Today I’m sharing some tips to help with getting fit after kids. Being a parent is, as we all know, very challenging at times. It’s not uncommon for busy parents to put their own health and fitness on hold while they dash around after their kids. If you’re concerned that you’re losing your own fitness to the demands of parenting, don’t worry. There are plenty of realistic ways to get fit after kids without having to sacrifice too much time (or sanity!).Here are some tips to help:
Understanding The Challenges
Common barriers to postpartum fitness include fatigue, time pressures, and a general lack of personal freedom to pull on your running vest and hit the pavement. You can’t just head off to the gym or for a random midday jog when you’ve got kids at home. And the pressures of parenting may well leave you feeling too tired and stressed to do so even when you do have the time.
It’s important that you give yourself some grace and understanding around these challenges. Don’t beat yourself up because you can’t work out as much as you used to before kids. Instead, acknowledge that things are different now, and do what you can when you can rather than aiming for your full previous routine.
Plan and Prioritise Your Postpartum Fitness
Planning is vital for maintaining a manageable, realistic fitness schedule. Start by thinking about what time of day is most feasible for you to exercise. For some, it may be a quick 15-minute yoga session in the morning. For others, an evening walk or jog might be better. The key is to be realistic about the time you have available and how you can utilise it most effectively.
No Intimidating Goals
Remember that every little helps when it comes to fitness. Less intense workouts that you do consistently are often better in the long term than the occasional high intensity gym session. So, don’t intimidate yourself with lofty fitness ambitions. Instead, work with what you can. Even if you can only fit in a few quick pushups before school pickup, or incorporate a gentle family stroll into your weekend, it really is better than nothing! So, pick goals that you can realistically achieve – even if that’s as simple as ‘move more every day’.
Incorporate Children into Fitness Routine
Children don’t have to hold you back in your postpartum fitness journey. There are plenty of activities you can do with your kids that are great for your (and their!) personal fitness! Activities like dancing, cycling, or even brisk walking with a pram are all good forms of exercise that you can do with your kids.
Home Workouts and Online Fitness
YouTube and fitness apps make it a lot easier to get fit from the comfort of your own home. The right apps and fitness influencers can provide a wide range of workouts to suit varying fitness levels, situations, and timeframes. For example, you could short High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions in your garden, or follow a quick yoga session in your bedroom – no fancy gym equipment required.
Nutrition is Key When Getting Fit After Kids
Exercise is crucial for fitness, but good nutrition is also extremely important. It can be tough to eat well when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare detailed meals. However, with a little planning and preparation, you really can create great, healthy meals for the whole family without needing to confine yourself to the kitchen for hours every day. Batch cooking and freezing, using a slow cooker, and incorporating more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your general diet can all make a big difference.
Ultimately, getting fit after children is all about creating a balanced, realistic, and flexible routine that meets your fitness needs without adding too much extra stress. This isn’t always easy – but don’t beat yourself up on days when your fitness goals don’t feel achievable. Do what you can, and keep your goals realistic. You’d be surprised at how far just a little effort goes!
