One of the challenges I’ve faced as a new mom is trying to figure out how to make time for exercise. The first couple of months after my son was born were a blur, with severe sleep deprivation and what felt like near-constant nursing. Add in the fact that I was healing from an unplanned C-section, and working out was the furthest thing from my mind.

After our family fell into a more regular schedule, I finally started to think about getting back into pre-pregnancy shape. I had heard the well-worn mommy myth that breastfeeding burns so many calories that if you nurse your baby the weight will practically just melt off. I was nursing, and sure I had lost some weight, but it was clear that at least for me, this would not be nearly enough to get me back to my pre-pregnancy weight, let alone fitness level.  

I wasn’t just interested in losing weight and building muscle tone for vanity’s sake, but as an older mom I wanted to make sure I’d be in good cardiovascular shape to keep up with my darling boy once he became mobile. But while our schedule was more regular, it was packed, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to find time in our schedule to exercise.  

Now that I had a baby, I had to abandon some of my previous exercising habits. So here’s what I decided to do:

1. Say goodbye to the gym: When I signed up at my gym, it seemed so convenient because it is just a couple blocks from my house. But with a baby, what once was simple no longer was. It just made sense to head down to the basement and pop in an exercise DVD instead of going to the gym. Sometimes my son is still asleep when I exercise and I take the monitor downstairs with me so I can keep an eye on him. Other times, I bring him with me, which can get a little complicated, which leads me to my next point …

2. Go with the flow: I’ve learned to embrace the fact that my workout may not go as I had planned it. I often have to stop exercising for a couple minutes to tend to my son. While he usually stays in a gated area while I exercise, sometimes no matter how many books and toys are in there with him, he makes it clear that he wants out. If that’s the case, I may have him join me while I work out. Speaking of which brings me to the next thing I’ve learned …

3. Incorporate my baby:  When I can tell my son just wants to be near me, I will make him a part of my workout. Sometimes I let him crawl on me while I’m doing pushups or planks – I think of it as extra resistance. An added bonus is that as he grows, the weight of the resistance will naturally increase. I also play games like peek-a-boo with him while I exercise. Sometimes I count the repetitions of exercises out loud so he can learn his numbers. Other times, we’ll go on walks or to the playground, where I’ll use the equipment to workout.

4. Just do it! It’s not just Nike’s slogan – it’s my motto for exercising. Sometimes by the time I feed my son, change him, and get him ready for the day, I only have a few minutes before I need to shower and get ready for work. At first, I didn’t think it was worth the effort of changing into exercise clothes and starting a workout routine if I would only have a few minutes. Now I realize it’s better to get in some exercise rather than none at all. Even if I don’t have time to do a full DVD, I will at least start one or do a quick seven-minute workout. There are plenty of variations of the seven-minute workout online.

5. Sneak exercise into the day: Lastly, I try to get in some light weight training throughout the day. I may do some leg lifts or ab crunches while playing with my son on the floor, or some squats and calf raises while standing in the kitchen feeding him. I also often listen to music and dance with my baby, which is a nice way to get in some light cardio.

These are just some ideas based on what has worked for me. Of course, what works for each person will differ based on their interests, their schedule, their family and their life, but I hope some of these ideas will work for you.

-A.J. Murray , WMBL Contributor

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