Whether baby has just arrived or you are a second time Mum, New Year is always a great time to start afresh. Yes resolutions are a bit clichéd but why not use the turn of the year as an excuse to start up something new or to simply make a few changes to your lifestyle. You don’t need to do anything life changing to make a difference (you’ve already done that!) but a few tweaks in your daily routine could help to put that spring firmly back in your step…

Read my New Year Fitness and lifestyle tips to give you a few easy ideas…

• Clear out the fitness closet
• Step by step
• Goal attack!
• Awaken your senses routine

Clear out the fitness closet

What’s motivating about deciding to go to the gym only to realise your gym pants have provided a feast for moths or your T-shirt still has a baby bump in it?? Not a lot. And it’s not going to do anything to enhance your body shape either. So make your 1st resolution to ditch the dingy workout gear and go treat yourself to a few new items of fitness wear. Don’t forget the two most important items of a woman’s kit are your sports bra and training shoes. Take the time to go and get both professionally fitted.

Lots of the larger fitness factory outlets have great bargains so there’s no reason to pay an arm and a leg for it either!

Step by step

If you’ve been meaning to get back into fitness since last New Year then make the date in January and prioritise it for this year’s resolution list. Don’t be too hard on yourself either, if this has been your 1st year as a Mum you’re probably just starting to feel like yourself again! Make the date and stick to it, whether it’s meeting friends for a brisk walk in the park with baby or a gym or fitness class write it in your diary and stick to it no matter what.

Remember if this is your first gym or class visit in a while to make yourself known to the trainers. And don’t worry if you can only just manage a walking pace on the treadmill, the fact of the matter is you are there and you will only improve from that point.

Goal Attack!

One of the reasons we fall off the fitness wagon so soon after we get started is because we don’t put any firm goals in place. Goal setting is what tends to get results in most aspects of our life e.g. passing exams, going to college or university and having a career. Your lifestyle and fitness are no different and without set goals in place you probably won’t get very far.

Here are some ideas of goals you could try to aim for:

• Commit to a road race. Whether it be a 5k fun run, 10k or marathon, do it for charity and make it even more worthwhile!
• Try a new sport. Always wanted to try horse riding, mountain biking or rowing? Put yourself out of your comfort zone and give something new a try!
• Climb a hill! In Scotland we are spoilt for choice and there’s no better way to appreciate your country and no better reward than getting to the top of that hill or mountain. There are lots of beautiful hills and dales to explore throughout Scotland, England and Wales and well anywhere on the planet really!

So chose your goal and ask your local fitness trainer to come up with a fitness plan to work towards it. It’s great to train when you have something specific in mind to work towards.

Awaken your senses routine

To start off your New Year and your day on these dark and dreary mornings, try my energising routine!

• Warm up with a 5 min jog on spot/dance/climbing the stairs
• Stretch all muscles groups (see previous articles for ideas)

CIRCUIT

• 20 squats with arms raised above your head
• 1 Min of step ups
• 20 modified or full press ups
• 1 min star jumps
• 20 triceps dips
• 1 min squat thrusts
• 20 alternating lunges
• 1 min shuttle runs
• 20 crunches
• 5 x plank (holding as long as you can up to 1 min and resting in between reps).

REPEAT THE ROUTINE 2-3 TIMES, 1 IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER

• If you are less than 5 months post natal, aim to complete once and build up only when you are ready to. Always speak to your GP or Physician prior to commencing a post natal exercise programme.

Whatever you decide to do enjoy it and take the time to find an activity that you do actually enjoy. Time on your own as a Mum is more precious than ever before, so you want to make sure you enjoy your leisure time as much as possible!

Photography: Wendy MacLeod