Finding out your pregnant ushers in a whole new set of exciting changes and challenges. You may have asked yourself, “How am I supposed to workout when I feel so tired?” Sometimes, the motivation to exercise seems overwhelming. Just remember, exercise should CREATE energy, so if you feel tired know that some physical activity can actually help you feel better after just a few minutes. Here are three ways to help create motivation.
Think of these three tips when looking at the overall big picture of your exercise:
- Think about your motivation. This could be determined as to what will instantly gratify you or motivate you over your entire pregnancy. Maybe it’s healthy pregnancy= healthy baby. Helps relieve aches and pains? Help you sleep better? Helps relieve some stress? Write down the source of your motivation and look at it daily to remind you of why your exercising.
- Make the workouts short. Short workouts can be very effective and can fit in to a packed schedule. Plus if you are already feeling tired, you almost feel like it might be easier to get through it (then you start and feel great anyway!) Can you manage 20 minutes in the morning? How about during your lunch break? Can you fit in 10 minutes before work and 10 minutes after? A couple of short workouts add up over the course of the day and week.
- Pick a time and stick to it. If your schedule can be unpredictable during the day you may not want to save your workout for the evening. A short workout in the morning might help you stick to it better. Or maybe you have nothing but free time in the evening and you have a very early hectic morning. Put it on your calendar! Schedule time for yourself.
As you start to exercise more and your energy increases and your aches and pains subside, hopefully you will make the connection that exercise is the reason! Within no time at all exercise will become a habit and just be a great part to your daily schedule.
If you find yourself still not able to consistently exercise or are having trouble figuring out your exercise plan let us help!
