How to Get Back to Your Fitness Goals After Pregnancy
Having a baby is one of the most incredible experiences in life. The physical transformations of pregnancy combined with giving birth can help you realize how truly powerful you and your body are. Superman can fly, but you can create life!
You can use this new awareness of your body’s awesome power to help you get back to your fitness goals after pregnancy. Don’t believe the hype that your body will never be the same because it’s just not true. You may be someone’s mother now, but you’re also a person with fitness goals and a determination to see them through. Here are a few suggestions to help you get back on your fitness track after baby.
Make Health a Priority
Once your doctor has given you the green light to begin exercising, go for it. But realize there’s no shortcut that will get you there faster or healthier than dedication and hard work. You need to exercise and eat right in order to reach your goals, both mentally and physically. Lalo Fuentes, who is a personal trainer in Los Angeles, says “A healthy lifestyle can begin at any time and at any level.” Remember that, and be patient as you continue to work on your fitness and health post baby.
Make Health and Wellness Decisions You Can Feel Good About
Your baby isn’t aware right now when you skip a workout or eat an entire bag of Doritos for lunch, but soon this tiny person will watch and want to mimic everything you do. So, start setting a good example early and make decisions about exercise, food, and sleep that are healthy. After all, you want to be around for a long time to watch them grow and learn – and that’s a powerful reason to start working on your fitness goals once again. Your new baby may just be the world’s greatest motivator to help you have the healthiest body of your life.
Get Your Sweat On
You may have exercised throughout your pregnancy, but not many pregnant women are doing a high-intensity, sweaty workout when they can barely lift their legs to get their pants on. If you miss those crazy intense workouts, then it’s time to get back on the workout wagon.
You won’t be able to start where you left off, and that’s ok. Just realize that now is the time to push yourself to work towards those personal fitness goals for both you and your new family. As Los Angeles personal trainer Lalo Fuentes, CSCS says, “Being fit allows you to feel good and gives you physical confidence and inner strength.” And let’s face it – you need all the inner strength you can get for those feedings in the middle of the night.
Having a new baby is challenging, and getting your fitness groove back after birth can be too. After all, your baby’s needs will come first. Just make sure you’re taking steps to ensure your fitness goals aren’t lost in the shuffle.