Oh, to be one of those women who genuinely revels in breaking a sweat at the gym! Unfortunately, I’m the type who prefers polishing off my kids’ uneaten chicken nuggets and indulging in Nutella straight from the jar. Finding the motivation to hit the gym has always been a struggle for me. However, after welcoming my little ones, this challenge has morphed into something entirely different. So, if you’re in the same boat, grappling with those lingering baby pounds (even though my kiddos are definitely not “babies” anymore), or contemplating a gym return after a lengthy break, here are 13 ways your workout routine will shift after kids:
- Pre-kids, you needed to spend ages on the treadmill to work up a sweat. Now? You’re dripping with perspiration just from the chaos of getting the kids dressed and buckled in their car seats!
- Jumping jacks used to be a fun way to get your heart racing. Now, they might just lead to an embarrassing moment or two.
- You once cherished yoga classes for their physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. Now, you relish yoga because it offers you a rare chance to lie down in peace without interruptions.
- Remember laughing at the lady who dozed off on her mat? Well, congrats—you are now that lady!
- Your gym selection was based on fancy equipment and class schedules. Nowadays, your top priority is finding the child care area with the most toys.
- While burning calories on the elliptical, you would crank up your favorite tracks. Now, you keep the volume low on your headphones, bracing for the dreaded announcement: “Mom who just started her workout in the daycare…”
- You used to know all the hottest songs to keep you moving. Now, your playlist consists of Disney tracks, and today’s motivation comes from the third round of “Let It Go.”
- The gym mirrors used to be your best friend for keeping entertained. Now, they can be quite terrifying, revealing wobbly bits that didn’t jiggle before.
- Your workout attire was once stylish and color-coordinated. Now, you feel accomplished just for remembering to wear a sports bra under an old college t-shirt.
- Before, you had an arsenal of sleek water bottles. Now, you’re carrying around a Doc McStuffins water bottle because adult-sized ones are a thing of the past.
- Your motivation to exercise came from events like your mother’s childhood friend’s son’s wedding. Now, it’s more about the realization that your backside is starting to resemble your mother’s!
- You used to skip spin class for fun outings like happy hour. Now, you’ll pass up that class for far more trivial reasons: sleep, avoiding a shower, or letting the kids rewatch Frozen for the fifth time.
- After burning off those calories, you’d reward yourself with a delicious Starbucks treat. And surprise, that hasn’t changed much—some things remain constant!
For more insights on navigating parenthood, check out our other posts, like this one on home insemination.
If you’re looking for additional resources, Make A Mom has everything you need for at-home insemination kits. Also, Johns Hopkins offers excellent information about pregnancy and fertility.
In summary, working out after kids is a whole new ball game filled with unexpected challenges and hilarious moments. From the chaos of getting ready to the new realities of workout attire and music, it’s clear that fitness takes on a different flavor once you’ve entered the parenting realm.