Fitness
How this fit mum achieved a balanced fitness routine
Mar
Being a mum is a full-time job and it can be challenging to find time for yourself, let alone trying to maintain a balanced fitness routine. However, it’s important to prioritise your health and well-being so that you can be the best mum you can be, both fit and healthy mum for your kid.
We wanted to speak to someone about how to fit in exercise as a working mum. That’s why we asked our friend Charlotte @foxyandcub to share with all of us her side of view and some tips on how to maintain your fitness routine as a busy mum. She is a personal trainer, a mum to a wild toddler and loves to workout.
It is not always easy to fit workouts into our busy schedule but I try my best as feeling healthy and exercising really boosts my mood and it is something I really enjoy!
If you are a new Mum and itching to get back into your fitness routine, I would definitely recommend waiting the recommended 6 to 12 weeks before you start and find a local physio to give you a Mummy MOT to check you are ready to start!
1. Get your steps in!
Babies and toddlers often love being outdoors and this gives you a chance to get your steps in and get some fresh air too. You can start walking as soon as you feel ready postpartum as it is a light and easy way to get exercise in.
2. Incorporate HIIT style training
HIIT stands for high intensity interval training and is great cardio; it helps promote weight loss and certainly gets you fitter. An effective HIIT workout can be done in 10 to 20 minutes and you only need a few a week!
3. Time your workouts around naps/ bedtime
I find it best to do my work out as soon as I wake up but if you do not want to be disturbed, then timing your workouts around nap time means you have a set time to fit them in every day.
4. Tell people close to you about your goals
I recommend telling your partner or family about your fitness goals so that they can support you and help give you the time you need to reach your goals.
5. Think about supersets
If you are into weight lifting and are short on time, consider adding supersets into your workouts. What does that mean? It means combining two exercises together, for example instead of doing 3 x 10 squats, then a rest and then 3x 10 lunges separately you could do 3 x 10 squats and go straight into lunges with no rest period, this will get your heart rate up and the exercises finished quicker.
6. Join a local club/ group exercise class
There are lots of group classes at local gyms ranging from zumba to pilates to spin, or even netball clubs. If you regularly attend a class at the same time each week it will soon become habit and part of your routine. Even better if you can get your friends to join you too.
7. Look for Mum and baby groups
In my area, there are Mum and Baby circuit classes where you can exercise with your baby, as well as baby yoga and baby walking groups! Not only is this a great way to keep fit and bond with your baby, but you can also meet new mum friends at the same time.
8. Meal prep and focus on nutrition
Focusing on your nutrition can make the biggest impact on your body and health; I recommend bulk cooking and meal prepping so you always have healthy food ready to eat without having to spend a long time making meals. Don’t forget to stay hydrated too.
9. Invest in home equipment
You do not need to visit a gym to see progress, purchasing some home fitness equipment means whenever you find the time you are ready to work out straight away. Exercise Bikes or Rowing Machines are great for cardio and dumbbells or kettlebells are great for resistance training and do not take up much room.
10. Take your time
Your body took 9 months to grow a baby, please don’t rush to get your body back, enjoy the process and take your time. Remember that your babies aren’t small for long, be proud of your body and enjoy your healthy lifestyle.
Remember, maintaining a fitness routine as a busy Mum is all about finding what works best for you and your family. By prioritizing your health and well-being, you’ll be able to be the best mum you can be for your little ones.
