How to Fit In Exercise When You're Home With a New Baby
A new baby brings a lot of joy and changes to a household. Parents often feel like their schedule and priorities are focused only on around their child. Especially in the baby’s first year, it can feel difficult to get out of the house to run necessary errands, never mind fit in a trip to the gym. You might be able to take a Mommy & Me Exercise Class with a group in Charlottesville, but working out at home on some days may be easiest.
New parents can try to find ways to add in exercise to the time they’re already spending with your baby or toddler.
Get Rolling
Use your stroller to go for a walk or jog in your neighborhood or at a park. You and baby are sure to enjoy the fresh air while you get some exercise. This is also a great way to socialize and strengthen ties with others in your community. Say hi to other parents you see at the park and strike up a conversation if you run into each other more than once.
If you know other parents of kids who are still in strollers, invite one or two to meet you for a walk. You can grab coffee or just walk and talk. Don’t worry if you don’t good walking trails or sidewalks nearby; you can always head to a nearby high school on weekends to make use of the track.
Tummy Time
Take advantage of your baby’s tummy time to give your own tummy muscles some love. Baby is sure to enjoy having you at eye level while you stretch out on the floor and try some gentle core exercises. This is a favorite mommy & me exercise.
Lay on your back, bend your knees, and lift your feet off the floor. You can lay the baby on your shins and slowly move your knees out from your chest, then back to the starting position. Other easy exercises to do while your baby lays next to you include planks, crunches, pelvic tilts, and leg lifts.
Baby Press
Who needs the free weights when you can simply play with your baby and get the same type of workout? Lay on the floor with the baby on your chest or stomach. Lift the baby under arms into the air and move up and down. You can also try standing and lifting the baby from chest height, over your head and repeat. You’ll get your heart rate up, and your baby will be giggling in no time.
Baby Bends Mommy & Me Fitness
For this exercise, hold your little one against your chest. You can also use a wrap or baby carrier to keep the baby secure. Stand with your feet apart and squat slowly several times. To increase the difficulty level, try to move around the room doing slow walking lunges. These are challenging for you and fun for babies.
Dance It Off
Whether you have a toddler who needs to get out some wiggles before naptime, a fussy baby who needs soothing, or a bunch of kids who need to be entertaining during the evening witching hour, a dance party is sure to turn everyone’s moods around. Turn up the music and start dancing. You’ll get a cardio workout without even noticing, and kids of any age will love to join in while you turn your living room into a dance floor. This is a great mommy & me exercise whether you’re working out with a 6-month-old or a 6-year-old.
Mommy & Me Fit with Silly Stretch
Stretching is important to keep your body healthy and strong, especially after a workout. Get creative while stretching and use it as a time to interact with the baby.
Find ways to make stretching engaging for your baby. Lay the baby on the floor while you touch your toes or between your legs while you sit with your feet out wide and stretch out your arms. Play peekaboo as you do trunk twists and look over your shoulder. You can even try singing a song or reciting a nursery rhyme while you hold each position.
It can be challenging to take care of your physical health, especially after having a baby, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. By incorporating your baby into your workouts, you can spend quality time together and care for your body.
young mother does physical yoga exercises together with her baby
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