Pre-baby, I was at the gym all the time. And I could afford it! Now, no way. Can't afford it and I'm stuck! I am almost 4 weeks post op and I haven't started execising. I am stuck at 22 #s, so I know I need to get my butt movin'! I have a jogging stroller and live in the foothills, so it's great exercise, but I get tired so fast because of all the hills. It's no fun! Any suggestions? My son loves the stroller, so I have to take him no matter what...

AND, any tips on self-motivation?

Just go really slow at first, only a couple days a week, and for only 20 or so minutes at a time. It'll take a while, but you will slowly build up. And you will slowly become stronger and stronger. Trust me, you will soon come to love it and will be doing it for hours at a time every day. You just have to realize that you won't be able to do that much all at once. After a few months, you'll be jogging up those foothills!

Also, basic lunges and squats really help with power/strength for walking, running, hiking, cycling, etc...

Check your library for exercise DVD's---they likely even have the Mom & Baby or Mom & Tot ones. MY DD checks them out to decide which ones are worth her money to buy and have for her own. Kids find us doing aerobics in front of the TV hilarious, but they love to join in. Plus it gives them positive exercise attitudes. Tells them the TV is more than just a box to sit in front of!

You can use canned goods in place of hand weights---or empty laundry detergent jugs filled with Water, for curling...lots of ways to work out at home without costing a dime!!!

Put that kiddo on the floor and crawl around after him, play a game of chase with him, teach him how to jump, or somersault---just being active will up your endurance---and as you have been told, soon you will be jogging along with him in that stroller!!!

Good Luck!

Kat

Thanks a lot. As soon as I'm not sick, I'm getting on the road with the jogging stroller!

Also if you have cable we have a really good feature called OnDemand. It's got a whole lot of free excercise videos on there.

Remember too its not whole long you go. You can break it up throughout the day..10 minutes here..15 minutes there..it all adds up. The important thing is to get your heart rate up and your metabolism going. So yeah just don't go for a walk...get really moving

I think, as with many of us, and most likely moreso with moms and NEW moms...it is hard to put yourselves first. I think it is time to balance life out and get your time in as well. I have struggled with this forever and this year...I've put myself and exercise first. I'm not terrific at it, but I just make it as much as I can. I get up early and just do it. I can't wait for someone to come with me or I have got to let some things go.

You will have a lot more energy after you start working out. Probably will take a month. I drive my DH crazy...I get up at 5:30...so I can work out. There are no conflicts with things that HAVE to get done.

You can do it!

I have a jogging stroller and live in the foothills, so it's great exercise, but I get tired so fast because of all the hills. It's no fun! Any suggestions?

DOesn't mean you have to do all the hills, right? Just do a few. Or go slower.

There are many resources out there for exericsing with children - ways to use them in your routine, so that while it's exercise for you, it's fun for them.

No idea how old your kids are, but all of these are from Google hits:

<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Turn on some music and dance together. Toddlers love dancing, especially when their parents joins in. <LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Push your kid on a swing. And, after every push complete one squat. <LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Use an infant carrier or bike trailer to enjoy a bike ride together. <LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Spend an afternoon at a park with a playground, but don’t spend the whole time relaxing on the sidelines – join in on the fun. Spend some time swinging to help workout your legs. Try making it across the monkey bars – even just once (it’s a great upper body workout and you’ll be amazed that your kid does it with such little ease). Try some pull-ups using a bar on the playset. Do some tricep dips on a nearby park bench. <LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Play catch with a ball or get a small group together for a kickball or softball game.

• Involve your kids while you strength train. Let them count your reps out loud for you and/or clock your rest time in-between sets.
  
• For pool outings, don’t just spend time soaking up the sun. Walk back and forth in shallow Water while your kids have fun splashing about.
  
• On rainy days that force you inside, walk or run up and down the stairs. You might even make it a contest to see who can finish 5 complete rounds first.
  

Pushing a child in a jogger is fantastic exercise, it really does add to the workload of walking.

Just start out with shorter distances and build up. It really is all you need to do, but you just have to bite the bullet and do it.

I dont know how to make it fun, I love running personally and enjoyed walking if I could find a few hills too.

But yeah, just do it. I find it easier to make myself do something than go out and run if I dont feel like it, it takes 40 minutes, rather than continually muster up willpower to avoid food, lol. Of the two things I have to do for my health, exercising is way easier than eating right all the time.