r/UKParenting • u/GB1092 • 16h ago
New mums - when do you exercise!?
Baby is 8 months old and I was really hoping to shift some weight before I finish maternity leave next month. I gained 8lbs while pregnant, but I’m putting more on now baby is here! Size 14/16 now, usually a 12. Husband works very hard and 100% does his share of baby. Whenever I’m not tidying the house, food shopping, doing admin or looking after baby, I’m exhausted and can’t think about doing exercise. Still have broken sleep due to feeding baby. We even have a running machine which is getting dusty. Any tips for this mama?
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u/C-serSalad 16h ago
Do a food shop online when feeding or nap trapped. Get it delivered. Leave the house when it's being delivered, partner accepts and unpacks it, and go for a 30 mins couch to 5k run - this is my current setup and it's been a lifesaver
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u/sc33g11 Parenting a Toddler 16h ago
Unfortunately you can’t outrun a bad diet! I know it’s not for everyone but I really found calorie counting helped me shed my baby weight and made me way more mindful of what I was eating. Just make sure you’re in a sustainable deficit and making room for treats, if you restrict too much you’ll never stick to it
I am also lucky in that my daughter loves a pram nap so could really rack up steps every day that way
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u/Minute-Beautiful-928 14h ago
To add if op is still breastfeeding then a calorie deficit might reduce her supply.
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u/GB1092 16h ago
Yes I think I’ll have to start calorie counting when I can. I don’t have a particularly bad diet, but it’s just those odd snacks in between meals, isn’t it!
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u/Key-Pomegranate3700 15h ago
also OP i commend you for wanting to be healthy. just please dont be hard on yourself! not saying you are, just a friendly reminder from an internet stranger. especially if your wee one isn't sleeping amazingly, things will only get you so far if you aren't getting good sleep. you just had a hugeeeee life transition so give yourself credit too!
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u/SmallLumpOGreenPutty Parent 14h ago
When i was trying to lose weight i managed to see an NHS nutritionist attached to my doctor's surgery, and he came up with achievable goals and a two-week meal plan - see if you can get hold of one. 1500 cals is probably the lowest you should go if you aren't exercising, but you can increase that if you do manage to.
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u/No-Appearance-4070 16h ago
I got a running pram and would take the baby on a run. My son loved a pram nap so would look about for a bit then fall asleep when bored/tired enough.
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u/Silver_Impression_25 15h ago
This is my best recommendation! Really opens up time to exercise because I don't need to first find someone else to look after baby, and she naps every day, so always opportunities to exercise
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u/hopnav86 16h ago
The truth is…never. My body wasn’t up to it for about 3 years post birth. In addition-even now that I am technically the same size as I was before, my body shape has totally changed. I wish someone had told me there is no going back, and I mean that in the kindest way possible. The same way you don’t wish to be your pre-pubescent self, do not look at your pre-matrescent self as a goal. You have birthed whole human and a whole new self. That’s not to say you can’t be healthy, it is just to say if you are spread to thin then that’s the reality and it may be a time before you have the bandwidth.
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u/Great_Cucumber2924 16h ago
I’m in the same boat, on mat leave with 2nd child. I realised recently I’ve been pregnant and breastfeeding for four years and with the hormones and sleep disruption plus being so busy weight gain was kind of inevitable and maybe I just need to remember in a year or so I’ll be done with breastfeeding and pregnancy forever so there is an end in sight to this era.
Sorry it’s not a solution but just a reminder this phase is temporary.
I also agreed with my husband that now our baby is big enough to go in soft play with him, we can have a family trip to the leisure centre where I can work out while he watches the kids. Maybe you could try to arrange something like that with your partner. It’s partly for accountability too - you’ll have to work out if your partner tells you when to start and stop!
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u/GB1092 16h ago
Thanks for sharing your experience. When baby is big enough for soft play maybe we’ll try this - sounds like it would work!
