Fitness Friday :: Time to Lose the Baby Weight

Fitness Friday

“I only got a few hours of sleep last night.  The laundry is piled up.  I haven’t seen my husband in days.  I should make a healthy dinner for everyone.  I can’t remember the last time I washed my hair.  The Bachelor is on tonight.”

Excuses, excuses, excuses…and all good ones {except for that last one}.

As a mom who works outside of the home full-time, my biggest excuse to not workout is that I don’t want to leave my little guy yet again to go and do something for me.  It’s that pesky mom guilt, and it gets you every time.  I know what you are going to say – incorporate your baby into your workout, then you don’t have to leave him.  While this is a great solution for some, I’m so not a runner {think Phoebe on Friends} and prefer barre method workouts.

I’m sharing a few ways with you today that I’m using to motivate my lazy butt to get my workout on and lose that baby weight!  It’s getting harder to use the excuse of “I’ve just had a baby” while looking smug and self-righteous when I’m currently planning my son’s first birthday party.  I’m no expert.  Just a girl who is dreaming about her size 6 jeans {I’m no supermodel even at my skinniest} and thinner face {my current selfies come with a double chin}.  My biggest piece of advice is to find what works for you and run with it.  Pun intended.

LosetheBabyWeight

Finding Time for Workouts

Hopefully, you are one of those self-disciplined types who can work out in your living room or on a treadmill while your baby is asleep.  I’m not.  I need a group setting to push me.  Otherwise, I will quit after 5 minutes and find something else better to do.  I thrive in classes and am currently loving barre method classes like Pure Barre and Define.  These classes are amazeballs, but also throw a scheduling wrench into the mix…who will watch the baby and when will I fit this in?

ClassTime

–  Before Work – Early morning classes seem to be the route for me…think 5:30 a.m.  My husband is still at home, so childcare isn’t an issue.  Ad my baby is still asleep {usually}, so I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.  The only sacrifice is my precious sleep.

–  Lunchtime – If you have a flexible job or a gym at your office where you can make this work, what a great option!  Many of my co-workers hit up Crossfit on their lunch break and eat at their desk afterwards.  My productive work time is already being interrupted by pumping, so I can’t make this work right now but hope to in the future.

–  After Work – HMB contributor Tiffanie has been able to get some of her workouts in after her kiddos go to bed.  My studio unfortunately doesn’t offer classes after 6:30, but for night owls like me, this time of day would be a great way to work off the stress from your day!

–  Throughout the Day – Even on the days that you can’t get to the gym, you can still make small changes in your day-to-day activities to burn those calories.  Take the stairs not the elevator, do some calf raises while standing in line, or walk faster than normal to get your heart rate up {your boss will just think you are extra enthusiastic about your meeting}.  You can also track your daily activity with a basic pedometer or something more high-tech like a FitBit.  Try to get more than 10,000 steps per day!

Dress for Success

Nothing motivates me more than a cute, new outfit to wear.  Call me vain.  I’ve been brainwashed by the Lululemon Gods, but if they haven’t found you yet, Target has some great gear right now.  {Any excuse for a trip to Target, right?}  I’ve also found that if I change into my workout gear as soon as I get home, I’m much more likely to do some exercises in front of the TV or while playing with the baby than if I had on my PJ’s, aka couch gear.  Even if you don’t have the money right now to invest in new workout wear, try reorganizing your workout drawer or purchase something small like a sparkly headband.

My wallet is in major trouble since a Lululemon is opening in Sugar Land soon!

lululemoncomingtoSugarLand

Change Your Eating Habits

This deserves an entire post on it’s own {ahem…coming next week!!}, but for now just know that you can’t only workout and expect the weight to come off.  You must look at your diet too.  I’m sorry my friends, but it’s the truth.  All of those people who say they can eat whatever they want are full of it.  Go read Tori Spelling’s latest book, and you’ll see.  I’ve tried everything from Jenny Craig to Atkins to South Beach to Paleo.  What has been my tried and true weight loss tool {read NOT diet} is Weight Watchers.  I don’t go to meetings or chant affirmations.  I just use my cell phone app and sometimes Windex what I shouldn’t eat.  {Kidding!  Or am I?}  So join me and Jessica Simpson and start counting those points!

WeightWatchers

Set Small, Attainable Goals

I’m competitive and like to feel that I’m making progress.  I can’t just say I want to lose 20 pounds and get after it for months.  I need smaller goals along the way to push me and make me feel good about my hard work and sacrifices.  For instance, my ultimate goal is 22 pounds, but the goal I’m focusing on right now is “Operation Pre-Pregnancy” which is to lose 12 pounds and get me to where I was when I got pregnant.

Treat Yo Self!

You can’t set goals and not reward yourself!  I know, I know.  The reward should be losing that weight and feeling so good and healthy.  Call me materialistic, but I like tangible rewards too.  Typically, those rewards involve cupcakes, but that would be counterintuitive so let’s think of something else.  I like Lululemon.  5 pounds = new jacket.  Hitting gym 5 times a week = new headband.  Create a system that works for you and use it.

The Buddy System

It is so much easier to stick to a workout plan, try a new gym, and eat better if you have a friend to do it with.  Mine moved to Tyler, so I’m currently taking applications for a new one!

Good luck, and check out our other Fitness Friday posts for more resources too!

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Old Navy has my favorite gear! Their running tights are the best! Honestly, when I lost all of my baby weight (and then some) I decided it would be best to try to do most of it without going to a gym, so I could be around my family as much as possible. So I did the C25K training and lots of DVDs at home. I really enjoyed that! When summer rolled around I went to the gym more.

  2. You better not be taking applications to replace me!! I will hurt anyone who tries to take my place – remember “I’m your freakin best friend!!!” Love you lots and maybe one of these days we will get to work out together again!

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