Follow my blog with Bloglovin Getting your workout done when you have a baby

I like to workout at least five or six times a week and even if I am having a rare rest day I still like to do something like going for a walk. I go on and on in my blog posts about how amazing I think exercise is for both physical and mental health, and since I have become a stay at home mum with a young baby, getting my workout in has definitely kept me (almost) sane! It's MY time, the one and only part of the day where I focus on myself. Obviously baby Rafe still comes first and I have to wait until he is happy and settled before I exercise, and some of the times I am interupted halfway through, but my workouts are something I do for me and it feels really good to get them done. 

I mostly wait until Rafe has a nap before working out. Sometimes he also has a bit of a lie in so if I give him a feed at 6am sometimes he will go back to sleep until 8ish and so I get up early and get some exercise in. Obviously it's tempting to stay in bed and have some more sleep, but it honestly makes me feel better to have got my workout done. If Rafe is feeling like an early bird I will wait until he naps, it's always just a matter of time before he will need another little sleep during the day so I just have to wait, then get it done as soon as he nods off.

To maximise my chances of getting a workout done I tend to wear exercise clothes all the time! It's very rare you will find me in anything other that leggings, trainers and lycra! As soon as baby has settled I like to take my chance and it's so much easier if you can get going straight away rather than have to take up valuable time to get changed and get your trainers on. Plus there is so much stylish and flattering workout wear avaliable now. Gymshark and MyProtein do great leggings and sportswear and even supermarkets have ranges of activewear which are really reasonably priced. The higher waisted leggings are also great to support and smooth the post-baby tummy!

The style of workouts is also crucial. Short HIIT workouts are great! You can find them on YouTube as I have mentioned in previous posts I love FitnessBlender, Bodyfit by Amy and I also have just discovered Joe Wicks and The Bodycoach workouts, some of which can be as short at 16 minutes! I also recently purchased the Kettlercise Ignite DVD (I LOVE kettlebell workouts) and this has three 30 minute exercise routines on it which are all very intense but great. You definitely feel like you have worked your whole body after completing them, they are for a more intermediate level though and I started off with the YouTube ones, especially after just having had a baby.

If all else fails I pop him in his pram and go for a walk. Walking is great exercise and I incorporate some hills or pop some ankle weights on if I want to make it a bit tougher. The fresh air and getting out of the house is good for both of us and if Rafe is in a fussy mood then being in the pram is a sure fire way to settle him and get him to sleep.

There are also workouts on YouTube showing you how to get your baby involved in workouts. I think they possibly need to have head and neck control before trying these, but I have seen one on Bodyfit by Amy's channel and I am planning on trying them when Rafe is a bit older. 

Looking after a baby all day is hard work and sometimes you need to take some time out for yourself. Even if it's just 20 minutes that can still make all the difference and be super effective. Exercise is a great way to put you in a good mood and the health benefits plus the post baby weight loss benefits are just a bonus. 
Here's to all the fit mumma's out there getting their pre-baby bodies back! 

Jx

 

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