Exercise and keeping fit are important parts of life, but sometimes, it can be easy to let our routines slip and fall into bad habits. Regular exercise keeps us healthy and can also go a long way towards improving our well-being and helping us feel better about ourselves, which is why it’s so important to maintain healthy habits.
However, as a new parent, it can understandably be difficult to focus on healthiness when you’ve got a new baby to care for! Despite that, it’s still important to take time for yourself and allow yourself the opportunity to incorporate healthiness into your lifestyle.
Here are some top tips and ways to keep fit as a new parent.
Look for Parent and Baby Groups
Parent and toddler groups are highly beneficial for a wide range of reasons. They can encourage socialisation and boost social skills from a young age while giving parents a much-needed opportunity to chat with one another and engage in valuable social interaction with other adults.
Some gyms and health centres also offer dedicated groups and exercise classes for parents and their youngsters to attend together, which can be a real lifeline for those who struggle with childcare arrangements. These groups are great for giving busy parents the opportunity to exercise, happy with the knowledge that their children are safe and sound.
Embrace the Great Outdoors
What could be healthier than going for a long walk in the countryside, breathing in all that wonderful fresh air? If you are a new parent, it can also be a great excuse to get out of the house and escape the dreaded cabin fever.
While your little one may not quite be up to walking a long distance yet, simply strap them into their pram or pushchair, pack all the supplies you need and head out to the countryside to embrace nature. If you have a dog, this is also the perfect opportunity to indulge your pooch in a long walk, too, allowing every member of the family to feel the benefits!
Try at Home Exercises
With the weather getting colder, it’s understandable that you might prefer to stay at home wrapped up in the warm. However, rather than sitting on the sofa and snacking, take advantage of your little one’s naps to engage in a few exercises from the comfort of your home.
There are plenty of at home workout guides and fitness videos out there, so if you need some inspiration, do a little research before you begin. It’s also important to choose a type of exercise that both interests you and will benefit you, whether it’s yoga or investing in a treadmill for running. Last but certainly not least, you should also consider what you want to achieve from your exercise. Are you just looking to stay healthy, or do you want to tone a particular area of your body? Targeted exercises can be highly beneficial if this is the case, so it’s definitely worth looking into.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Exercise is just one component of leading a healthy life – it’s just as important to make sure that you are eating the right foods as part of your diet. Time is tight as a new parent, which means that quick and easy microwave meals and unhealthy snacks can seem more tempting than ever. You should aim to overcome the temptations and eat healthily – contrary to popular misconception, healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming to cook! Batch cooking healthy meals in bulk can also be a brilliant way to save time, allowing busy parents to spend more time with their new arrival and less time in the kitchen.
In addition to the types of food you choose, quantity is also an important contributing factor. Where you can, try to maintain sensible portion sizes and cut down on snacking in between meals, as this can ruin all your hard work!
Above all else, exercise and healthiness should fit into your lifestyle, not detract from it. While keeping fit is important, it’s also essential to allow yourself the time to bond with your new arrival and spend plenty of time together as a family.
