Mum’s Guide To Getting Back Into Fitness
If you’ve struggled to stay fit since having a child, you are far from alone. It is a situation that millions of women find themselves in. Sadly, it is a difficult cycle to break.
While it may feel like you are facing your Mt Everest right now, focusing on the right strategies will make the climb seem less daunting. And once you start, there will be no looking back. Here’s how you can succeed one step at a time in this collaborative post.
Be Prepared To Exercise Outside Of The Gym
If you enjoy the gym and find that you feel more motivated inside this space, your membership will be a valuable tool. Nevertheless, as a parent, it won’t always be possible to hit the gym. Finding ways to stay active on those days can make all the difference.
It is one of the key reasons to invest in a fitness training app and the appropriate devices like a watch. Completing home workouts or squeezing some extra steps into the day can help you stay active. Even when you’re short of time due to responsibilities. Better still, you will find that light cardio like walking will allow your muscles to repair better after a tough gym workout 24 hours earlier.
Where possible, adding a social element through group classes or team sports can work wonders too. When fitness is a hobby rather than a chore, you’ll keep it up.
Appreciate Your Child’s Influence
Your son or daughter is the inspiration for wanting to get fit once more. However, they can also pose some of the biggest obstacles. As mentioned above, fitting exercise around time with the family or completing other tasks is hard. And it doesn’t stop there.
It is virtually impossible to incentivize yourself when you are exhausted. Getting a good night’s rest is essential if you want to stay in peak physical and mental condition. Firstly, then, you must ensure that your child follows a good sleep pattern. The best toddler beds are a great investment for your child’s development. Not to mention your entire family’s sleeping routines.
A well-rested child is a happier child and a well-rested mom is a more energetic woman. You will always have tough nights, but reducing their frequency will boost your hopes of success.
Consider Mom-Only Classes
The social element of working out with other parents naturally carries a huge appeal. However, it’s not the only reason to focus on this type of exercise when starting out. Perhaps more importantly, it is a great way to remove any risk of embarrassment.
All the other moms will have the same anxieties as you regarding their bodies. Likewise, the majority will probably need to get used to exercising a body that feels a little different from what it did before motherhood. Moreover, it is likely that the timetable of these classes will align with your lifestyle and routines. Whether you stick to these classes for the long haul or just until your confidence returns is up to you.
In addition to restoring your fitness levels, it’s a great way to meet other parents. In many cases, women at these classes will form lasting friendships outside of exercise.
Invest In Healthy Nutrition
If you are aiming to lose weight, it’s likely that you will have already thought heavily about your diet. In reality, the role of nutrition isn’t limited to weight loss. On the contrary, it can be vital for aiding your performance levels during exercise. You must fuel your workouts well.
Moreover, you will find that following a healthy nutrition plan will have a major influence on your mindset. Once you are eating the right foods you will naturally feel more inclined to complete whatever exercise you’ve planned. Meal preps are an effective solution, not least because you can’t always find the time for cooking food on the day. As kids get older, it can be a good tool for teaching them to cook.
When you fail to follow a healthy eating plan, the progress seen in your workouts will be limited. Sadly, this could quickly knock you off stride.
Reward Yourself
When setting your fitness goals as a mom, they will probably look different to what they would have in previous years. However, the objectives are still as relevant, and hitting your targets is equally impressive. Do not forget to reward yourself accordingly.
There are many ways to reward yourself for hitting a goal. Whether you wanted to get back to your old shirt size or beat your deadlift PB doesn’t matter. Suitable rewards include new outfits, a spa day, or something for the home. You may include the family in your rewards, such as days out. But you should not feel guilty about looking at treats that are solely for your benefit.
Motivational tools can give you a far better chance of staying on task. Not least because you’ll be focused on positive features rather than the related challenges.
The Final Word
Whether you were in good shape prior to having a child or not, becoming a fitter mom will serve you well. Start today, and you should begin to see noticeable benefits in just a few weeks. In fact, you’ll probably feel more confident and happier in yourself after the very first session.
The post Mum’s Guide To Getting Back Into Fitness appeared first on Jennifer Gilmour.
