Being a new parent can take over your life, making it very difficult to find the time to focus on your health. Between looking after your baby, keeping on top of the housework, and trying to find time for your partner, friends and family, exercise can very often get pushed to the side. However, with the right approach, you can ensure that you stay fit and healthy, even with the pressure of being a new parent.
Getting yourself back into a regular workout routine will help improve your mood, alleviate stress and decrease anxiety, and generally put you in a consistently positive headspace that will in turn be sure to assist you with the responsibilities of parenthood. Whether you choose to install state-of-the-art gym equipment in your home, join the local gym, or do bodyweight workouts at home, trying a selection of activities will help you find a way to stay in shape as a new parent.
It’s worth noting, however, that getting in shape doesn’t start with choosing a workout. It begins with your commitment to a healthier you!
Let’s take a look at some helpful tips to help you to get back on track with your fitness goals through your first year of parenthood.
Always Be Prepared
Life can be busy for new parents, and finding time to prepare healthy meals can be difficult. If you are going to put the time into working out, you need to make sure you fuel your body with plenty of nutrients, to get the best possible results from your efforts. Batch-cooking meals when you have spare time and freezing portions will help you to stay in control of your nutrition with minimal fuss. Stock the cupboards with healthy snacks that you can grab on the go and make sure that you stay hydrated throughout the day, drinking at least two litres of water.
Make Time For Your Workouts
Finding time for your workouts can be difficult for anybody. When you’re a new parent, however, it can be almost impossible. To make sure that your workouts happen, you need to make the time. Completing your workouts should be as compulsory as brushing your teeth. Make a point of getting your workout in every day, no matter what it takes to ensure you stay on track towards your fitness goals.
Set Attainable Goals
Being a new parent, your time is more limited. While you might want to run for thirty minutes a day and do a one-hour yoga class every morning, a routine so demanding just may not be feasible, and that’s okay! Set yourself a realistic workout schedule that you feel you can maintain. Staying motivated when it comes to your workout routine is all about establishing realistic, attainable short-term and long-term goals. For example, setting a goal of running a 10km race in three months is more realistic than trying to train for a marathon in the same timeframe.
Allow For Some Flexibility
Whilst striving for perfection with your workout plan is admirable, as a new parent, you need to allow for some flexibility. Your baby could get sick, your partner may need to go on a business trip, or your family might be visiting. Sometimes life gets in the way of our best-laid plans. If you miss a workout because of something unexpected, don’t be hard on yourself. Just pick up where you left off and keep going with your regular routine.
Make Sure You Stay Fit Any Healthy Through Your First Year Of Parenthood
There’s no denying that being a new parent can often feel overwhelming, but taking the time to eat well and exercise regularly can help provide you with the energy that you need to be a new parent alongside being yourself too! Taking a little time out of your day to go for a run, do some yoga or stretching, get to the gym, or just go for a brisk walk, will help to reduce stress, improve your mood, and ensure that you are the best possible parent you can be for your little bundle of joy.