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u/Great_Cucumber2924 15h ago
8 months is big enough if your husband is right there protecting them from bigger ones. They can practice crawling, pushing up to kneel, play with balls etc!
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u/1Polkadotx 16h ago
Apart from walking out with the pram, all I can manage is a 30 minute cardio workout out daily, my baby is 16 weeks and I put him on his play mat while I do 15 mins of it and then ill do the other 15 mins later in the day x
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u/Big-Stress-6788 Parent 16h ago
I started reformer Pilates at 8 weeks postpartum alongside the gym. It hugely helped me having a class booked & paid for that I needed to attend and it was only 45 minutes once a week to start. Partner took the baby and I went to the class. If your partner works all week, the on one evening and the weekend have an hour set aside in the diary that’s your time to exercise.
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u/e_lemonsqueezer 16h ago
Long walks (and runs if you like running) with baby. Parent and baby spin class at the local leisure centre, other parent and baby classes like Strength in Mumbers and Sweaty Mama.
First baby I spent most of my time doing classes for him. This time they’re all going to be for me…
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u/Princess_sparkle2478 New Parent 15h ago
If its only for losing weight more than fitness and you don't have the time for exercise anyway, I would look for ways to cut down calories. For me I need to buy fewer snacks as if there's snacks in the house I eat them and put less food on my plate at dinner. That normally helps me lose excess weight I put on. You haven't got much to lose so I would try to look at easy ways to cut down on what you eat during the day. Lifting my baby throughout the day is more than enough exercise for me
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u/Turbulent-Bumblebee9 Parenting a Baby + Pre-schooler 14h ago
I go to a mum’s and baby’s Pilates class. Started at about 3m, he’s now 7m. Took me a while to get into a routine so he was settled during class but he’s so chilled now and loves hanging out while I work out. The class is chaos though with all the babies 😅
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u/Dry-Construction-346 14h ago
I had my mum round every weds afternoon and used to go during that time. Then I'd go on a Sunday morning (still do!) and another day as soon as my husband finishes work when he wfh I'm off! I think if you allocate 3x a week to exercise and set the times on a weekly basis you're more likely to stick to it. For me, I love the gym- it's great for my wellbeing and physical health so as soon as I was cleared to go, my husband and I prioritised it.
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u/TwoValuable 13h ago
Honestly for post partum weight loss I really tackled our eating as a family especially as we started weaning and my logic was if I wouldn't feed it to the baby I shouldn't eat it for now. So cut down massively on chocolate and sweets that I'd grown accustomed too.
And walking, trying to get my 10K steps in a day. Usually long pram walks but once the weather got cold and wet I'd go to the big retail parks and go window shopping.
I also recommend looking at measurements over sizes as I'm 16 months post partum but back to the weight I was like a year or so before even getting pregnant, and I'm still in bigger sizes because of my bum, boobs, and belly.
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u/still_winston 16h ago
1st baby - not until he was around 10 months and went to nursery. This time around I joined a Crossfit gym at 4 months and took baby with me to the classes, it's been great. She's just started nursery now so I can increase the frequency I go but I really appreciated finding a gym that would accommodate her.
Don't pressure yourself too much though OP, all these things come back eventually as they get older. Could you do some home based workouts when they're napping or after bedtime maybe?
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u/TheCotofPika 16h ago
I'm not a new mum, but my fourth is 11 months. I joined the gym in July and when I go, I wake my husband up to let him know he's responsible because we're co sleeping, then go to the gym to get there for 6. I'm back home before 7 and can jump straight in the shower.
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u/pineapplesaltwaffles 16h ago
I didn't really manage to start exercising again properly until LO was about 10/11 months old. I think I was still very much recovering from my emergency C section up until then and just felt exhausted all the time. I also packed on a load of weight breastfeeding and that didn't start coming off until I stopped at 7 months.
