Sunday, August 25, 2013

5 Weeks Postpartum - Staying Motivated

It's been a month since I delivered my little guy and we are doing great!  He's already over 11 lbs and I'm back to my normal weight, just working on getting my tummy back to normal as well.  Yes, I was supposed to wait 6 weeks to start working out again but I was feeling good enough to workout and am feeling even better now so oh well, Doc!  Get over it. Here are some recent selfies:
 
 
 
Now let's talk about staying motivated.  As a new mom, I have a lot more on my plate than I used to.  Between my clients, housework, and my new little person, working out is not as easy to fit in to my schedule as it used to be.  Not only can it be hard to fit in a workout, but there's also the fatigue issue.  But I don't let these things stop me... they are just excuses.  So, here are some things that motivate me to keep working out and will help motivate you to workout as well:
 
- First, buy a couple of new workout outfits!  You will feel better working out in something cute, plus you'll feel obligated to use them (especially if they're Nike or Under Armour and you spent $100 on one outfit). 
 
- Your baby!  You need to be healthy and set a good example for your little one.  Include them in your workouts too - go for walks and jogs and have them watch you while you do exercises.  This way you're doing something with baby while also doing something (good) for yourself.
 
- Your husband!  Obviously he loves you no matter what you look like, but making your body better never hurts.  And let's be honest, having a baby can put a little stress on your relationship... working out not only helps you to look better but feel better too, so hopefully you won't feel the urge to yell at your husband because he slept so soundly through the night while you're running off an hour or two of sleep :)  Plus it will help keep your sex life alive even though you're exhausted, and hubby will be happy about that.  Happy wife may mean a happy life, but a hubby needs a chubby or he just won't care.  I just made that up - not bad, right?
 
- Energy!  Working out gives you energy... seriously.  So even though you're tired and may not feel like it, do it anyway.  You will feel much better and be able to keep up with all the things baby wants and needs from you!
 
- "I'm awesome!"  This one is my favorite.  I've been watching a lot of "How I Met Your Mother" recently on Netfilx.  I'm sure many of you know this, but if not, one of the characters, Barney, always says "I'm awesome."  So, the other day I was out for a run and felt tired and wanted to walk, but instead I told myself "I'm awesome" and just charged up that hill like it was nothing and finished my run at a great pace.  I know it sounds dumb but it works.  Trust me and just try it. 
 
- Last but not least... read my blog.  Reading about some chick who worked out her entire pregnancy and continues to workout with a newborn, plus posts pics to show that the stuff she talks about actually works, should definitely help motivate you to workout!
 
 
Staying motivated in a nutshell: Read my blog, get a new and cute outfit, tell yourself "I'm awesome" and go workout because you'll be healthy, love your baby, hubby and life more plus have the energy to keep up with it all.
 
  You're welcome :)