’ll find lots of opportunities to squeeze it in.

2. Exercise with your baby. Load your baby into the stroller, and take a walk around the neighborhood; sign up for a mommy and baby exercise class; or purchase a mommy and baby exercise video, and work through it in the comfort of your own living room.

3. Exercise during naptime. Pick up an exercise video, and pop it in for a quick work out while your baby snoozes.

4. Get your spouse or another family member to watch the baby, so you can head off to the gym for a workout session.

5. Find a workout buddy, and schedule a time to get together each week (or day). Knowing someone is counting on you to show up, will ensure that you follow through with your exercise plan--busy day or not.

6. Build extra steps into your daily routine. Park the car further away from buildings; take the steps instead of the elevator; walk all of the aisles of the grocery store. Every bit of extra effort counts.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a type of exercise that you enjoy, and you'll be much more likely to stick with it.
• Be sure to get your doctor's okay before starting on an exercise plan.

[bekkielynn]

on 8/6/2009 Thanks very much for this! I needed to read it!