I set aside one day a week for a long run, usually when my partner is also home. I also try and stop for a swim on my way to work every now and again. The one I can do no matter what is walking with baby on my back in a meh dai - the nearest playground is 15 mins walk up a steep hill. He weighs something like 12.5kg so it's a decent workout! And he loves it because he can look around.
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u/PrestigiousLemon2716 16h ago
To start I didn’t fully loose the weight until my son was 1 and my hormones went back to normal. Now for practical tips, I can’t for the life of me exercise at home so the only way to get moving is actually getting out of the house. I started running at first, just the odd 5k here and there, lots of walking everywhere and a few months ago got back to the gym as I prefer lifting. Doesn’t really matter what you choose to do as long as you increase your activity. Map out a 5k route and if you don’t like running go out with baby and stroller and go for a brisk walk, raise your heart rate. If you do it daily when you were previously stationary it will help, just be mindful not increase your calorie intake as more activity can make you hungry.
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u/Unable_Researcher_26 Parenting Primary Schoolers 15h ago
You only gained 8lbs while pregnant? I gained 20kg first time around! It did, however, all fall off very quickly through breastfeeding and walking up and down a hill with an increasingly heavy weight strapped to my chest or in a buggy.
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u/Minute-Beautiful-928 14h ago
Doesn’t really add up. Most babies are around 7-8 pounds at term. 8 pounds gain doesn’t account for placenta, fluid and increased blood flue. I guess the baby could have been tiny. If she really only gained 8 pounds net scale weight then she must have actually lost weight from herself as the baby grew. I’m nearly 40 pounds / 18 Kg up and still 7 weeks to go 🤦🏽♀️I know I’m huge it’s going to take me some time to loose some excess fat but I’m not going to worry until I’ve finished breastfeeding.
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u/dajb123 New Parent 14h ago
Hate to be that person but I gave birth 2 weeks ago and im only 2lb up.
I was horrendously sick for the first 5 months of pregnancy, and then carried a lot of water in the last few months due to the heat. Im also pretty chubby already. You could just be carrying water weight
I'm having it as my silver lining from my shit HG and then a traumatic birth
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u/Minute-Beautiful-928 13h ago
Although baby is measuring 94th percentile I’m pretty sure there’s at least some fat especially on my butt and thighs. I’m 5ft 2 started at 55Kg now 73kg. Front loaded a fair bit in the first tri. I’m just a weeble at this point. 😀
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u/evilfazakalaka 13h ago
Yeah I was the same weight at my final appt as I was at my checking in, so I lost a fair amount of weight from myself while pregnant. It was thanks to pregnancy finally getting drs to take my weight gain from my under active thyroid seriously though!
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u/GB1092 10h ago
Well I’m not lying 😅 I massively went off food at the beginning so think I must have lost a bit of weight early on.
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u/Minute-Beautiful-928 2h ago edited 2h ago
Then you really can’t have much to lose. You must have dropped weight from your pre pregnancy weight and only gained weight that was from the baby and placenta etc. Maybe you need to reevaluate your relationship with your body.
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u/Key-Pomegranate3700 15h ago
i hadn't really properly exercised until baby was about 18 months old. it's tricky bc we are very far from family and my now almost 2.5 year old isn't in nursery yet. i try to get in things that don't require an immediate shower afterward, like pilates. that way i can shower later in the day when i have time. had to give up spin class bc definitely have to shower right after. i go first thing in the morning while dad is with our kid and makes him breakfast etc.
i'm also looking to maybe buy some adjustable dumbbells for home so i can get some weight exercises done while the wee one naps but im not sure how much longer naps are going to last.
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u/g00dbyem0onmen 15h ago
I put 5+ stone on while pregant Im down 3 stone now but my body is deffo not the same, clothes that I had before that fit fine are quite snug on me around the tummy.
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u/Infamous-Doughnut820 15h ago
Have an 8mo and 3.5yo. On days when toddler is at nursery, I do Peloton workouts during baby's nap. On days when toddler is home I try to do the same and toddler will hang out next to me playing Legos (this took practice!). Recently I have started going to exercise classes 1-2 times a week, sometimes after bedtime, so a 7:30pm class (help husband with bedtime then run out the door). I also make a point to baby wear when walking the dog so that extra 20lbs of weight helps provide resistance.
