Step by Step guide to getting in shape after having a baby!

Whether you’re a first time Mom or you just had your 4th, making fitness a priority is usually the last thing on your mind.  I waited a year before I started working out after my 1st child.  It wasn’t until I saw a picture of myself from his one year old birthday party and thought, “oh shit, I need to work out”.  If you have had that “oh shit” moment, then I am here to help.  Whether it was not recognizing yourself in a picture or the fact that your toddler can out sprint you in the park, we have all been there.

Now, where do you get started?  Do you buy a gym membership and throw that kid in gym daycare or do you work out at home during nap time?  We are lucky enough to live an age where we have a lot options to make our health a priority. 

I’m going to outline a step by step guide to “working on my fitness, who’s my witness” throwback to Fergie, love her!

Step 1:  Tell your partner you are starting a new routine.

Then tell them, if you love me, you will support me every step of the way.  I’m serious, before I hired an online trainer, which at the time was something completely new to me.  I told my husband, I need to get 4 workouts in a week, so you need to help me make this a priority.  BTW, he did, because he rocks.  And as a result, he joined a CrossFit and making sure he had time to get to classes was a new priority for me.

Step 2:  Focus on small goals not a big ones.

Instead of saying I want to lose 40lbs, set small goals that will eventually lead to that big goal.  For example:

Month one:
               I will eat veggies at every meal
               I will go out for a mile walk with the baby 3 times per week
Month two:
               I will focus on getting a 100 grams of protein every day
               I will start strength training 1 day per week along with my walks
Month three:
               I will start tracking my protein, carbs, and fats and eat in a calorie deficit
               I will start strength training two days per week along with my walks

Step 3:  Give yourself a reward for hitting your small goals.

Did you hit all of your goals for week one?  If so reward yourself with a pedicure or new workout tank.  Hit all of your goals for month one, buy some new sneakers!  It’s so easy to buy the kids new cloths and forget about ourselves, give yourself a treat for a change!
 
Step 4:  Don’t label one food as good or bad.

A lot of times we feel guilty for eating things like cake or cookies and not eating “clean”.  Food is food and we shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying things that taste good to us.  Food can be about celebrations and culture, not just nourishing our bodies for optimal health.  Not eating pasta, a food your family’s culture and traditions have been based on because some celebrity fitness guru said carbs are bad and not clean is just crazy.  One person can have the ability to make you feel bad about something that is a part of your soul.  And that’s wrong.  Well, I am the person to tell you, eat the dam the pasta!

Step 5:  Find physical activities that you enjoy. 

This may take some trial and error but it’s worth it.  Don’t be a runner because you think cardio is the only way to get and stay lean, it’s not, and it’s not even as effective as other activities like strength training. 

Okay so those are my steps and remember, take it easy on yourself.  The biggest mistake people make when trying lose fat or get in shape is going too hard to fast.  You set these goals for yourself that just aren’t achievable when we’re trying to do things like, oh I don’t know, raise a human, take care of our homes, work, the list goes on.  As mothers we put way too much pressure on ourselves to do it all.  Make taking care of your body a positive thing, not a stressful thing.  Remember your body created life and that’s pretty amazing!