Even when I didn’t have a baby, I found it hard to exercise
You are not alone in finding this difficult. Approximately 50% of people who begin an exercise program stop within six months.
Although exercise has many positive effects on our mood, you may only experience these benefits after you finish exercising, or in the long term. Let’s be honest – some of us do not find the actual exercising enjoyable, so it’s hard to feel motivated. Keep reminding yourself that if you keep at it, both your body and your mind will feel better.
Ideas to set yourself up for success:
- Start with small, realistic goals.
- Try to find an exercise buddy – people are more likely to exercise when they have a friend or partner to do it with. Do you have a friend with a new baby you can meet?
- Splurge for a few hours of babysitting and go for a quiet walk.
- Look for community centre drop-in classes to get you going. Baby and me yoga or exercise classes can be quite social and a good place to meet other moms.
For ideas on setting effective goals, see Guide for Goal Setting.
Can you exercise too much?
Yes you can. Check with your health care provider before dramatically changing your exercise routine.