Hiiii! How are you? I miss you all so much. We don’t have internet set up in our new apartment yet and I am going out of my mind. I have a huge dependency on internet and tv and am going through very bad withdrawal. Plus my international data usage on my iPhone is through the roof!
In other news…today marks the big 3-2. I honestly kind of forgot how old I was until I realized that I moved to Australia when I graduated college 10 years ago! Holy old. Not to mention I felt really old the other day when I saw this huge Carnival street parade of drunk people go marching by the window of the restaurant we were eating at and my only thought was how are we going to get out of here with a baby?
So, I figured a good topic for today’s post from an oldie like me is Tips for Training with a Baby! Exercise post-baby has been so much more sporadic than before baby. Even when I was pregnant, I could regularly commit to an hour workout 5-6 days a week. Now, I’m lucky to get in a workout! But since we’ve hit the three month mark, I’ve found my stride a bit. Here are my tips for not losing your workout time or your mind when you have a little one to look after!
1. Accept the things you cannot change. Let’s face it. When you have a small child to look after, workouts just aren’t going to always be your number one priority. Accepting that you have limited time and savoring the time you do have is important to making the most out of your workouts.
2. Carve out me time. Even if it is just 15 minutes during naptime, planning to take time for yourself is the first step to making your workouts happen. If you just “wing it” you’ll always find an excuse to skip workouts. Schedule in the time you want to take to devote to your workouts.
3. Find workouts that you can do with the baby. Working out with your little one kills two birds with one stone–you get a workout AND you get bonding time with the babe. Plus, they get to see how an active lifestyle is a priority to you (teachable moment). I found Babies on Board at Xtend Barre to be an awesome exercise class to do with Coops. There are also tons of mommy and me yoga and pilates classes around. Leah Stewart’s Pilates for New Mothers is a great at-home pilates option that offers a 20-minute class you can do with your baby. Stroller workouts are also a great way to get fit without a babysitter. Many are held in local parks but if you want to try one on your own, check out Carly’s Stroller Workout!
4. Build up your DVD collection. Getting to the gym may be tough when you have limited time. Grabbing a few DVDs that you like will provide an easy solution for days when you just can’t make it out of the house. Investing in some great ones will help keep you motivated. Check out a few of my favorites.
5. Get help. Don’t be shy about asking your partner, your parents or a trusted friend to help you by watching the baby so you can have some alone time. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your little one!
Readers, what are your tips for working out with a little one? Do you rely on others to help get your workout in? How do you make the most of only 15 minutes?
Marielle
February 17, 2015Awesome tips! I stalked up on some pop physique DVDs for home as I know I probably won’t be making it to my barre studio more than once a week when the babies are here! Oh and happy birthday girl!! Welcome to the 32 club….someone asked me how old I was the other day and I had to pause to think about it, yikes!
FitBritt
February 21, 2015It is definitely a lot harder making it to a studio but I love it when my husband watches the baby and lets me get out for a little while!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
February 17, 2015Love these tips!! I would go cray cray without internet access too 🙂 Happy Birthday! 32 feels good doesn’t it?!
FitBritt
February 21, 2015I know! I feel like I’m missing out on the world without an internet connection. Hopefully this week!!
Cailee Joy @ http://www.hellohealthyeating.com
February 17, 2015You look so great!! You have definitely ‘bounced back’!! Great tips!!
FitBritt
February 21, 2015Thanks Cailee Joy!
Jen@jpabstfitness
February 17, 2015I have 4 kids and the youngest is 10 months- so finding time was pretty non-existent until just recently. Currently (because she still wakes up at least 2 times during the night), after dinner, the husband is on kid duty and I get in a workout. Right now it’s DVD’s, but when it gets warmer, it will mean running.
FitBritt
February 21, 2015Getting outside to run is a great idea!
Jessica
February 18, 2015Yes to all of this. Some days my baby is perfectly happy to play by herself on her mat for 30 minutes while I exercise. Others, like yesterday, she wants to be held and me bopping around to a DVD is infuriating for her, so I must stop. My husband is great about taking her when he’s here, but his work schedule keeps him away a lot (like, I see 1-2x/week currently). So right now if I REALLY want to get a workout in, I just wake up before baby, around 4:30 am and get it done.
Holly
February 18, 2015What a beautiful picture of you — looking fit — and your cute, cute baby. I liked how you workout to DVDs and keep your baby right in the middle of it so he is a part of it all.
FitBritt
February 21, 2015Thank you!
Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy
February 18, 2015I love all of your tips and all of your pictures! I’ve definitely had a harder time sticking to workouts with a baby. I’m hoping to start running with the baby in the jogger soon!
FitBritt
February 21, 2015I am sure you’ll be able to jump back in. You are so dedicated!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
February 18, 2015Happy Birthday lady!!! I hope that you had a great day.
Ugh, I know that unhappily disconnected feeling from moving my share of times, and it’s definitely annoying to not have Internet or be settled in… At least you have your phone to rack up your data on for the time being! 😉
FitBritt
February 21, 2015Thanks Nicole!
Lisa @ Lulus Big Adventure
February 19, 2015Happy Birthday!!!! 32 is nothing, girl. 😉 Also, I totally hear you on the internet dependency. Being in a small African village with no electricity is a trial haha. We’re so spoiled!
FitBritt
February 21, 2015We definitely are!
Kim
February 19, 2015Great tips!!
Happy Birthday (I think I’m a day late now) – hope it is a super day/week!!!
I didn’t realize y’all had already moved – happened fast.
FitBritt
February 21, 2015Thanks Kim! Yeah, we started organizing well before I announced it1
Carly @ Fine Fit Day
February 20, 2015Thanks for sharing my stroller workout, my lovely!! I hope your internet gets sorted out soon so you can feel a bit more normalcy in your new life. SO exciting!
FitBritt
February 21, 2015Of course!