workin' it

i’d be lying if i said that maintaining the motivation to workout with a newborn has been easy.  honestly there are days i want credit just for putting on my workout clothes.  

before carson i’d easily workout 6-7 times a week, doing both strength training and distance running.  i always felt great but despite those feel good endorphins  and the runner’s high it’s been a struggle getting back in to a consistent routine.  some days are better than others.  since having the baby i’ve creatively found ways to squeeze in a good day’s work that leaves me motivated and feeling ‘the burn’ without all of the time away guilt.  here’s what has worked for me.  if anyone else has suggestions for how their balancing motherhood with other demands and working out i’d love to hear ‘em.

1) do what you can when you can.  forget consistency.  if the baby only sleeps for 20 minutes or you have to pump in 30 then workout until that time.  tone it up has great workouts that vary in length and are easy to fit into any time frame. 

2) expand your workout repertoire.  i used to just run.  then i used to run and strength train.  i had a very regimented schedule and stuck to it.  now i may take a class over lunch at work, distance run on the weekends, fumble through a hiit routine, squeeze in a 5k with the dog during the week and strength train to whatever videos fit into my baby’s sleep/wake schedule.  flexibility has been key.

3) see: YouTube! speaking of tone it up you can find their workout videos and several others on YouTube.  this was definitely a lifesaver over the holidays. 

 4) do more with less.  the days of long morning runs are gone.  unless it’s a weekend my runs are limited to 3 miles of interval and incline pacing.  

5) workout wear.  sometimes a new top, pants or even a good fitting pair of socks can get me motivated to hit the gym.  but unless i’ve added a swipe of mascara and rolled on the de-puffer i’ll still feel frumpy (and look like a 12 year old).  #whateverworks

6) insta-gratification.  my body has allowed me to run a marathon, birth a child, windsurf in jamaica and hike miles uphill in hawaii in 90% humidity.  it’s done incredible things and honestly i’m proud of it.  like any woman though, there are days. thanks to instagram i can post a picture on an off day and get the positive encouragement i need to keep going.

7) bikini season.  call me vain.  honestly i don’t care.  i have every intention of looking good in a swimming suit come summer. 

8) quit with the excuses.  motivation is a like a muscle.  it needs exercised to get stronger.  i could have totally played the ‘new mom’ card several times and skipped a gym sesh but i forced myself to go and EVERY TIME felt more motivated to continue.