How I get myself to work out as a new mom
This is the first time in my life I do not have the option to go to a workout class whenever I want. That happens when you have kids. I love the season I am in with Finn, but it is hard to carve out time to work out.
However, this could partly be because I am making it harder than it needs to be :) I don’t like to workout at home, I don’t want to rush to class during the few hours Finn is at a babysitter, and I don’t want to get up at 5am to go to class.
Hi… it’s me… I’m the problem. It’s me!
I’m the problem, but I am determined to find a solution. I know how important it is to work out for overall health, for muscle production, for a mood lift and to have the strength to carry around my 27 pound baby.
Sometimes carrying Finn IS my workout, but I know that can’t be my only workout for the next 3 years.
Plus, I’m 33. That means I’m anywhere from 5-10 years before I start hitting perimenopause and menopause. That sounds scary, but all that is telling me is that I need to build muscle NOW. Muscle is crucial for that life transition, disease prevention and quality of life. You can build muscle at any time, but it gets harder and harder the older you get.
Here is my solution so my exercise rut and how I will be creating new habits to get my workout done.
1) Give up my preferences (lol). I cannot have it all. I don’t want to work out at home, but I also don’t have a ton of time to go to a studio. The studio I do like to go to is 20-minute drive. That is pretty much carving out 1 hour and 40 minutes every day to make it happen. That won’t happen. That means I must meet myself in the middle somewhere. I am going to class once a week and then I am forcing myself to do SOMETHING at home. Whether it is a few squats with Finn, a barre workout outside or walking with weights. We are just trying to get the ball rolling!
2)Keep a mood and productivity journal. I want to see the benefits on paper. I KNOW I need to work out. I know the benefits. However, I think physically writing it down and seeing it on paper can help me create the habit. I also predict that I am more productive on the days I exercise so I’d like to see if this is true.
3) Remind myself this is a season. I miss going to workout classes, but I’m not willing to put Finn in a daycare and the time he is at the babysitter needs to be spent working. Yes, I know I need to take care of myself too, but part of my role in this season is to keep the small business I have buzzing. I’ll chat more about that one day, but for now, all I’m saying is that business has to be a priority.
4) Walking is the real MVP!!! If I find myself not able to get a weight training exercise in for whatever reason, walking is still amazing. It has so many health benefits, it gets you outside and it still elevates your heartrate. Let’s make walking great again (and it doesn’t have to be a hot girl walk. It can just be a walk).
Download my free mineral guide and learn how minerals have helped me through different seasons of my life!
