Advice on new mom getting back on the exercise wagon

[Anonymous]

I really really miss running but, as a new mom, I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to fit it in my schedule.

I'm back at work and so I don't want to lose any time with my son. He wakes up at 5:30 and goes to bed at 7:00 so my options for taking a jog are during my lunch break at work and after he goes to bed (I'm not willing to get up at 4:30 since I still do night feedings and am exhausted anyway). With the heat lately, my tendency is to do it as soon as he goes to bed rather than at noon, but by then I'm usually starving for dinner, as is my husband. So it's seeming like noon is the best option - but I'm not quite sure how to pull that off at work? We have a shower in the men's room on a pretty isolated floor, but it's still a bit awkward for me. But so is being back at work sweaty after a jog.

I'm doing well taking long walks with my son on the weekends when we have time, but when I get home from work, it's basically immediately time to start putting him to bed (which is a whole other sad post).

Have you sorted this out? Any advice? I was thinking maybe I could give up the running idea and try to do something with my son for 30 minutes a couple times a week that would be fun and interactive for him, but also be a workout for me. Any ideas about that?

This is super hard so any guidance is so welcome! I'm ready to remove the blob and start feeling healthier again!

[Anonymous]

Have you tried exercise DVDs? You could have a light dinner when you put your baby down and then do the video at 8:00. Doing videos three nights and week and adding cardio just twice a week (maybe the days it isn't so hot) would be a good plan. I know people like the 30 Day Shred.

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar boat. I was a fairly accomplished runner pre-baby. Now I can hardly make it out 2x / week due to my new hectic lifestyle. I keep thinking once he starts sleeping through the night I can start running in the AM. Do you have a running stroller? I run with DS on the weekends and occasionally before work.

[Anonymous]

OP here-

No running stroller yet because all the ones we looked at require him to be older before I can run with him. I figure that will be a great weekend activity, but right now, I think I could barely make it 1 mile! I'd love to get a good start before he is old enough for a jogger, but it may be that I can't!

[Anonymous]

Over the next couple of months he'll probably start to have a slightly later bedtime, giving you more flexibility. If you can't figure out how to make it work just yet, don't despair! Within 6 to 12 months you'll probably have more options for the timing.

[Anonymous]

I mostly exercise at noon from work. I clean up in the sink with towels. I keep clothes, shoes, sunblock, etc. at my desk. The exercise really helps my mood - so it's an indispensible part of the day. I also ride my bike to and from work, which is a little exercise too. On the weekends I use a jogging stroller - mostly at a nearby track to keep the bumps to a minimum.

I've found once you start a routine and keep it up for 2 weeks, it's easy to maintain.

The weekends used to be big exercise times for me. Now with 2, the weekends tend to be "rest days".

[Anonymous]

I was TOTALLY in your boat 6 months ago. I agree with a PP, bide your time until your son is old enough for the jogging stroller, then take him out (even if it's only 15 minutes at first!) after he's eaten at 530, that sounds like it will be perfect for you. I jog with my daughter, and we sing together (although I am out of breathe and amelodic when running, but she doesn't care). For what it's worth, we have a BOB and LOVE it, it is our primary stroller, it can handle Georgetown sidewalks and doubles perfectly as a jogging stroller.
Until then, sneak in little bits of calisthenics here and there to help rebuild your core. If you have an office, do 10 minutes 2x day of pushups/situps/yoga/squats, etc. If you don't, take the stairs everywhere everyday that you can (on the metro, walk up the escalator ALWAYS, etc).
Also, when you're at home playing with your son in the mornings, do yoga while he's on a mat: down dog to plank, a few push ups, and back. You can keep your eyes on him while strengthening.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks so much! This is really good to hear other moms and what you've been doing. It is kind of a big relief to think I should just wait a couple more months until we can get him in a jogging stroller. I will try to develop a calisthenics "play" routine to try 3xs a week and see if that helps me feel like I'm getting back on track. Plus, then maybe my return to running won't be so hard.

Plus, I hear you 10:10. I'm on the Hill and the sidewalks are CRAZY. You almost need a mountain bike to walk your kids around.

[Anonymous]

PP here-- Oh, you're on the Hill? PERFECT. No more elevators for you! Take the stairs everywhere, never take the subway, you'll get a lot of activity in. And build the play routine with your son and that should get you headed in the right direction!

[Anonymous]

I lost most of my baby weight with a combination of:

Gym once per week (wish I could do it more, but just doesn't happen with an infant)

Being active during my lunch hour at work. Climbing stairs, walking around the parking lot for 20 mins, yoga for 20 mins in an empty conference room, etc)

Running after my 9 month old who likes to crawl everywhere.

I have rarely exercised for more than an hour since DS was born. I'm down to 125 from 152 when I came back from the hospital! Hoping to make it back to 117, but the last few pounds seem to be harder!

The key is- whenever you do get the time to exercise, just 'kill' yourself at the workout- high intensity- don't let yourself off easy. It works!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much! This is really good to hear other moms and what you've been doing. It is kind of a big relief to think I should just wait a couple more months until we can get him in a jogging stroller. I will try to develop a calisthenics "play" routine to try 3xs a week and see if that helps me feel like I'm getting back on track. Plus, then maybe my return to running won't be so hard.

Plus, I hear you 10:10. I'm on the Hill and the sidewalks are CRAZY. You almost need a mountain bike to walk your kids around.

Depending on what jogging stroller you get, you can get an attachment for it that will allow you to put your baby in his/her carseat right into the stroller, making it doable to run much sooner. That's what I and a lot of my running mommy friends have done and it's great. It's a little more challenging, since the carseat adds additional weight to push, but it was sooooooo worth it. So I would say go that route if you're already going to get a jogger. I know the BOB Ironman has this attachment, not sure about babyjogger or others. The other thing I would recommend, which I've just started doing myself, is kettlebells. I'm not exactly postpartum (my kids are 2 and 5) but I was looking for a new weight workout since I've OD'd on the Shred, and I bit the bullet and bought the kettleworx dvds. They're not the end-all, be-all like the infomercial makes them out to be (of course ;-p) but they're short, and I really do feel them afterward. They're also very low impact, so I can do them while my kids are asleep without fear of waking them up with jumping. If you go that route, though, buy the kettlebells at a sporting goods store instead of ordering them online, because otherwise you'll pay an insane amount in shipping.

good luck!!! Getting back into a routine post-baby is really challenging, to say the least. But it feels so great when you're able to do it. And before long, your baby will be old enough to recognize when you're getting ready to go for a run, and give you a big high five and say things like "I can't wait to go running like mommy."