This post is sponsored by Planet Fitness. All opinions are my own.
Life is busy. You have heard me say it before, and I will say it again. I plan every minute of the day. Most of the time, when I pencil in some me-time after the kids are asleep, I end up spending the night cleaning the kitchen or organizing something in the house! Finding time to focus on me is a must, and I try my best to make it happen regularly. However, I always make excuses.
Going to the gym always makes me feel good. It gives me more energy. It allows me to be more active with my kids, and it makes me feel good about myself — which is a big deal! As moms, we are always so hard on ourselves. Whether we forgot to put something in our kids’ backpacks or we were a few minutes late for pick-up, we constantly beat ourselves up. Getting down on ourselves doesn’t do anyone any good! While I know that so much good comes from the gym, I always procrastinate my workouts.
Planet Fitness membership sale
Taking the plunge is always hard, but Planet Fitness makes it impossible to say no to the gym. From May 1 – 12, new members can join any Planet Fitness location for just $5 down and then $10 a month with no commitment. Getting into the gym can be hard, but Planet Fitness fosters a Judgement Free Zone® – a non-intimidating, hassle-free, welcoming environment that makes everyone feel comfortable, which is so important to me. Making the time to go to the gym isn’t always as easy as it sounds, so the fact that there are so many club locations which are staffed 24 hours makes it easy to head in for a workout early in the morning before the kids wake up or even late at night before my head hits the pillow. There are more than 1,300 locations all over the country.
Every mom needs a support network which is why the “Planet of Triumphs” is right up my alley! Planet Fitness provides members with an opportunity to connect and support each other with an online community that celebrates all accomplishments and inspirational stories of Planet Fitness members. Planet of Triumphs provides an online platform for members to recognize their triumphs (big or small), share their stories and encourage others, reinforcing their belief that ‘everyone belongs.’ My ‘mom tribe’ is essential to success in life, so knowing I have access to a supportive group of people who will share their challenges and successes with me will help me on my fitness journey.
Calling all moms
If you are pregnant or a new mom, you hear lots of mixed messages about what you can and cannot do. Work out; don’t work out. Do more when you’re pregnant; do less when you’re pregnant. It gets confusing! Brian Zehetner, Director of Health & Fitness at Planet Fitness, shares tips and information to clear up any of those myths you may have heard. Let him get you on the right track!
Exercise tips for moms-to-be
Four myths have been perpetuated for years that don’t hold water with Planet Fitness’ recommendations:
Myth 1: If you haven’t been exercising, you shouldn’t start during pregnancy.
Reality Check: If you haven’t been exercising, it’s fine to up your activity level. Just be sure your activity level is appropriate for your fitness level.
Myth 2: Avoid the weights and stick to cardio.
Reality Check: There’s no reason to avoid strength training during pregnancy.
Myth 3: Whatever you do, dial back the intensity.
Reality Check: If you’re accustomed to doing relatively intense workouts, you can continue to do them until you no longer feel up to it and/or your physician tells you to ease up. Just keep him or her in the loop.
Myth 4: Stay away from core work and squats.
Reality Check: Core work and squats are fine. Avoid lying on your back when working the abdominals. Try a plank, some knee raises, or another alternative instead.
Exercise tips for new moms
- That first six weeks after pregnancy is primarily a time for healing, but you can also start to ease back into exercise. The most important thing is to find time to move. That’s it. No need to make it any more complicated than that. You don’t need to set some arbitrary deadline to achieve a particular goal. Just make some time for yourself and engage in an activity you love.
- If you find that setting aside time for yourself is a challenge, do something active with your baby. Something as simple as a walk outside could be just what the doctor ordered (literally)! There are also plenty of mommy and me classes that might be interesting to check out.
- Once you’re cleared by your physician for more rigorous exercise, you should be able to jump back into your previous workout program, albeit at a slightly lower intensity. It’s okay to work yourself back into shape gradually. And if you’re looking for a new fitness option, the small group training sessions at Planet Fitness may be the perfect fit. They’re fun, full-body workouts led by one of our certified trainers. And after using baby talk all day with the little one, you may find that hangin’ with some adults is a nice change of pace.
There is no time like the present to focus on yourself and make that me-time count. During the Planet Fitness May promotion, the price is right — and so is the atmosphere. Here’s to a stronger, happier you!
Disclaimer: The content provided by Planet Fitness is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult your physician or other health care professional before following any fitness advice to determine if it is right for your needs.
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