Okay. Confession: I used to be one of those girls. You know... the super-fit gal with perfect abs and perfect legs judging those moms who were “not so fit” anymore after they had their baby.
It’s not so much that I judged how they looked. But I judged their “slacking behavior” for not getting back in shape. At least that’s what I thought.
If I only knew.
For those who know me, you know I used to be a dancer so I have always been physically active. “Once a dancer, always a dancer,” they say. But I haven’t been as active as in my dancing days.
It’s easier to judge others when you are not walking in their shoes.
Looking back now ― oh, how foolish I was.
It’s easy to pass judgment on others. I must have thought I would never ever gain weight or something. Ha. Silly. I know. But little did I know that those women, those hard working moms I used to judge, they were not slacking.
The truth is, never would I have imagined that I would ever have child bearing hips, or let alone, thighs!!! But when they came, it happened so fast that I’m still trying to figure out how it happened in the first place.
I was never curvy. I was skinny for as long as I can remember. Now that I am more curvy, I’m still learning to love and accept this new me and to love my body the way it is today. This can be very difficult sometimes, but it is something that a lot of moms are also facing. We are all envious of our pre-baby bodies.
People are so easy to say comments such as, “Time to lose that baby weight.” They have no filter. They have no idea how difficult it is for some women to lose weight. Do you think we like feeling “overweight”? Do you think we like that extra pouch?
Certainly not.
Losing weight is easier for some, harder for others. We are not all the same, so we shouldn’t compare and contrast our progress to others. What we should be doing is encouraging each other because we all need that boost. Just remember that it took you nine months to put on the weight so it may take you just as long , if not more, to lose it.
For me, it has definitely been harder after baby #2. I’m working full time, juggling motherhood, and trying to keep a home together. Now that my baby is a little bit older, I’m finally settling into a schedule and have been able to go for walks/jogging (I hate running) in the mornings. I find that time to be very relaxing. If I’m not doing it with a workout buddy, I usually listen to a 45 minute podcast .
So why is it so darn hard for women to lose that baby weight?
1. Your body is different.
After having a baby your body is simply not the same. Things that you were once able to do will now take more energy and dedication. Not everyone is like this, but many moms definitely do not “move” the same way after having a baby. So, a lot of moms end up giving up before even starting.
2. No Time
You simply do not have time, especially when the babies are still infants or when you’re dealing with more than one child. Finding the time can be difficult. Having said that, sometimes you are not able to exercise at the same time everyday.
I recommend starting out with the little time you have. A few months ago, all I could squeeze in was 15 minutes because my baby was a bit complicated. I would do a quick workout during nap time if he allowed or when hubby got home. But it was never consistent. I find that getting a workout done first thing in the morning is more effective. If you’re a working mom, perhaps an evening workout might be best!
3. Motivation
This is where a workout -buddy comes into place. Moms make the best workout partners. It’s easier to stick to your goals when someone is holding you accountable. Plus, it’s more fun.
Think about what motivates you. What is your goal? Do you want to tone up? Lose body fat? Have a flat stomach? We all have different goals.
Whatever your goals are, choose a workout that is best for you and take your time. Remember, it’s not about being skinny. It’s all about being healthy! I don’t necessarily want to go back to Skinny Debbie, but I just want to tone up and be fit again!
There are so many different ways to get in shape nowadays. The old days of going to the gym are simply old days. If you cannot get out of the house to go to the gym or go for a walk, there is YouTube for you. Zumba. Pilates. Yoga. Dance. The list goes on. Whatever it is, it’s there.
So which ever category you fall under, think of ways to overcome your obstacle. Find time. Find a buddy. Go for a walk. Go on YouTube. Find a gym. Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you stick to it.
Getting started is easy, but sticking to it is the hard part!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I am a wife, mother, believer, blogger & writer living in Arizona. Lover of coffee, books, Pilates, and all things home/decor. I love to share my thoughts, to inspire women, and to capture beautiful moments with my camera. I blog and document my days on my Lifestyle Blog: Chez Debz
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