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 By: Meriza DeGuzman
For just about all of us, achieving our best shape is something we are constantly working on. It's not easy gaining control over our bodies - and maintaining that control can be even tougher. And if you're a mom, or soon-to-be one, it can seem like mission impossible! "Where am I going to find the time to exercise?" you may ask yourself. In between the changings, the bottles, the feedings, the lack of sleep (oh yes, trust me on that one!) where does a new mom have the time or the energy to take care of herself? Nope, it's not easy, ladies, but remember this, we are female! We can do anything we set our minds to! Where there is a will, there is a way - and if that will is the will of a mother, well then, it just gets done... because it has to! Don't let anyone tell you that it's impossible to lose that "baby weight". And definitely don't let yourself use your precious little gift as an excuse to let go of your figure.
Take the time to regain control of your physique - you can do it, and you'll be glad you are making the effort. Your husband and your little one will be thankful too! Remember, it's not selfish for a mom to take care of herself. It is her responsibility to her family to care for own health. Let me share with you a little bit about what I have learned myself. I've got a beautiful 12-year old daughter, Alexis. I've been a competitive figure athlete for the past 7 years, turning pro in 2007, but I was not always in this good shape. In fact, during my pregnancy, I gained almost 45 lbs! And this is really a lot of weight for me - since my pre-pregnancy baseline was a tiny 90 lbs! Alexis and my post-baby weight gain were actually one of the major motivators to get me into the gym in the first place! It wasn't easy at first, since my usual routine at the time did not include going to the gym and I didn't know much about training at all. But I made the commitment to myself, and decided to do it.
Nobody's daily routine is filled with more responsibility than a moms. You can succeed, but you have to make your fitness goals a priority. Take the time to plan just a few sessions per week at first. Ease into your fitness program slowly but with conviction. Small successes will build momentum and soon, you will be rolling along on the path toward the best you ever!
  Click Image To Enlarge.You Have To Make Your Fitness Goals A Priority. Photo By: Dan Ray.
A good friend of ours, while getting ready for a bodybuilding contest recently, actually incorporated his and his wife's cardio time into their family time. Joe and his wife just had a little girl. Each night after work, rather than spend the 45 minutes shackled to the treadmill as part of his prep, Joe and his wife speed-walked his neighborhood for those 45 minutes, together, while pushing their new daughter in the stroller. Joe ended up doing great in his contest - and his wife also lost 23 lbs of baby-weight! (They got to spend a lot of great quality time together)
I'll be honest - it was really hard, especially in the beginning. While I was exercising, I had Alexis in the back of my mind, constantly; was she ok? What was she doing? I felt guilty because I felt that I was taking away time away from my daughter. I think that this can be one of the biggest challenges to a mom getting back into shape - allowing herself to take time away from her new child. I think that this may be one of the major reasons most moms never bounce back. But, I told myself that I needed to be healthier for both me and my daughter - I wasn't happy with a heavier version of myself, and I knew that this was not good for either of us.
Of course, always check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise or diet program - this is critical for pregnant and post-partum women. Exercise during pregnancy should focus on maintaining the health of mom, and strengthening her for ease of the delivery process, rather than specifically focused on the cosmetic benefits of exercise. It's also important to keep in mind that pregnant women and breast-feeding moms have increased calorie needs. It is in no way recommended for women in either case to utilize calorie restriction or to "diet" by cutting food intake during these critical metabolic times. Trust me, you'll need all the energy you can get just to get through!
Expectant mom's can benefit from regular exercise in the following ways:
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists believe that pregnant women can continue to benefit from regular exercise, and encourage women to stay active during healthy pregnancies, but offer several specific guidelines your doctor will be familiar with. Be sure to be evaluated carefully by your physician prior to initiating an exercise program!
Generally speaking, pregnant women should consider the following:
Having your child is an indescribable emotional experience only other moms can truly understand. After 9 intense months of focus on you and your health, with your entire body focused on nurturing and supporting this new life inside you, in a single instant there are now two of you where once there was only just you! Elation, joy, excitement, and pride - these powerful feelings soon give way to fatigue, stress, and feelings of self-loathing, or unhappy self-image, as you realize your body doesn't look like it did prior to the pregnancy. Being a mom is no easy job for sure. And it can be worse if you aren't happy with your body! But it is entirely possible to make things better! It can be very challenging to maintain or improve on your body, especially when your whole world has just turned upside-down! (Trust me, I know!) But, let me tell you this - regaining control over your body is the one thing you can do for yourself that will benefit your whole family.
When you're in control of something, when life can seem crazy everywhere else, you'll have a healthy sense of stability to lean on! And a healthy mom is the most important part of any family!
So, be selfish, make the time for YOU - it's the most important thing you can do as a mom for your husband and your new little one! Related Pregnancy Articles: About The Author:
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