working out with a newborn

Working out is something that brings me great joy and peace in my life, it's probably all of those endorphins working their magic!  Not being able to work out can sometimes make me feel stifled, stiff, and stuck. After having Nathan I was worried that I'd feel that way knowing that I'd need to take a break.  Fortunately, I enjoyed the break that my body needed (because your body definitely needs a break after childbirth) but I was also very eager to slowly get started.  

Now please know that I'm not a doctor, and I strongly advise you to wait until you get the all clear from your doctor before getting back into the workout rhythm.   

I've learned some big and little things along the way in terms of how to workout now, and what to remember about my body when working out and I thought that I'd pass it along to you!  (Also, I didn't start running again until 8 weeks postpartum, and started light strength training at 6 weeks.)

**Listen to your body.  Even if your doctor says that you can start adding in exercise, you ultimately know what your body can and cannot handle. 

**Listen to your doctor.  Don't push yourself and think you are super woman.  Remember, you just had a baby.  And you carried that beautiful being inside of you for 40 weeks.  Your body has done a lot in the last 10 months, and even if you did workout during your pregnancy, it still isn't going to move the same way it did before.  I tried to run when my doctor told me to stick with the elliptical, and it was not a pleasant experience.  I didn't injure myself, but I did lose a ton of motivation because it felt so off and it was a big struggle the entire time.  

**Start by taking nice long walks.  This was my favorite part during the first month with Nathan.  I was so excited he liked his stroller, so the Mr. and I got into a good routine of going for long walks in the mornings.  Sometimes we'd take a basketball with us to the park and shoot hoops while Nathan slept in the stroller.  Other times, we would walk to the bank to get errands done or to Panera to grab breakfast. Having something fun to do on your walk makes it much more enjoyable.  Plus, you have great company with you as well! 

**Exercise with your baby!  Once I got the clear to run and felt comfortable doing it, I started taking Nathan on jogs with me.  He either falls asleep or just stares up at me as I smile bigger than ever at him.  (Cars that drive by must think I'm a bit loopy.)  

**Get in some HIIT while they nap.  High Intensity Interval Training is every mother's dream for working out because they are short yet super effective.  They leave you breathless at the end if you stick with the workout, and give your muscles that jolt they needed.  My favorite place to find a good quick workout is over at the Blonde Ponytail, she's a new mom herself and has great exercises!  Nathan is a cat napper and it never fails that even if I do a 15 minute workout at home, he wakes up within the last 5 minutes.  Instead of getting frustrated, I just talk to him while I do a push up or a squat to keep him entertained. 

**Treat yourself by taking a class.  Have your husband watch your baby or utilize the daycare if your gym has one, and go take a class!  I've noticed that when Daniel watches Nathan so that I can go to our small gym in our complex I'm much more focused on my workout which helps a ton.  This week I'm taking a yoga class, and I can't tell you how excited I am!  This is not only exercise but also a form of self-care, which every new mama needs. 

**Thank your body for everything it is doing!  Sure, you can get discouraged that you're not working out as much, doing as many reps, or lifting as much weight as you did before.  Running, mentally, has been challenging for me.  But after each run, whether I had to walk or not, I have to thank my body that it got me through that workout.  Our bodies are amazing!  They created life, and they are providing for your baby if you're breastfeeding.  Give yourself grace and except this new body that you're in.  

Having a little mantra is always helpful when you have those days that you wanted to workout but you didn't or it wasn't as long as you had hoped it would be.  Mine is "I workout to be strong not skinny".  This always helps me reframe my mind, because being strong and healthy is what makes me the best mama I can be!