Fitting in exercise around baby

[gigi556]

I have always been a very active person. However, I have struggled to fit in as much as I used to since moving up north last February and I now have an 11 week old baby.

When I lived in London I easily walked 5-8 miles a day plus added in running. Since moving it's a struggle to walk that much without trying. Throw in pregnancy with SPD and now a baby and I'm not sure where to start. We have little to no routine and baby is on me a lot of the time between breastfeeding and wanting cuddles.

I'd like to aim for the magical 10,000 steps as a minimum plus strength training. Would love to throw in some cardio but don't want to try too much at once.

How do you fit in exercise around taking care of your baby?

[twobambinos]

I would advise check with a physio for the spd. I had it and the GP didn't know a thing about it. The physio will also be able to check the abdominal muscles and give you target pilates moves for strengthening up after the spd.
I walked a bit to start and used the exercise bike to top it up as I walked too far my spd would flare up. A year later I ran my first 10km so there is exercise after it just take your time.

[LydiaScott]

Definitely agree with above. Check with your GP before trying anything too strenuous especially after SPD. And as baby gets older definitely use them to aid exercise. My twins love helping me to exercise, they are 5 now and love going for walks and helping mummy do sit ups and weighted squats. They often try having a go at planking next to me as well.

[UnaOfStormhold]

Best to get medical advice to make sure that anything you do promotes recovery from the SPD and that you don't have separation of the abdominal muscles. But once you have the all clear from that, there are lots of things you can do. Lots of long walks with the baby in the sling, buggy fitness classes, dancing around to music while carrying the baby. As they get older and more self supporting physical play can be a good workout for you too - a few rounds of lifting the baby for tick tock I'm a little cuckoo clock can be quite hard work as the little one gets heavy! My toddler loves sitting on my tummy while I do flutter kicks or half-bridge. Even when they're tiny you can put them on a mat next to you - obviously be careful not to fall on them but so long as you're in good control and keep interacting with them it can be fun for both of you.