These are just some things that made getting back into the gym a little easier on me. I hope you find them helpful, Happy Training!
- Plan your workouts ahead of time- Going to the gym unprepared will only waste valuable time. As a new mom, getting in and out is a must. Having workouts planned ahead of time lets you get down to business when it comes to training. Don’t just plan the exercises that you want to do that day, make sure to include how many sets and reps you want to do, maybe even plan how much rest you want to take in between too.
- Schedule training time like an important meeting- You wouldn’t miss a meeting with your boss, right? Well, if you’re serious about getting back into the gym, pencil your workout time into your daily planner. It’s like a really important meeting with yourself!
- Add supersets and circuits for a faster workout: When Nash was a newborn I only had 45 minutes to get a workout in. Before getting pregnant my workouts could last up to 2 hours, so getting it all done in 45 minutes was very different to me. That’s where supersets and circuit training came in. Super-setting or implementing circuit training lets you get your workout done faster. It’s also great because your heart rate will stay elevated which means you’ll be getting in some cardio and burning extra fat too.
- Hydrate often- if you’re a breastfeeding mama you need to make sure you’re downing water during training sessions. Water is essential even if you’re not breastfeeding, but being dehydrated will definitely mess with a mama’s milk supply. And low supply means baby will not be happy! Go out and buy a cute water bottle that holds a large amount of water. Take that into the gym with you and chug chug chug.
- Save cardio for walks with baby- I didn’t really have time to do cardio at the gym when Nash was only a month old, he needed me to be home in 45 minutes so I could feed him. Instead of getting cardio in at the gym, I would go on long walks in the morning with Nash. We would walk at a fast enough pace to work up a sweat. If walking isn’t enough you can always add in some lunges or squatting with the stroller to make things more challenging. I got my cardio in and Nash got his daily dose of vitamin D.
- Can’t make it to the gym, do home workouts with baby- you can always save your workouts for your living room and even incorporate your little one into them. Squat with your little one in your arms. Lay your baby on the floor and do push ups over him, you can even give him a kiss every time you come down!