Making fitness a priority helps mothers shed their “baby fat" -- and get back in shape.

By Gina Shaw
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Are you a new mom who wants to get in shape after having a baby? Each month we put your questions about fitness to top exercise and motivational experts -- and this month, Brooklyn finance professional and new mom Myra Bartalos, 38, sought tips on getting back into the swing of workouts from trainer Michele Thorington, fitness program coordinator at the Hurley Health and Fitness Center at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.

Q: I was very fit before I had my daughter. I did yoga at least three times a week and cardio at least twice a week. Now my daughter is a year old, and I can’t even find the time to put on my workout clothes. I keep meaning to get back into yoga, but work, baby, and husband seem to always come first. I have a stressful job in the finance industry, so working out is important to my peace of mind as well as my physical health.

A: WebMD consulted top fitness trainer Michele Thorington. Her advice for Bartalos? Don’t quit before you start. Women often put themselves at the bottom of the list, especially first-time moms. But you want to be fit, and you want your old workout routine and old body back yesterday.

In other words, even if you can carve out only five minutes during the day, set aside those five minutes and do something active. But don’t just wait for five minutes to show up -- schedule it into your day like you do everything else. Five minutes is five minutes, and it all counts. Sometimes it can turn into 10, and then maybe into 15 if the baby goes down for a nap at the right time. The key is knowing you don’t have to do it all right away.

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Making fitness a priority helps mothers shed their “baby fat" -- and get back in shape.

By Gina Shaw
WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Are you a new mom who wants to get in shape after having a baby? Each month we put your questions about fitness to top exercise and motivational experts -- and this month, Brooklyn finance professional and new mom Myra Bartalos, 38, sought tips on getting back into the swing of workouts from trainer Michele Thorington, fitness program coordinator at the Hurley Health and Fitness Center at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.

Q: I was very fit before I had my daughter. I did yoga at least three times a week and cardio at least twice a week. Now my daughter is a year old, and I can’t even find the time to put on my workout clothes. I keep meaning to get back into yoga, but work, baby, and husband seem to always come first. I have a stressful job in the finance industry, so working out is important to my peace of mind as well as my physical health.

A: WebMD consulted top fitness trainer Michele Thorington. Her advice for Bartalos? Don’t quit before you start. Women often put themselves at the bottom of the list, especially first-time moms. But you want to be fit, and you want your old workout routine and old body back yesterday.

In other words, even if you can carve out only five minutes during the day, set aside those five minutes and do something active. But don’t just wait for five minutes to show up -- schedule it into your day like you do everything else. Five minutes is five minutes, and it all counts. Sometimes it can turn into 10, and then maybe into 15 if the baby goes down for a nap at the right time. The key is knowing you don’t have to do it all right away.

Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.

Yes, Delete This Article

Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.

Yes, Remove This Article