Blogger Grace Mongey of Faces by Grace is preparing to run a 5k race through the Phoenix Park this weekend. Mum to Sienna Harper (just seven-months-old), she makes it all look so easy.
In truth, however, Grace admits it takes willpower and a little motivation to hit the road again after baby...
"Becoming a mummy is the best thing I have ever done, but during my pregnancy, I gained a lot of weight.
Post-pregnancy I felt less confident and like all new mums, extremely tired. I was determined to get back into my pre-baby fitness routine, not only to restore my figure but because exercise has always helped me to get rid of any stress or anxiety. As a new mum, this is more important than ever. That said, getting back into activity after having a baby isn't easy and I know other new mums must feel the same.
Here are a few tips that have helped me find motivation and commit to my goals:
1. Keep your eyes on the prize:
It’s not always easy to stay motivated. There are ups, downs and a lot of cheat days. My routine has completely changed since having Sienna and I’m still getting used to it. Some mornings I’m too tired to leave the house because Sienna might have had an off night. I’ve found the best way to stay on track is to set a fitness goal so I signed up to enter the Great Ireland Run 5k. It takes place on April 9 so I have been training for the last couple of months.
5k is a manageable goal and because it’s running, you can really see your fitness progress week-on-week. I chose the Great Ireland Run because when you sign up, you get an expert training plan. This plan, which even had rest days, helped to get me started and has now brought me to this point where I’ve found my rhythm again.
2. Don’t be too hard on yourself:
Having a baby meant my body went through a lot of changes. Just because I could run for miles before Sienna, doesn’t mean I should be able to now. My advice is listen to your body and if you feel like you’re pushing yourself too hard, take things down a notch or even take a rest day.
3. Treat yourself:
I have definitely found it hard to adjust to my post-baby body. Thankfully, the gym gear selection available on the high street is really cool. I have found that wearing comfortable and stylish workout gear has helped me feel more confident when training and makes me work even harder. So my advice? Get out and treat yourself to a new gym kit - you deserve it and it will definitely be worth it in the long run.
4. Mix things up:
When exercise routines become dull and repetitive, I find an excuse to give up. To keep things interesting, I’ve been mixing up my training for the 5k run. I stick to the Great Ireland Run training plan and do a little bit of running or walking each day paired with a little bit of something else be it swimming with Sienna or yoga.
5. Grab a partner:
I sometimes workout with one of my friends or my sister, the time flies because we’re chatting away and we support each other through it. When I get home, I feel great because not only have I achieved my fitness goal for that day, I’ve also had a good natter with my bestie.
6. Incorporate the little one:
Now that the afternoons are a little brighter, I have taken to running or walking in Phoenix Park while pushing Sienna’s pram. The Great Ireland run will take place there on April 9, so it’s nice to get a sneaky practice on the course before the big day. Sienna loves the sights and sounds in the park and I love how this has given us a new way to bond. There are plenty of ways to get your baby involved in your exercise and I’m sure as Sienna gets older, I’ll be racing round after her all day, every day.
If you fancy taking part in the Great Ireland Run 5k, visit the website.
Main image: Faces By Grace
