2. Listen to your body

I was eight years into my streak as an extremely mediocre runner when I got pregnant. Post-baby, the pounds just didn’t come off through running and breastfeeding my bottle refusenik meant I could no longer head out with a podcast for a couple of hours’ pavement pounding on a Saturday morning.

It was time to shake things up. I started seeing a PT who was cool enough to let me bring the baby along to our sessions, and in the process discovered a newfound love for the gym. I could achieve way more in half an hour than I ever could running and the pounds finally started shifting.

Similarly, if you can’t fit in the types of workout you did before, keep an open mind and try new things. YouTube HIIT workouts, lunchtime spin class, old school DVDs during naptime – if there’s a will, there’s a way.

3. Walk this way

I walked everywhere when I was on maternity leave and my dog and waistline thanked me for it. I remember ordering an ASOS parka and Nike high tops online while a two-day-old Quincy was in NICU (that’s another story), partly to cheer myself up, partly to inspire me to get out and about when we eventually made it out of hospital. Along with a phone full of podcasts, they became my faithful companions as I clocked up many a mile. I had an app to track my steps and regularly hit the 10k target.

If you’re a working mama and think you don’t have time, could you incorporate walking into journeys you’ll be making anyway? For example, walking your little one to nursery and running home? Or taking a lunchtime stroll in the park? It may not seem much if it’s only a mile away, but a few times a week will make a difference.

4. Look at your options

Most local authorities run classes for mums where you can take the buggy along or use their creche facilities while you work out; many are cheap or even free so do your research and get yourself out there.

Buggy Fitness was my maternity saviour. In true Selfish Mother fashion, it was my fave of all the groups I went to because it was just for me (YAY for no sitting on the floor with mum bum). My local group was run by Active Community Fitness in Hyndburn and from my first session the lovely Sally (and her mini-me toddler helper) welcomed me and made me feel at home. I made loads of friends and got a great bootcamp-style workout for £1.50 every Monday. Plus a free coffee and catch-up afterwards, the perfect time to feed hungry babies.

5. Batch it real good

Batch cooking is my holy grail of healthy eating. Every Sunday I find a spare hour (during naptimes or before everyone’s up) to whip up enough food to see us all through the week. As a veggie household this can include chilli, lentil dhals, soups, chickpea curries, bean burger mix, falafel mix, breakfast birchers and baked sweet potatoes. Whatever I can freeze and chuck in the microwave at a later date. I will stop at nothing in my efforts to be as lazy as possible come nightfall.

6. No excuses

I tend to find if you choose to make something a priority, you can make it work. I try to apply this to healthy eating and exercise by making them non-negotiable. My thrice-weekly workouts are now a fixture of family life, so no one questions it and everyone just gets on with the routine. It might seem selfish, but it’s not – happy mama, happy baby.

7. Get everyone involved

Solo exercise is great for the mind and body, but doing something with the family in tow can burn cals without you even noticing and set a good example for the kids. Cycling, walking, jogging, swimming, a game of football or rounders at the park – make a day of it and have some fun. For the first few months of Quincy’s life we all went swimming every Sunday morning and I made a habit of sneaking off to do lengths. It’s not much, but it was good for everyone.

8. Shop smart

9. Baby steps

To be sustainable, any routine has to seem manageable and not overly daunting. Equally, it’s important to be good to yourself and take it easy after having a baby. So when it comes to planning exercise and healthy eating regimes, start small and don’t be hard on yourself and you’re far more likely to be successful in the long run. Plenty of time to pick up the pace as you go along, the important thing is focusing on yourself, listening to your body and giving yourself a well-earned break.

10. Embrace the changes

I’ve spoken to a lot of mum friends about this and everyone seems to agree your attitude shifts post-baby. I can’t be arsed trying to be a certain size or weight, I’m just cool with not looking pregnant. Anything else is a bonus. It’s good to have goals and that’s what helped me lose a bit of weight. But now, I’m more bothered about setting a good example so I’d rather Quincy saw me cooking meals from scratch, keeping fit and indulging from time to time.

In the words of Joey… Pizza! We like pizza!

Image credit: Keystone