A great way to get in shape after having a baby is to start going for walks on a regular basis. Walking is a low to medium impact aerobic exercise which helps you become more physically fit as well as lose weight from your pregnancy.
For new moms, it can be difficult to get into a walking routine for you and your baby. Those sleep deprived nights can really make it difficult to find the motivation to go out for a walk with your jogging stroller and get some exercise! This is why creating and setting up a routine is so important if you want to stick with your new goal of exercising and getting in shape.
Having a healthy active lifestyle requires that you do aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes three times a week. Many moms may choose to do more, but trying to squeeze those 30 minute sessions in just three out of seven days will take some getting used to for some.
Here’s Some Tips to Help You Stick to a Routine:
1. Schedule It: Put your exercising time on the calendar just as you would a doctor’s appointment or meeting. When you have it clearly outlined on when you will be going for your walks it is much easier to stick to it.
2. Keep it the Same Time: Going on a walk the same time every time you exercise will help you make it part of your routine and help it effortlessly blend in with your baby’s schedule of feeding and napping. For example, you may decide you will walk from 8:00-8:30 am every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday because it works well with when the baby gets up. It doesn’t matter what time it is – as long as it fits you and your baby’s needs it’s just right.
3. Bring a Friend: Not only will you both enjoy a good workout, but it can be great for new moms to have some “adult time” with a good friend. It will also give you another reason to look forward to going on walks together.
4. Keep it Interesting: After several weeks of walking you might get a little bored walking all the same places all of the time or feel like you’re not really seeing the results you would like. To keep it interesting, try going to new places for walks. You can also add variety to your workout by and make it more effective by pushing up hills, doing lunges, or using resistance bands while walking.
Developing a routine will help you get on track for exercising and make it easier to enjoy the time for you and your baby. Do you have any tips for staying m
