Getting Fit After Having A Baby: A Moms' Guide To Working Out At Home

After having kids, your time is not quite your own anymore. The responsibilities of parenthood can include everything from making meals and helping with homework to snuggle time with your kids. Even though you probably treasure the time spent with your kids, it would be nice to carve out a little time for yourself to exercise. But is it possible with a busy schedule, kids and a home to take care of? The answer is yes, if you know how to.

Why Exercise Is Essential For Moms

Most moms put everyone else’s needs before their own. From the time they are pregnant, moms often understand the sacrifices parenting requires. While putting your kids first is great, it should not come at the expense of your health. If you are not healthy, you are unable to be the best mom you can.

Exercise provides several benefits including the following:

• Stress reduction: With all moms are responsible for, it is no wonder they feel stressed. Exercise can be a great stress fighter. When you participate in aerobic exercise, your body releases chemicals that can actually improve your mood. Plus, you may feel like you accomplished something, which also can also make you feel better.
• Helps with weight control: Pregnancy weight gain is not always easy to shed, especially with subsequent pregnancies. Getting regular exercise can help you lose weight after giving birth and also maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.
• Improves energy: Feeling fatigued and sleepy is so common among moms, they may wonder if something is wrong. It may seem like exercise would only make you more tired, but the opposite is true. Exercise can give you more energy and may also improve how well you sleep.    

The Benefits Of Exercising At Home

Although long workouts and hours spent at the gym may be a thing of the past when you have young kids, getting regular exercise does not have to be. One of the best ways to still fit exercise into your life as a busy mom is to work out at home. It can take a bit of thought and organization, but fitting fitness in at home can have several benefits.

If you do not already exercise, think about what stops you. It could be time. Moms have a lot going on. Whether you also work outside the home or are a stay a home mom, your days are filled. Finding the time to drive to a gym can be nearly impossible. Depending on where you live, there may not be any close fitness centers. Working out at home saves time by allowing you to skip the drive time to and from the gym. Plus, you never have to worry about waiting for equipment or being late for a fitness class. 

READ Postpartum Exercises: How To Get Back To Fitness After Pregnancy

Consider some of the other benefits of working out at home:

• Convenience: What can be easier than slipping on a pair of gym shoes and heading to the garage to work out? Convenience is one of the best things about working out at home.
• Money: Although you may spend a bit of money upfront to set up your home gym, it will save you a lot of cash in the long run.
• Privacy: When you work out at home, you never have to worry about the loud talker or the creepy guy next to you. But seriously, being able to work out in the privacy of your home can make exercise more enjoyable.
• You’re a good role model: Your kids will see you taking care of yourself and making exercise a priority. It teaches them the importance of fitness and commitment. What better way to set an example than to get moving?

Planning Your Home Fitness Routine

You may think exercising at home, just involves popping a DVD in and jumping around. Although that is one way to go about it, taking a little time to develop a workout plan, may increase your chances of success.

What You Need To Work Out At Home

Moms who want to work out at home have a lot of options when it comes to equipment. Consider your budget, space, goals, and interests when deciding what to buy. In addition to buying things new, you may be able to purchase some items at a thrift shop, garage sale or online.

If you are new to exercise, it is best to keep it simple. Start with a few items and add things as you determine what type of exercise you enjoy. For example, a pair of dumbbells or an exercise band are relatively inexpensive and can be used to do strength training. A jump rope, weight bench and exercise ball are also useful. Exercise DVDs may also be something to consider, especially if you enjoy group exercise classes.

If your budget allows, you may want to eventually invest in a piece of equipment, such as an exercise bike or rower. Keep in mind, though, that you can start a very successful exercise routine with very little equipment. Many exercises use your own body weight for resistance. Don’t let a limited budget prevent you from setting up a home workout routine.

Once you have the equipment you need, consider where you will work out. Depending on your home, you may be able to set aside a room, part of the garage or use outdoor space. Even if space is limited, move your coffee table out of the way and get started.

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Tips For Moms Exercising At Home

To have the results you want, you need to make the commitment to stick to an at home workout program. You may wonder if it is possible to fit fitness in with all that you have to juggle. Consider some of the suggestions below to help you stick with your exercise routine.

• Consider what you enjoy: Don’t try to force yourself to do some type of exercise you don’t like. For example, if you hate exercise DVDs, find something else that may work better for you.
• Mix it up: Doing the same thing all the time gets boring. Plus, your body will get use to the same workout, and you may not see improvements. Change things up periodically and try new exercises or use different equipment. Consider working out at a higher intensity some days or for a longer period of time. The point is to keep your body from getting too used to any one type of exercise.
• Be consistent: Although you may not work out every day, try to develop some sort of schedule. Even if you have to shorten your workouts or get creative with your time. As you become more consistent, exercise will become a habit.
• Include a workout buddy: If you have trouble getting motivated, enlist the help of a workout buddy. Invite a friend, neighbor or even your hubby to workout with you. Having someone else to exercise with may make you more accountable and help you stick to your routine.