Exercising Post Partum: Ask for Help

My husband will be very happy with my blog this month and he deserves all the accolades I’m about to bestow.  I’m able to exercise after my second child because I have a very supportive husband.  He knows how important it is for me to exercise.  I’m sure he’d add that I’m always a little happier after a good workout so he benefits too.
 
Back when my daughter was born, she and I would go on an hour long walk together after work.  When she was 6 months old, I got a jogging stroller and we started running together.  It was great.  We had a lot of fun together.
 
In March of this year, I gave birth to a son.  My stroller walk approach was great when I had one child, but with a two year old and an infant, I’m lucky if we can make it the 200 yards to our neighborhood park.  At this stage, I have to find time away from the kids to get a good cardio workout.  I count all the lifting of them I do during the day as my strength training workout.

I tried waking up early to exercise before the kids were awake, but then my son decided to wake up early too.  I finally had to admit that I needed help.
 
I told my husband that I was getting frustrated and wanted to find a way to workout.  I didn’t have to workout every day like I used to.  I’d be content with setting a goal of working out twice a week.  He offered to help me have some time to invest in myself.

My routine is a little different than it used to be too.  I love to run outside, but there are times when I use the home gym so I can help my husband if needed.   We have an exercise area in the basement with plenty of exercise DVD’s, a treadmill and an elliptical machine.
 
Making time to exercise is a challenge when you have very young kids.  Asking for help, whether it’s a supportive spouse, extended family, or a good friend, can make all the difference.

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