In the months leading up to my child’s arrival, a well-known actress shared her insights about new mothers reclaiming their fitness through exercise. She confidently proclaimed that every mother could carve out time for workouts, even with a baby in the vicinity. She recounted her own experiences of exercising with kids crawling around her, emphasizing that if fitness is important to a mother, it will naturally become important to her children too.
I stumbled upon these statements well after my own postpartum journey began, specifically around eight weeks post-c-section when my doctor cleared me for physical activity. Eager to jump back into a routine, I quickly discovered how unrealistic those sentiments were for me.
Let’s be honest: I was exhausted. The sleepless nights spent feeding an infant, coupled with the demands of full-time work and household responsibilities, left little room for fitness. My life was filled with the daily grind of commuting, daycare pickups, meal prep, and laundry. I had no time for designer dresses or glamorous outings, which, to be fair, were part of the actress’s seemingly effortless lifestyle.
Fast forward to six or seven months after my child’s birth, when I felt the nagging urge to get back into some form of exercise. I had stopped breastfeeding but continued to consume the extra calories recommended for nursing moms, leading to an unfortunate weight gain of about eight pounds. Determined to shed the extra weight and with the belief that “every mother” could manage to exercise while caring for their child, I set out to do the same.
However, my toddler had other plans. While she is constantly in motion, her enthusiasm for my workouts is nonexistent. Simple exercises like stretching or push-ups quickly turned into playful distractions, as she interpreted these positions as invitations for games. Even when I attempted to incorporate her into my routine, such as holding her during squats or balancing her during crunches, it often resulted in more frustration than fitness.
Toddler behavior can be incredibly demanding. As soon as I attempted to focus on my workout, her calls for attention became incessant. Whether she was requesting juice or announcing a “potty” situation, I often found myself interrupted. The suggestion of using engaging distractions like children’s programming eventually became our solution. While not a perfect fix, it allowed my partner and I to rotate workout sessions while keeping her entertained.
The notion that if something is significant to me, it will also hold importance for my child seems more like a future hope than a current reality. Right now, I find that my priorities—like sleeping in, enjoying a warm cup of coffee, or having uninterrupted bathroom time—are hardly recognized by my little one.
For the time being, my partner and I take turns engaging in exercise, with the help of children’s shows to buy us some time. Here’s to the day when I can almost fit into those pre-pregnancy jeans!
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Summary:
This article explores the challenges of maintaining a fitness routine as a parent, particularly through the lens of a mother’s experiences post-childbirth. It highlights the unrealistic expectations set by celebrity influencers, contrasts them with everyday realities, and discusses practical solutions for fitting exercise into a busy parental life.