Now that five weeks have passed since giving birth, I’ve started to crave a daily workout. While I am still sticking with my plan of waiting six weeks before working out, that doesn’t mean that I can’t start doing some research in advance. While my daily walks with Katie have provided me with fresh air and endorphins, I’d like to focus on regaining strength over the next few months.
One of the things you will not see on this blog is a body after baby series where I detail my weight and measurements. I’ve thought a lot about how I want to share my journey with you all and one of the most important things is that I’m a healthy role model. It takes nine months to gain the weight and therefore I fully expect and recognize that it will take at least that long to lose the weight. Moreover, I am not focused on the number on a scale. Instead, I want to focus on building strength and, eventually, my running speed and endurance. Workouts will be different this time around as I no longer have the luxury to workout as often as I’d like, nor as long as I’d like. Yesterday, while pushing our daughters in their strollers, my friend Elizabeth and I discussed workouts after baby. Since she is a month ahead of me, she has already started working out again and shared her perspective during our walk. Throughout life, our priorities change. Right now, my priority is to spend as much time with Bo and Katie as possible. His work schedule means that the precious early morning, evening and weekend hours are the only time we have as a family of three. The last thing I want to do at this point is head out of the house for a workout.
Therefore, I am currently researching two types of post-baby workout options to enjoy during the 13 weeks remaining in my maternity leave.
-
- Workouts that I can do at home while Katie is napping.
- Workouts in our neighborhood that I can do during the day with Katie.
Yesterday I asked for advice on Instastories and after receiving so many replies as well as requests to share the information with you all, I wanted to make the same request in today’s post while also sharing the feedback I’ve received thus far. Please keep in mind that these are reader recommendations. I have not tried any of these workouts yet and therefore can’t vouch for them. In addition, if you are pregnant or postpartum, please remember to check with your OB-GYN before beginning any workouts. The below are listed in no particular order and any comments or details provided are the ones that people left when they responded to my request for postpartum workout suggestions.
-
- PBFingers At Home Dumbbell Workout – Featured above
- Spotebi website – Free workouts with timers, exercise demos, etc.
- Sarahfit.com – Has lots of great information about the transition back to working out after having a baby as well as postnatal workouts.
- Barre3 Online – Inexpensive subscription and you can easily select the workout length, which areas to target, and use filters to request post-natal or pre-natal specific workouts. There is currently a free 15-day trial available on their site.
- Mamalates Online Workouts
- Fitnessista’s Post Baby Body Plan
- Sugary Six Pack Bikini Guide – All at-home workouts with minimal equipment and can easily skip the ab section or modify.
- Body Fit by Amy – She is free on YouTube and has lots of great workouts including kettle bell workouts that you can do at home.
- Momma Strong Workouts – It helped one person who commented recover after baby even with her diastasis recti. The workout plan is only $2 per month and includes lots of safe exercises and plans.
- Pop Sugar Fitness Videos – They are all 30 minutes and are great total body workouts that only require a set of hand weights and they are challenging!
- Fitnessblender Workout Videos– You can search for specific workout types and avoid HIIT, abs, jumping when you start
- Aaptiv – This has been a great way for multiple moms to get back in shape and many people said that they love the variety which includes indoor and outdoor running workouts, walking workouts, yoga, meditation and stroller workouts!
- Fit Women’s Weekly – 10 minute fast, at home workouts that are efficient and effective.
- Jessie Mundell’s Online Training – Super solid and starts slow which is helpful for post-baby workouts.
- Daily Burn’s Beautiful Belly Workout
- Birth Fit Post Natal Programming
- Nike Training Club Workouts
- Juliabfit
- Tribalancegirl on Instagram
Your turn – What are your favorite post-baby workouts?
I couldn’t wait to get back to running after having my daughter! Before birth, my doctor said as long as I had a normal delivery with no major tearing, I could start working out as soon as I felt ready as she could tell I would go crazy waiting. I did my first run exactly a month after having Emma and it was the best run! I ran a 2 mile loop with no expectations and ended up running the whole way. Couldn’t tell I had just given birth except a little pee leak in the last 1/3 mile 🙂 I had a BOB stroller and ran a few days a week with her starting at 6 weeks and it was the best!
You have to look into the Sara Haley Fourth Trimester Workouts! I did a review on my blog if you’re interested, they were so perfect- at home, quick, effective and designed for the exact phase you’re in.
You have to look into the Sara Haley Fourth Trimester Workouts! I did a review on my blog if you’re interested, they were so perfect- at home, quick, effective and designed for the exact phase you’re in.
Hey Ashley, I’m not post-partum, but I do the Kayla Itsines BBG programme at home and I love it. I know that lots of new mums use it as it takes up very little time and requires minimal equipment. Good luck!
Postpartum fitness is so humbling! You’re smart to ease back into things. If Katie’s sleep allows, it might be nice to sneak out for a 1 or 2 solo workouts a week. It is great “me time”, gives your husband time to bond with the baby and lets you feel a bit more normal.
Thanks Aly! Yes my goal is to go one time on the weekend and one early morning during the week. 🙂
If you’re looking for a local Brooklyn option, the Diapers and Dumbbells class at Cross Fit South Brooklyn (in Gowanus) is amazing! It’s a fairly low impact workout with coaches who watch your form really closely making you feel very safe. PLUS there are babysitters so you can get a great workout in without having to entertain your baby like a lot of mom and baby yoga classes. I can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks Rachel! My good friend Elizabeth, with whom I was talking about this actually has been going for the past few weeks! I can’t wait to give it a try!
I’m a fan of beachbody on demand (although not free). There’s a great variety and you can either do full programs or piecemeal it. My favorites are PIYO (especially for postpartum), Turbofire, and 21 Day Fix. Most are under 30 minutes which is the perfect amount of time so you’re not sacrificing all of nap time!
I don’t know if it exists in NY but I love Stroller Strides / Fit4Mom. Our local group meets in a park and does a Bootcamp style workout while kiddos are in strollers – has about 2 miles of running sprinkled throughout to keep the babies/tots happy. It is always a great workout … My babies always had their best naps there! Plus I met a lot of really wonderful people.
I so wish it existed in New York but it doesn’t. I am going to give Stroller Strides a try when I’m home in Savannah!
not totally related but am loving all the coffee stroller pics. you are the cutest bk mom!!
Aww thanks Nicole! 🙂 I’m so glad your training is going well and that trip to Maine looked WONDERFUL! It’s on our list as a great trip to do with her in a few years!
Beachbody!! Loved T25 after my first baby. I got great results with it. I also love the 21 day fix workouts. They’re great for toning but I think walking on the treadmill or with the stroller in addition will help. Agree with you though, the most important thing is quality time with your family!