Comments on: WFMW: I made it to the gym!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:47:58 +0000

Hi Brittani — it’s just walking at this point, but once I get to a certain speed I do intervals of walking and running. I seem to lose more weight that way!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:47:00 +0000

Hi Becca, and thanks for the helpful tips. Yes, my gym is too far to walk to, and it’s on a very busy road with scary curves — I feel barely safe in my minivan in some parts. And I’m starting up some Pilates again – a new yoga/pilates studio just opened up much closer, so I’ll get over there to take a few classes soon. I’d forgotten how crunched up you feel when you’re carrying a baby and lifting a toddler and a preschooler!

I use my Moby wrap all the time. I love it!

By: Brittani

Brittani — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:30:03 +0000

Good for you! Letting go of guilt is definitely a hard part about being a mother. I have a four year old and a four month old. There’s a perfectly good elliptical machine just inches from my bed, but guess which one I choose to spend my time on? Keep walkin’ (or running)!

By: 'Becca

'Becca — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:25:48 +0000

Congratulations on getting some exercise! You’re right, it’s important to give yourself credit for what you do instead of criticizing yourself for not doing more. Every bit counts.

I was really successful at losing baby weight, so I have a few tips to pass along:

You mentioned driving to the gym. Is it too far to walk? I know, it was raining, but walking in the rain can be invigorating (if you think of it as an adventure) and then you can warm up with herbal tea (no calories). Try to walk to anything you can. When your older kids are with you, you’re giving them some exercise and developing good habits, too.

Use a baby carrier (I loved the Maya Wrap) instead of a stroller to burn more calories and have more options about where to walk–you don’t need a wide, flat path like you do for a stroller. Get a poly-fleece suit with attached mittens and booties to keep baby warm in the winter. One of the best things for my postpartum weight loss was that my partner was driving the car to work every day, so I had to walk everywhere. On very cold days we’d take a bus to a mall, museum, or university campus and walk indoors.

Be a human rocking chair: Sit on the floor with legs folded in a pretzel shape, then lie down on your back keeping your legs at the same angle. Sit baby on your pelvis and hold his hands. Lift your shoulders and let your legs swing down a little, then rock back onto your shoulders and lift your hips–like doing mild crunches. My son LOVED this!

On warm days, take your kids to the playground and swing on a swing with baby in the carrier on your chest/lap. Great for the abs!

Click my name for details on the Seven-Minute Stretch, which doesn’t burn a whole lot of calories but helps with your flexibility, balance, and confidence because at least you did SOMETHING!