One way I stayed fit and healthy throughout my pregnancy and beyond was by walking. It is such a simple exercise and can get your heart rate up. Thus ensuring you maintain a good level of fitness throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
I used to run a lot and continued running until I was about 18 weeks pregnant. After that, I wasn’t comfortable running any longer and went to walking instead. I love walking anyhow so it was a very easy transition. Walking helps me to either think about the day ahead, to assess the day I’ve had or sometimes to just switch off from everything.
So how do you fit walking into your routine?
When I was pregnant, I used to park a little bit further from work and walk in most days. This meant I did a 30min walk in the morning and at the end of the day. It was really great for ensuring I was staying active.
If this is something that is not for you then I recommend finding some routes that you like. Maybe go before you start work or take a walk at lunch. Just try to find an easy way to incorporate it in to your day. That way it will become second nature and you won’t even have to think about it. And walking really is great for your mood and stress levels along with a whole host of other benefits.
After birth, because I had developed such a routine of walking, I wanted nothing more than to get out and go for a walk fairly soon after giving birth. I took it very slowly and built up to longer walks but it really does help your recovery. For me, my little one decided she didn’t want to nap in her next-to-me crib or moses basket and wanted to sleep on dad or me. So I just used it as a way to get out walking. Find a way to incorporate it in to your day. Take the little one out for a walk in the pram, they will love it. Also I found that it helped my to develop a routine and my little girl thrived on a routine.
I bought a wrap (I will write another post about wraps/carriers and how great they are), and for her lunchtime nap, I would go out walking for 2 hours. I built up to this but because of all the walking I had done when I was pregnant, I built up to this very quickly!
Quite often, I would put my headphones on and listen to a podcast or some music. This was just a really great way for me to get back to fitness quickly. Also, it allowed me to connect with my little one and introduce her to all the sounds, smells and sights that are easily found outside.
Another way to incorporate walking in to your routine if you are struggling is to meet with other mums. You may do this to go for a coffee but instead of having coffee, go for a walk somewhere!
How we incorporate walking into our routine now
Now 2 years on from the birth of my little one, we go out for regular walks together. A routine of ours is to walk down to a lake near us, feed the ducks and then head to the park. This takes us about 1.5hrs and she walks it all. I believe that is because she has been so used to being out walking for most of her life so far that this has just become second nature. So if there is a good way for your little one to start out, I would say that is it!
I have wrote more information about all the benefits of walking whilst pregnant and after birth. This can be found in the Exercise section of the website so check it out! And of course you can also contact me if you have any questions.
