Tips for Getting Back into Fitness After Having a Baby

Life after having a baby is so beautifully consumed by the focus on being a good mom and caring for your family. While you ride the waves of new motherhood and move into your ‘new normal’, tending to yourself and caring for yourself as well is so crucial! Take care of your mind and body, and lean on your loved ones for support as needed (even if just means getting 20 minutes to yourself!). Many moms find that in terms of their own care, their post-baby body isn’t exactly what they had in mind, and it can be challenging to find the time, energy, and the confidence to get back into fitness.

So here are some ways you can get to back into fitness, physically and mentally.

Make sure your body is ready. Before starting with any fitness regime, it is essential you make sure your body is ready after giving birth. Your doctor must approve your moving forward with exercises and movement. Expect to walk away with some advice and/or recommended resources you can use to make sure you are moving forward with your fitness in a safe way for your unique body.

Start slow and take it easy. While we may miss our runs or workout routines, it is so important to give your body time to recuperate and spend enough time in the ‘repair’ state after giving birth. It will take time to get back into shape after carrying and delivering a little human, so start slow and take it easy! Once approved by your doctor, ease back into movement with light exercise such as walking. Most new moms stick to walking a few times a week to gain strength and re-evaluate with their doctor at the 6-week check-up.

Establish a new routine and be consistent. Establishing a new routine is helpful for you, your baby, and your family. It gives you structure and helps you keep your priorities and responsibilities in flow. To make sure that your health and fitness is a priority, consistency is key. An app is a great way to know what workouts to do and when to do them, not to mention how convenient it is. When you are ready, you can even try to follow a guided challenge like this 30-day workout challenge for example, to boost your fitness and set new goals.

Make sure you are fueling your body properly. While random cravings are a very real thing during pregnancy, now is the time to shift your focus back on food as fuel. While sleep is a health factor that you don’t exactly have much control over right now, you can control what you put into your body. This will help to improve your metabolism, reduce or eliminate cravings, and give you an energy boost.

Recuperate 100% before the next sesh. Once you start exercising again and remember how good it feels to workout, be mindful to recuperate 100% before the next sesh. Remember all that your body has been through and done, and show it some extra kindness and patience.

Do Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are a hot topic amongst new moms! Pregnancy weakens the pelvic floor muscles, and you get those muscles strong and really working again with Kegel exercises.

Taking care of yourself and prioritizing your health and fitness is essential for you and for your baby. It’s very important to listen and observe your body and if you feel something is off, always consult your doctor.

Written with M. Johnson