New Mom - Need Advice

M

mackenziesmom

New Member
My daughter, Mackenzie, just turned three months old. Before my pregnancy I was always a gym rat, but my priorities have really changed with my new daughter. Being a mom is the greatest, but I am really struggling with getting back into shape.

I currently have the Gym Style Series and I really love them. My problem is that I can never seem to find time to work out!! Just as I get started, the baby seems to wake up or need to eat. Any advice from "experienced" moms on how to plan workouts and stick to them??? Also, what other DVDs or series would you recommend? I only need to loose about 8 pounds, but as with most new moms, hips, thighs, and tummy need A LOT of work.

Thanks for any advice! :)
 
Congrats! I now have a 1 week old and a 2.9 year old so I know it will be a challenge for me as well. With #1 I nursed and changed her then out her in her swing. I did have to stop at times to nurse or change her but always finished the workout. As she was older I put her in the pac and play as I exercised. Now, she works out with me. I always scheduled a workout time, often I was delayed but tried as hard as I could to stick to the time. In terms of recommendations, you may try some firms that are shorter in length. The turbo jams are also good motivators , help those trouble spots and are under 45 minutes. Tae bo is also great for those spots.
 
I have three kids (5, 3 and 6 months) and can seldom find a whole 'block' of time to do anything. I just start a DVD when I get the time and stop as often as needed. At the end of the day, the workout is done. For this reason, I like the IMAX's and circuit workouts that have natural breaks/transitions built in. for instance, as I recover from an Interval Blast, I re-insert a pacifier or get someone a snack. It's a choppy approach, but it's what works for me.

I also let Gus (the baby) watch Baby Mozart in the room next to me. That give me a 1/2 hour uninterupted.

Also put her in the stroller and walk or run.

Check out nursery opportunities at your gym.

good luck.
 
Hi Congrats on the new addition!

My DD is 6.5 mos now and since she was about 3 mons old we always had to have her sit in an upright position after feeding due to spit up. In the morning I get up, feed her and put her in the swing for about 30 mins and then let her play on her play mat or exersaucer (I know your little one is not old enough for that yet) while I get my workout in. I usually get about 1-1.5 hours in before she falls asleep. On days when she I knew she might not let that happen, I would pop in a circuit DVD such as HSC, bootcamp, or cardio and weights (awesome cardio workout) and get my cardio and weights in at the same time. My DD knows Cathe's voice now and some how she has just figured out when the Cathe tap is on, it's play time!

IMO if you just kind of work with your baby and figure out a schedule of feeding and napping it will come together. Good luck to you!

Jana
 
HI!!
Mackenzie is the cutest name!
Right from the start I would put Hannah in a bouncer or swing or under the canopy toy, or I'd lay her down and she'd fall asleep and nap through my workout. Of course there were times to stop and change a diaper or feed her but that doesn't take that much time away. When she started moving alot at 4 months I would just keep lots of toys around and/or put her in the exersaucer. Then as she was crawling and getting a lil older just keep lots of toys around and I had a small tv for her in the basement to watch Teletubbies or Sesame, etc. during. They learn to keep themselves busy and play. Then she started wanting to get on my step so I had an xtra step I put next to mine and when she would climb on the one I was on I'd switch to the other one, it's actually funny! Wherever there's a will there's a way. Right after I had her I did the Classics all the time on 8 inches and I got SKINNY!
Good luck and keep us posted;-)

Mommy to Hannah Lilly born 3/25/05
 
mckenziesmom-

Congratulations on your daughter!!

I know it's hard in the beginning to get back to your workouts with a new baby. I have a 9 mos. old and some days it's still hard. My suggestion is to use the timesaver premixes on your gymstyles dvd's. they are great, quick workouts. also maybe consider purchasing CTX and/or timesaver DVD both offer workouts for the week under an hr.

good luck!!:)
 
Great advice here! If you can get your baby used to sitting and playing in a safe place near you when you workout early on, then she'll be used to doing it as she gets older, like it's part of her routine.

I started off working out (around 6 weeks post-partum) in the evening so my husband could watch her. But I love working out in the morning so after a couple of weeks I put her in her bouncy seat next to my workout area just after a morning feeding and she was pretty content with that. Later, I put her in the pack-n-play and to this day - she's 21 months old - she will still sit in it and play while I exercise. She's good for about 50-60mins then she gets restless and wants out. I can get through the workouts but I'll let her out to play around my workout area while I do abs/core and/or stretch. (For some reason, whenever I do Low Max she gets restless at interval #6 but will still wait until I get through #7!).

Anyway, point is my workouts are part of her morning routine and watching her mama "SJP" and "KPC" is just part of the normal course of her day. She loves watching kickbox moves, especially ice breakers (which she started to mimic about 6 months ago) and lately, front kicks!

Also, put her in the stroller and walk walk walk! I did this as often as I could (still do), sometimes tacking on a 45-60 minute walk immediately following morning workouts during warm months or fitting it in later in the day or evening.

Good luck to you!
Diana
 
I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all of your responses and advice!! You have motivated me to start working out and doing my best to stay with it. You are all an inspiration, especially those of you who have more that one little one. I look forward to more posts.

Thanks again!!!
 
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