A schedule, particularly one that involves regular exercise, may seem impossible in the weeks and months following the birth of your baby. But once your doctor gives you the OK, it's time to start working off the potato chips and ice cream that got you through the pregnancy and are now hanging around your belly, thighs and booty. A post-baby exercise routine isn't as hard as it sounds and staying fit and healthy will help you adjust better to a post-pregnancy life with a new baby.
Ease Into It
Even if you were running, swimming, walking or climbing up until the very end of your pregnancy, your body has been through a pretty tough workout from delivering that baby. Remember that you're recovering, and your body is different now. Get your doctor's approval before you start any post-pregnancy exercise routine. Start out slowly, maybe with just walking or some light yoga. As you get stronger and find that your body is ready, gradually step up your workouts to your pre-pregnancy intensity.
Set Your New Schedule
Your baby should fall into some sort of a schedule of eating and sleeping. Even when he is just a few weeks old, try tracking the times that your baby eats and sleeps. Your baby probably takes a number of naps throughout the day, and although you're certainly entitled to treat yourself to a little naptime too, use one of those daily naps for your scheduled exercise time. Make it a habit so that you know that at that time each day, you lace up your sneakers or roll out your yoga mat to work on your fitness.
Be Flexible
The minute you break a sweat, your little one may wake unexpectedly for a diaper change or something to eat. She's not trying to thwart your exercise routine, she's just a baby, whose schedule is not quite as concrete as you would like it to be. Be flexible and patient. If one naptime workout is a bust, don't give up -- just swap it for another nap later in the day. If one day you're too exhausted or the babe is just too fussy, don't worry about it. Those things are going to happen, so don't beat yourself up about it.
Find Motivation
In your pre-baby schedule, it may have seemed that you had all the time in the world to exercise. It's easy to spend your days putting your family first, but remember how important a regular exercise routine is for your health and emotional well-being. As long as your little one is cared for, think of your exercise time as "me time," where you're doing something for yourself. A healthy mother is a happier mother.
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