3 Steps for parents to feel better and get their fitness back after the bebe comes.
#1
I commend you for your huge undertaking in raising a child, let alone choosing to keep yourself in the best parenting shape and provide an example of a healthy adult for your youngster as they’re growing up.
Things are definitely different now. Your schedule depends on baby. Your free time (what’s that?) depends on baby. Your sleep is basically non-existent.
So how do you take care of you during all of this? It’s not the easiest thing in the world, but it’s workable. Let’s make a few simple modifications to keep the progress coming.
1. Food.
The most effective behavior that provides results, doesn’t require you make time away from baby for workouts. Choose whole food sources for your meals and drink as much water as possible. Accountability and peer pressure are big influencers during life changes. If you can get a partner on-board with this, it’s even easier to stick to.
2. Wod all Day.
When I was recovering from an illness in 2016, I couldn’t handle an hour of working out. But I COULD handle 2 minutes of working out before I had to stop and rest.
Instead of doing “Chelsea” 20 rounds of 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats…I did 2 rounds every hour throughout the day. At the end of the day, I had accumulated 20 rounds of Chelsea! *This is also much easier to do with an altered sleep schedule that most parents have when they have a newborn. *Sub burpees for pull-ups if you can’t do those.
3. Find Accountability.
You aren’t alone in this new arena. There are new parents literally everywhere who are handling the same ropes you are. There are neighborhood groups and social media groups like Pregnant and PR’ing. There are also members at your gym that have raised children while remaining active. There is a wealth of knowledge and tips available from people who have been in your shoes. Post on social asking for tips.
“Dear FB friends, What was the biggest help for you staying active when you had your children?”
And as always, talk to your coach. Seasoned professionals got that way by finding solutions for people. They’re a resource you have at your fingertips and you should definitely take advantage of that.
They will likely even help you out off the clock in exchange for some time holding the bebe.
