So its 1 in the morning and I’m waiting for my baby to fall asleep. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he will sleep at least three hours tonight so that I can get some rest!

My beautiful new son is the reason that I’m finally writing. A year ago from today, I would have called myself a fitness junkie. I was an avid listener of MTM to keep me moving. I was in the gym at least four times a week. I was a fit and trim size 6! I felt wonderful! Ha ha, but then life threw me my precious little curve ball in the form of my son. My pregnancy was a rough one. I had to repeat “Stand up, take a step, and repeat” just to have enough strength to move through the day, let alone make it to the gym. Nevertheless, now that I’m not pregnant anymore my former muscle tone and will to excercise has gone out the window! Ok, its predominately the total lack of sleep that is effecting my will to exercise. However, the words “plumpy and frumpy” keep repeating in my head and I’m determined to get back to my healthy lifestyle.

Ok, I think the baby is asleep (fingers still crossed).

Being a new mom is definitely a challenge. I have a TOTAL new respect for my parents now. I’m definitely determined to pay more attention to mother’s and fatther’s day this year! I was just wondering if there are any other mothers out there that could help on how they keep moving with their kids? Does anyone has any inspiration to keep moving on three hours sleep, I am all ears!

Right now my fitness routine basically entails the Firm video tapes since the weather is still a bit to cold to take him out for walks during the day. The baby is now 11 lbs. so carrying him in the car seat is definitely a weight lifting exercise!

I think my little man just fell alseep on his own! I’m going to go observe rule #1 of being a new mom: Sleep when you can!

I have so felt your pain!  It is hard to think clearly about anything, let alone expending lots of energy, when you are getting so little sleep.  Be gentle to yourself and know that you are going to make it to the other side one day.  If it is cold outside, maybe you can do some mall walking.  My gym has an indoor track and I was able to walk the baby in the stroller around the track. I’ve also done DVDs “around” the baby on the floor.  Also, if you belong to a gym, there might be a child care that you could use as the baby gets older.  I have found that Saturday mornings the childcare at my gym is usually empty and the cost is much less than a babysitter. 

Hang in there!  I now have three kids and I am in the best shape of my life.

Suzanne

Hi there. I can understand at how much you want to get back in your former shape and also at how much you want to get some rest. If going to gym that offers day care is out of the question keep doing The Firm videos and maybe go to your local library and borrow some cardio DVDs to use as well when you do get a break. You didn’t mention if you have a partner or not but if you do could they care for the baby while you get some “me time?” Or maybe alternate naps with some exercise? Exercise will actually boost your energy level and help you sleep more soundly when you do have the opportunity to rest. Good luck with this and welcome to the forum!

Congratulations on the baby boy! Amazing how something that can keep you from eating, sleeping, showering, even using the bathroom can be such a source of joy.

First, I have a couple of questions, do you have family close by? If so, pack up the wee one for an afternoon and get some sleep! Or, lay the baby on your chest and lay down on the couch, or in a recliner. That’s the only way I’d get any sleep with my oldest. They sleep better and longer on you anyway, and you’ll wake up the minute they move or make a noise.

Next, as soon as it warms up you’ll need a stroller, a stroller toy that is attached, and a good place to use it. Do you have all that? Don’t skimp, this will come in handy for about 4 years.

How old is he?

I did some mall walking when it was both too cold, and too hot for my little one. Or see if you can find a cardio DVD you like, set him up in his swing, or whatever he likes to be in and go for it. You’ll find what works for you, and starting now will ensure his cooperation in your workouts in the future.

Bree

As I told my wife, I can never know your pain, but I will try to ease it a little.  Is dad able to help out?  I did what I could for my wife and although I didn’t think it was that much, she was pretty happy with it.

Cheers and welcome!

Hi again -

Thanks for the responses! To answer your questions, yes, my husband helps out where he can. He is back to work during the week so I take the night feedings during the week and he takes them during the weekend. I have a whole new excitement for the weekend. He also stays home during the days on the weekend so that I can go out. I think this weekend I’m going to try to go to the park and run. Key word...try. Walking will always work too! Ooooh, I’m behind on my podcasts. I’ll have to take them along with me! Scott used to keep me company all the time when I excercised PB ("pre-baby").

So since my last post, I’ve been able to do my Firm tapes twice. Man, do my abs hurt! I used to blow through those tapes before, but now I’m really glad the one of the girls is doing the moves for the beginners! All in due time though, I’ll be back at it soon. Today is a beautiful day in PA so baby and I were able to get out and about. I packed him up in his stroller and took a walk up a really huge hill beside our house. Its my goal not to sweat so much when I walk up that hill in the next couple of weeks!

Oh, and I’ve hidden all of the sweets in our house above the refridge. I have to get a stool to climb up to get them, so I figure if I have to go to all that trouble, eventually I won’t even bother. If I can’t work out, then I figure that I can at least watch what goes into my mouth! Ha ha, right now it is a lot of caffiene so I have to remember to keep the water flowing too.

Again, thanks for all of the responses!

- Deb

I’d live standing on the counter next to the fridge.

You are doing great! Did your son enjoy his outing with Mom?

Bree

Ha ha, he was good until he realized I forgot his binky!  I really enjoyed our walk though!  It felt wonderful to expend some energy!

Good job! My wife would have pushed a stair master against the fridge and told me that if I stepped quick enough, I would reach the candy. Gullable me would have lost 15 pounds before realizing I’d been duped

Hi, Deb!

I like your enthusiasm so far. Just realized your screen name is “Deborah” backwards.

I’m from Pennsylvania originally (grew up north of Allentown on the eastern side, but did the Penn State tour of branch campuses so I lived in Erie for a year and then State College in the middle of the rectangle), though I’ve lived in Florida for nearly as long now.

Congratulations on your new baby, and like you said, it’s a weightlifting exercise with that carseat and such, so remember to mind your back.  I’m not a parent but I’ve learned from some who are that lifting and twisting (like removing the carseat/carrier from the back seat) can be a dangerous move.

Peace and joy,

Ann

Oh no, not the binky?!? Somehow mine always managed to spit theirs across the car just as we were in a place there was no way to stop and find it. Maybe get a special binky bag for walks and velcro it to the stroller.

Enjoy the next one!

Bree

A binky bag!  That is an excellent idea!  I’ve noticed that I’ve started placing binky’s everywhere...in my purse, two in the diaper bag, one in every room in the house!  That way when one falls on the floor I have a clean one ready and waiting. 

So I went to the mall yesterday and power walked.  Oh, and Ann, you are totally right, just lifting the car seat in and out of the car, plus the stroller, plus any bags that I may have with me....it definitely qualifies as a workout.  My little man is about 12 lbs now and I can see the definition in my arms to prove it!  Plus, I’ve been driving my husbands big Chevy truck around so he could take my fuel efficient car to work.  Getting into the truck is a workout in and of itself! 

So is there a way to look at the threads that I have posted replies to?  I’ve posted a couple on different topics, but I forget what the threads were called. 

Thanks! 

OH, and I signed Ryan and I up for a Mommy and Me fitness class in our local parks and rec.  I’m so excited.  It doesn’t start until May, but the theme of it uses the stroller to do cardio and toning.  I never knew all of these things were available!

Your son is a fortunate boy indeed. He will grow up in an environment that includes exercise as part of daily life. It is no different than grooming or hygene.  Well done.

I now know what a binky is and the above comments suddenly make sense!