Finding Time to Workout as a Mom

Creative Ways to Workout with a Baby

Finding time to workout with a little one can be difficult at times, but I always feel so much better and ready for the day when I take the time for it. Don’t get me wrong, I do try and take advantage of naps and rest when I can; moms need all the energy they can get (myself included)! There are days when the walk to the mailbox and back is all I can manage. If I can get in 2-3 days a week of some physical activity, then it’s usually been a good fitness week for me.

Sometimes, I workout with my baby and other times my wonderful husband is able to watch our little guy so that I can get in a good workout. I also want my child to know the importance of being outside, being active, and having a healthy lifestyle, and I know that starts with me demonstrating that for him. Hopefully, some of these tools and resources below will help encourage you to get creative with a workout plan or to just get up and get moving when possible.

1) Walking/Running with a Jogging Stroller

During the winter months, my baby was still going through the newborn phase, and I just needed some motivation to do something! Thankfully, my loving parents bought my husband and I a jogging stroller as a shower gift. Wow! What a gift!

I definitely recommend a jogging stroller to anyone that might be outside with their little one. We have the Eddie Bauer stroller from Target, and it has been working very well now (almost a year). It has the newborn car seat that easily clicks into the stroller. We started using it a little bit during the fall, when my little guy was really little! And then I continued to take walks in the winter, yes, in the snow, on days that were relatively mild in temperature. My dog even accompanied us several occasions. It helped me to get out of the house, get some fresh air, and my dog can get a little stir-crazy, so it helped get him some exercise.

When spring hit, I did start some running, and I’ve continued to run during these warm summer months; we’ve even done a few 5ks. My baby wakes up pretty early, usually between 6-8am, so we usually have some play time together, and then we’ll go for a nice morning walk or jog. I’m so thankful for the quiet times in the morning just to pray, enjoy God’s beauty, and spend some time with my son as he takes in nature. It’s such a gift!

2) Daily Burn

If you haven’t heard of Daily Burn, I highly recommend you check them out! This was a HUGE motivation for my husband and I to workout during the winter months. Daily Burn streams workout programs through a phone, tablet, computer, or television. All packages include a daily live stream workout at 9am EST each day of the week, pre-recorded workouts based on the type of fitness level and program you’d like to follow, and then there are also add-on coaching options for an additional fee. There is such a variety to the workouts that we never got bored with them, and we found fitness instructors that pushed us and motivated us through our television; I know it sounds weird, but it worked! We are currently taking a break from Daily Burn for the summer, since we are more active outside, but we plan to continue or subscription again in the fall. Daily Burn made it extremely easy for us to put our payment option on pause until then.

3) Join a YMCA or Family Friendly Fitness Club

The YMCA is probably the most community, family, and fitness friendly place that you will find. They do an outstanding job of putting money directly into programs, back into the community, and they offer scholarships for families in need of financial assistance. There are so many activities, programs, and outreach events in the community that make it such a wonderful place. The benefit of joining a YMCA or family friendly fitness club is that most of the time they do have child watch so that parents can workout. Most of these child watch programs are free with membership or have a minimal fee, so it’s definitely worth looking into and can be beneficial for some fitness time for mom and dad.  Also, some YMCAs will have mommy and me fitness classes such as Zumba, Yoga, etc. I’ve seen these classes include babies as young as 6 months, so don’t think that just because you have a baby these aren’t for you. Do some research, and ask questions about parent-child fitness classes.

4) Working Out with a Group

Find a group! Working out in numbers can only motivate you to stay active and have the accountability you need to be consistent. For me, this is with a masters swimming program through USMS and our YMCA. I’m so grateful to have such a great group of individuals to swim with, and I’m glad that it works out well with my schedule! I currently coach for our youth swim team in the morning a couple of days a week, and when it works out, I come in an hour earlier to swim with the masters swim team before I coach.

Thankfully, my husband is willing to watch our little guy while I’m away for a few hours to swim and coach.  I can’t tell you how much I enjoy swimming with this group. Swimming has been a part of my life for 24 years (I can’t believe it’s been that long), and I’m thankful that I’m able to continue doing it into adulthood. Unfortunately, in the fall and winter my schedule doesn’t really permit me to continue doing masters swimming, but I definitely take advantage of it during the summer months.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” -3 John 1:2

How Are You Staying Active?

I’m also interested to hear what you do to stay active? Do you go to a YMCA, workout with a group, run, bike, walk, or something completely different? What keeps you active? Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to comment below.