How to Push Through Mommy-Workout Setbacks!

A great mommy workout is walking! Every step adds up! Credit: Lagomorpha

Mommy Workouts: 3 Months Post-Baby

After my son turned 3 months old, I joined a gym with every intention of putting him in the daycare and taking some yoga and Pilates classes. Sure, it was hard to get us both fed, dressed and out the door in time for class, but I made it. I was excited to have some relaxation and fitness time. Just as I was settled into a nice downward-facing dog, the person next to me tapped me on the shoulder and pointed me to the window. Yep, one of the daycare workers was rapping away on the glass to get my attention. Wouldn’t you know he had passed the 10-minute crying limit, and I had to go take him out of daycare? After four more times of being removed from class, the embarrassment and shame became too much and I sheepishly cancelled my membership.

Mommy Workouts: 6 Months Post-Baby

And then finally! My baby turned 6 months old, and it was now safe to put him in the running stroller and hit the streets—just as I had dreamed from the moment I bought the stroller when I was pregnant! I tied my sneaks, buckled him in, put on the wrist strap and stepped out of the house with every intention of conquering this persistent baby weight with a healthy jog.

But OY VEY! My BOOBIES! The fullness of breastfeeding made them monstrous melons that ached with every step, even though I had on two sports bras and a supported tank. I tried to push through the pain, but I just couldn’t. Plus my new mommy fears had me envisioning my 6-month-old getting brain damage from the jogging jostling. And so I decided to walk. Walking was better than nothing, and we took to walking daily, sometimes more than once a day. Slowly, the weight trickled off. But I wanted faster results.