Welcome to the #FITMOM series on Carrots ‘N’ Cake! I wanted to share some Q&As with several of my favorite fitness bloggers, who also happen to be moms. Read on to see how they make fitness a regular part of their lives!
Jennipher Walters
Children (name, age): Gwen, 2 1/2
How long of a maternity leave did you take before you started working out again? Looking back, do you think it was too much time, not enough, or just the right amount of time?
I took two weeks pretty much totally off — then I worked as much as I could during naps while she was home with me. At four months, she started going to a daycare for 3 days of week. For me, at the time, it was just the right amount. I really missed working and having dedicated time to write and run my business. It wasn’t easy to have her away from me at first (holy hormones and pumping is kind of the worst at times), but it was good for me to do something outside of the role of being a mom.
Once you started your workout routine again, how did you workouts change? What did your new workout schedule look like?
I began with doing walks, then longer walks, then walks with some jogging, then jogging, then jogging plus some body-weight strength moves — it was really a slow progression. Eventually I went back to the gym for more intense workouts and classes but that took months to get to before it felt like my body could truly handle it. My workout schedule definitely changed. It went from whenever I wanted to work out to working out when Gwen was able to nap in the stroller or when I had a sitter or when I could have her be entertained at the gym. I also eventually ended up giving early morning workouts (at least for awhile now) because … SLEEP! But, in general, being a new mom — and adapting to being a new mom — actually made my workouts stronger because it gave my workouts a deeper purpose and connection to myself.
Now that you’re a mom, what are your top tips and tricks for sticking with your workout routine?
Make it a priority, but have some flexibility with how it happens and what it looks like. It’s definitely not a time to try to stick to a rigid routine or schedule — your needs and demands on your time and body are always changing as a mom. Every week, see where and how you can fit activity in, and then mix that around as you need to. Anything is better than nothing so don’t discount a 10-minute workout or a brisk walk around the block. It all adds up! Evolve and roll with it … and feel proud every time you work out!
What’s your #1 piece of advice/words of wisdom for new moms who want to get back into a fitness routine?
Your body just made A HUMAN. It’s amazing. Respect it and show it love by listening to it and not doing too much too soon. Also, don’t compare yourself to other new moms — we’re all a little bit different. Do what’s right for your body and your family.
