Easing back into fitness after baby

Michelle shares her tips on how to balance regaining your fitness with baby. 

Start slowly and be consistent: Even a quick 10-minute workout can work wonders.  The secret is to keep it consistent – aim for regular movement, even if it's just a short stroll. Feeling exhausted? A gentle walk might be just the thing to wake you up and boost your mood. 

Even if you were mega fit pre-baby, Michelle advises not going straight back into it. 

“It wouldn't be my recommendation to go straight back into your old routine,” she says.  

Join a community: Need a little extra motivation? Getting active with other new parents – whether in a class or virtually – can really help. Join a fitness community online, such as Mother Fit, or maybe even find a workout buddy at one of our coffee mornings at M&S Cafés across the UK.

Your body just did something incredible, so don't rush the recovery process. Listen to to it, take it slow and celebrate every little victory along the way. 

Michelle says: "Prioritise rest and recovery. Ensure you get adequate sleep and take breaks as needed. Your body is still healing, and rest is a crucial part of the recovery process.

"If you feel pain, discomfort, or excessive fatigue, stop and rest. It’s crucial to respect your body’s limits as it heals.” 

As you settle into your new routine, try to weave exercise into your day – especially when you're juggling work and baby. Whether it's a quick morning sweat session, a lunchtime walk or an evening stretch, finding those little pockets of time for movement can make a world of difference. 

Finding time to include fitness into your life post-baby is a struggle for all parents. Here are some additional tips that might just help you get your heart-rate up again:

• Be flexible: Babies have unpredictable schedules, so be prepared to adjust your workout plans as needed. 

• Make it fun: Find activities you enjoy so exercise feels less like a chore. That might be a dance class or doing weights at home. If you look forward to it, you’re more likely to get active. 

• Multi-task: Do squats or lunges while you're folding laundry, brushing your teeth or preparing meals. 

• Find your exercise sweet spot: You might be an early bird and prefer working out before baby wakes up. Or perhaps their nap-time is your yoga time. Once you know when you have the most energy (remember that?), you can try and schedule in a regular workout at home or the gym. 

• Tag-team time: If you have a partner, alternate who watches the baby so each of you can have dedicated workout time. 

• Don’t feel guilty: Prioritising your health isn’t selfish. It benefits both you and baby.