Better health in less time while you juggle #1
During pregnancy number 1, you do all the right things. You attend pre-natal yoga three times a week, sleeping in and afternoon naps are part of the program, organic food features high on the menu, pregnancy massage is a must and you even manage to maintain pretty peds by visiting the nail bar even after your bump obscures your view of your feet. But what happens when you’ve got one on board and one on the way? How do you find time to stay healthy then?
Gone is the free time, the exercise time, the rest time, the personal maintenance time. Your life has been happily hijacked by a little one for the last wee while and it doesn’t seem set to change any time soon.But if you’re to feel good, stay healthy and bounce back after the new addition arrives, you know you need to allocate some hours over the next 9 months for body, mind and soul.
We’ve done a bit of research and come up with some ways to fit in a dose of daily feel-good factor when you’re time poor and expecting.
Dance it off
As part of the dans Festival, da:ns Footwork is offering workshops from now until October where you and your little one can get instruction on dance disciplines that will make you breathless. There’s tap, hip hop, bollywood, swing and even k-pop! For something a little different we tried out Tahitian Dance and swayed our hips to smiles. Spreading joy and mucho feel good factor we highly recommend the lovely sister act instructors at Tahiti Dance & Fitness.
Get in and get out
Hitting the gym need not take time or get you ripped like Arnie. Keep your kit by the door for a grab and go approach and hit up a health locale that specialises in targeted routines for the time-poor. Body Temple intentionally design their programs to accommodate busy mums, and they are experts in pre and post-natal fitness. We love that this place offers one-on-one training in an all-girl environment. We really like the philosophy of newly arrived Mom In Balance, who are all about women who have had babies and are about to have another! Their Pregnancy Workout is specially designed as a total body workout for women that are expecting. Great attention is paid to pelvic floor muscles and we love that you can do this one outdoors. You can even hook up with these guys post-pregnancy to get back in shape safely and steadily.
Combine exercise and playtime
Enjoy some endorphins with your kids and couple fitness with fun. UFIT offer Mum and Bub classes in the Botanic Gardens where your stroller will come in handy for walking squats and stretches. Little ones can enjoy some fresh air while you gasp for a little of the same. If you’re into yoga then Blue House Nursery & International School offer family yoga sessions that combine all aspects of yoga for all ages.
Hit the floor at home
No need to grab the car keys or even get dressed – simply roll out your rubber mat at lunchtime while your little one sleeps or plays, pop in a DVD and follow the instructions on your TV! We like 10 Minute Solution Prenatal Pilates with its compact routines for busy schedules that can be split or combined. Another favourite is Jennifer Wolfe’s Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga Short Forms with its 15, 30 and 45 minute practices. Both are available from Amazon.
Dial a trainer
Get your fitness home-delivered and order a trainer to your house or location of choice. Donna O’Shea is a qualified personal trainer and Pilates instructor who can conduct private pre-natal Pilates sessions in your own home. The awesome-sounding gym-less option from Body-By-Rick even helps to relieve lower back tension that sometimes develops through pregnancy.
Join the club
If you’re lucky enough to be a member of a club in Singapore you may well be sitting on an answer to your fitness dilemma already. The British Club offers child-minding services in their playroom for children above 2 years of age. You can drop off your little one for some amusement with on-site toys and games while you step next door for a work out at your own pace. You can always combine this with a swim afterwards with or without number 1. Sky Fitness have state of the art facilities for both you and your little one. While you exercise in peace your child will be happily entertained and kept safe with complimentary child-minding services.
Do it yourself
The great outdoors are ready, willing and waiting. And they’re still there after dark. Tuck your little one into bed and get outside for a dusk-time walk or swim. This kind of exercise is gentle, always available and doesn’t cost a thing. Get hubby to join you and catch up on the days events or just go it alone for some peace and reflection.