Why I Love Working Out with Other Moms

I wrote this article for Run Stroller Run, and am republishing it with permission.

 

I can still remember how intimidating it was to walk into the gym a few months after giving birth to my daughter Emma. I was out of shape, overweight and worried about leaving my newborn with a babysitter. I desperately needed to resume my daily exercise routine but I felt so removed from the gym scene, on many levels. In a matter of months I had left my job of ten years as an attorney, moved to the suburbs, had a baby and became a stay-at-home mom. I had no friends nearby and was struggling to adjust to my exhausted post-baby body. Since those early days of motherhood, I have found that one of the best ways to adhere to an exercise routine is to work out with other moms.

No Babysitter Necessary

I absolutely love being a stay-at-home mom but require daily exercise to maintain my health and sanity. Although I am constantly chasing my active toddler around the house, the yard and the playground, that does not count as my exercise regimen.  I was lucky to find a nearby Stroller Strides class when Emma was four months old and have been attending regularly ever since.

For moms with babies and toddlers, nothing beats Stroller Strides, which is a one-hour cardio interval Mommy and Me fitness class. Babies are entertained in their strollers by moms doing squats and lunges while serenading them with classics such as “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Five Little Monkeys.” Sound like fun? It is! Mom is happy, baby is thrilled while being socialized and no babysitter is necessary. Whether it is Stroller Strides, Mommy and Me Yoga or another mommy and kids exercise group, for me nothing beats exercising in these types of classes. I obtained my certification to teach Stroller Strides this past winter, and the amazing moms who attend my classes constantly inspire me.

The social benefit of exercising with moms is great. As much as I enjoy being home discussing Elmo and poopy diapers with Emma, I have to spend part of each day talking to another adult. In addition to the socializing, I love connecting with other moms to share parenting tips. When it comes to raising children, I have found that moms have much better advice to offer than the so-called experts.

Working out with other moms is highly motivating. I am not the only one with a post-pregnancy body who pees a tiny bit during jumping jacks. Recognizing that we are all coming from a place with similar physical challenges but still pushing ourselves to exercise hard motivates us as a team. We encourage one another and take great pride in each other’s milestones and accomplishments.

Exercising with other moms makes me show up. There are many tough mornings with my daughter when I don’t know how I am going to get to my 10 am class. However, I rarely miss Stroller Strides. All moms have a hard time getting out the door with baby in tow. If my mom friends are getting to class, so can I.

Finding Mom Exercise Buddies

Virtually every new stay-at-home mom is seeking comrades and many are also looking for ways to exercise. In the event there are no organized group classes in your community, here are some ways to find other moms who are interested in fitness.

1. Find a walking partner. I met my walking partner Karen in my Stroller Strides class. Although I had an active toddler and she had a newborn at the time we met, we were both spending hours pushing our strollers around the neighborhood. We have a lot in common and decided to start walking together every week. Having the kids strapped in the stroller allows for adult conversation between us and we now have a regular walking date each week.
2. If the weather drives you inside during the winter months, get together with a couple of moms for a fitness playdate. You can do some basic exercises in place such as pushups, squats and planks, while letting your babies and toddlers play together. It’s practically guaranteed that the kids will soon abandon the legos and start exercising right alongside their moms.
3. Organize a group of moms committed to regular fitness activities with their kids. If you are a good planner, gather a group of like-minded moms and kids for a hiking (with backpack carriers) group or a running (with strollers) group.

I vividly remember how self-conscious I was at the gym after giving birth to Emma, and how alone I felt during the days. As luck would have it, I found opportunities to exercise regularly, meet other stay-at-home moms and involve my daughter, at a very early age, in the gift of fitness. I continue to feel deep gratitude for the opportunity to ease back into an exercise regimen and to all of the moms who have encouraged and motivated me for the past eighteen months.