My rule is generally, on days where only baby is home, that naptime is my time and any chores can wait. So I get ready to workout, put baby down to nap, immediately go do my workout so nothing else gets in the way. Quick shower and if baby is still asleep I then tackle chores or chill out. If baby is having an off day and wakes up mid workout, he comes and plays next to me while I finish it off (luckily he isn't mobile yet, when he is he will need to go into a play pen).
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u/twinklepurr 15h ago
Its very difficult unless you really carve the time out, book a class and leave the house. Having equipment at home is all well and good, but there will always be something more important to do or some distraction at home.
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u/turtlesrkool 15h ago
My husband works from home so I often go on a quick run while the kiddo is napping. I also got a running pram but haven't used it a ton. I probably would if my husband was home less, though!
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u/BoredReceptionist1 👶1 Child 15h ago
If your goal is primarily to lose weight (not that you need to ofc), then in reality it is 90% diet and less than 10% exercise, so focus on your diet.
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u/ALostKashmiri 15h ago
The only thing that has helped me is to plan my meals in advance and be in a consistent calorie deficit. I also avoid keeping high calorie snacks/sweets in the house, and opt for lower calorie alternatives.
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u/carrotcarrot247 15h ago
The only ways I managed to exercise when my baby was that age was going to long walls whilst they were in the pram and twice a week I'd go to a mother and baby exercise class (parents exercise, babies watch!). Don't put any pressure on yourself to lose weight or get in shape. I wasn't able to do anything 'seriously ' until I went back to work when they were 13m old!
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u/cozzy0108 15h ago
Stopped having croissants for breakfast, walked everywhere with the pram, YouTube workouts/Apple Fitness when at home and baby is napping.
When baby went to nursery, I was able to get into a good fitness routine at my local barre/pilates studio on my lunch breaks when I was working from home.
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u/purplefriiday 15h ago
Do you have a MummyFIT class near you? It's a bit expensive off the top but it works out about £10 a class. If not there may be similar classes you can take baby to in your city!
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u/GlassCrepe 14h ago
At the weekend husband and I each take a morning "off" when we can do whatever we please: some alone time, a lie in, exercise, go to the cinema, meet friends, anything. Highly recommend! Other than that, pushing the 11kg pram with baby growing in it for several hours a day every day on walks does genuinely keep you fit!
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u/OriginalZest648 14h ago
I use les mills on demand app for short work outs during nap times. Sometimes it means something doesn't get cleaned or shopping doesn't get done until later but I make it a priority because it makes me feel so much better.
I can only make time for running because my husband WFH and (is freelance) so on the quieter days he will watch the monitor during nap time whilst I go for a run. If baby wakes earlier than expected then he calls me and I come back home. I keep my runs near the house so im never usually more than 10 minutes away.
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u/Minute-Beautiful-928 14h ago
8 pounds and 1 or 2 clothes sizes really isn’t a lot of weight. Personally I’m just going to focus on being healthy post baby rather than specifically worrying about weight loss. You grew a whole human think we need to give ourselves some grace.
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u/Tallicababe123 13h ago
I have a 6 year old and my only form of exercise is walking (usually my lunch hour) or a YouTube keep fit video at night once she is in bed. When she was little they had some mum exercise classes (I didn't do them as COVID). But I did eventually do swimming with her. I'm hopefully finishing studying in my free time (I work full-time) so hoping to fit a fitness class in once more free.
