I’m so ashamed to say that I haven’t done any consistent exercise whatsoever since Baby Y was born. Yep, nothing for nine months. And considering I didn’t do anything terribly strenuous past Month 6 of my pregnancy, that means I haven’t exercised consistently in an entire year. Yikes.

My excuses run the gamut. There’s the normal stuff all moms face: lack of time, lack of energy, lack of motivation.  I have some novel ones, too (frequent travel, no sidewalks, winter blahs). Unfortunately, I’ll always find new ones.

But I’m tired of picking through my clothes only to realize just how much still does not fit, and I’m frankly just tired of feeling tired. The weather is warming up, and I need to get moving. So, I’m going back to what works: It’s time for another round of Couch to 5K.

One of Baby Y’s first trips in the jogging stroller

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If you’ve never heard of Couch to 5K, it’s a two-month program that mixes running and walking, gradually increasing the running and decreasing the walking, until you’re running 30 minutes straight. Because it doesn’t require a huge time commitment or special equipment – just three 30-minute sessions a week and a good pair of shoes – it’s a great option for new moms who are short on time. And it’s also a great program for people who do best having a definable goal.

I’ve done Couch to 5K before. The first time was about five years ago, when I was dating Papa Y. I wanted to drop a few pounds and have a hobby in common with my boyfriend (and I sure as heck wasn’t picking up golf anytime soon). I managed to stick with it and even build up to running 6 or 7 miles at a time – that was absolutely huge for me, as I’ve always been a lot more brain than braun. Papa Y and I even did a few races together.

If I can recapture even a sliver of the feeling of accomplishment I got from completing the program the first time around, I’ll be happy – especially because it is not nearly as easy for me to stick with anything now. As if being a working, breastfeeding mom without childcare other than Papa Y isn’t enough, I also have to drive somewhere safe to run (we live on a busy road with no sidewalks). Fortunately, I roped a friend into doing the program with me, who managed to talk a couple more friends into it, too. Now we have a standing date a couple times a week after our kids are in bed (thank you, Daylight Savings time). That definitely helps with motivation!

If anyone else is contemplating trying Couch to 5K, here are a few tips from personal experience:

  • Get good shoes; they can mean the difference between a few aches here or there and extreme pain. Go to a running store for help picking them out – some stores will even analyze your stride to help you get the right gear.
  • Invest in a good sports bra, especially if you’re well-endowed. I always excused myself from running in the past because D cups made it uncomfortable. Now that I have a few good bras, it’s not an issue. Check out some options on Title 9. My go-to bra is the Three Reasons (also known as the Moving Comfort Fiona). Bonus: It has Velcro in the front, which is handy for breastfeeding!
  • Download a Couch to 5K app; this is the official one. You can build a playlist and control it inside the app, which simply tells you when to run and walk without stopping your music.
  • Go slow. Seriously. If you’re panting and getting side stitches and all that, you’re going way too fast. I will not be breaking any records any time soon, and I’m OK with that.
  • If you can, find a running buddy who will do the program with you to help keep you accountable.
  • Drink lots of water throughout the day, not just during your workout. I could always tell when I was dehydrated because I would get winded so much more quickly.
  • Don’t be afraid to repeat a week if you don’t feel ready to move on yet. No big deal.
  • Sign up for a race a week or two after you’re supposed to finish the program for added motivation. Your only goal should be to run the whole thing, no matter how long it takes.

I’m done with Week 1 now; I even managed to finish today’s session with Baby Y in the jogging stroller. It was definitely doable, but it’s sad how tired I get just running in 60-second spurts. Not that I expect anything different after a year without exercise!

Have you done Couch to 5K before? If you’re a new mom, what kind of exercise are you managing, if any?