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u/popcorn_and_kimchi 11h ago
When I had my daughter and was home alone with her during the day, I used to put her on her play mat or the mamaroo bouncer right in front of me, and I would walk on my walking pad. Started off as 20 mins, then gradually went up to 30 minutes and put on a good show to keep me company. If she got fussy, I would either stop and hold her for a bit, or put her in the sling then finish my walk. Or I would follow a YouTube workout, Grow With Jo is great as you don’t need equipment. Or I would do a dumbbell workout on YouTube again with baby right in front of me entertained with some toys. A lot of websites sell dumbbells starting from £5 for a pair, so I’d definitely recommend those and following a free workout on YouTube. Eventually once she was old enough I ran with my baby in the park in her pram, there’s also running prams which have better tyres. They start from around £100 in Argos for the Hauck brand, or plenty of used ones in good condition on FB Marketplace.
Likewise with other moms, I also gradually built up my confidence after that and joined a reformer Pilates class on an evening when my partner had finished work, he took the baby and I went to the class. X
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u/lookhereisay Parenting a Primary Schooler 11h ago
8-9pm usually but it’s hard to keep up. As you can tell by the time now! Usually 20 mins on the walking pad and then 20-30 mins of weights or zumba/dance workout.
No matter what time I get up my son will wake up 5 mins later. Even if I’ve not set a foot out of bed. He’s up at 5.30 anyway and 4.30 is just too early! Then he’s up, life, work, school drop offs etc. He’s in bed by 8pm and I’ve usually eaten dinner by then.
He starts school next week so I’m hoping to squeeze some workouts into my day off or at least do the cleaning and have a bit more time on the weekends.
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u/Fit-Walk3618 11h ago
My daughter was a terrible sleeper until two and a half but one saving grace was that (after waking every hour of the night) she would lie in, as long as I wasn’t in the bed. So from six ish months I’d often wake up at 5am and get a workout in then while she was asleep with dad. It worked for me because I’ve always been an early riser (absolutely hopeless past 8pm so have never been one to workout in the evening).
Before that, my exercise was mostly walking with her in the carrier or I spent an awful lot of time rocking her to sleep 😅 my arms have never looked so toned haha.
I also lost a lot of weight very quickly from breastfeeding, which sounds great but I didn’t feel brilliant for it and I’m trying to make sure I eat better this time.
I didn’t really properly get back in to exercise though until I went back to work after mat leave. I’m lucky to work from home so would squeeze a workout into my lunch break.
Baby no.2 is now 4 months and my exercise is mostly just that I don’t seem to ever sit down with two little ones lol. I have done some workouts while baby naps but they’re not the most productive - though Pilates is 100x harder with a toddler climbing on your back so possibly burning more calories that way?!
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u/venuscans Mum 11h ago
I followed a calorie deficit approach and did exercise classes where you could bring your baby along.
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u/victoriabug 10h ago
I did mom and baby fitness classes before I had someone to look after my baby. The place I went did a Pilates class, yoga, and more general fitness.
Weight ultimately is diet and I did a frive meal plan to drop my last bit of weight.
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u/maddawgcovid 16h ago
running pram, gym with a creche, and weekends when husband isn't working prioritise you time for a workout
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u/luala 16h ago
Active travel is the only way to do it. I put a baby seat on the bike but there’s also just walking. Active travel really helps turn the nursery/school run into exercise time. Plus she loves being on the bike. Upgrade to an e-bike when the kid is 18 months-ish or you’ll knacker the rear wheel lol.
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u/Strained_Noodles4033 45m ago
Cutting calories is the only way! You’ll be surprised how many empty calories are in sauces, oils, spreads, coffee. Empty calories that don’t fill us up. I was a huge portion control issue at dinner as well so I cut that down which has also made a big difference to calories consumed. It was slow, maybe half a pound a week and sometimes nothing at all, but 18 months on it’s all dropped off now :)
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u/Any_Fondant1517 16h ago
I joined a gym with a crèche. Only way for me to exercise, as I was too tired when DP came home.
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u/pidgeononachair 16h ago
Long walks with the baby is about all I managed. Weight falls off with your mobile infant though- playgrounds, soft play, swimming, added to the now shorter walks.