Four golden rules for fit moms

Natasja Beks-Kartodimedjo (35) is living with her husband and daughter in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. She is a succesful business women with her company Efficere. Natasja is also fitness instructor (Les Mills Body Pump and Body Steps) and outdoor trainer for Mom in Balance. Let Natasja inspire you with her four golden rules for fit moms.

Outdoor training for mothers
I am outdoor trainer and a fit mom myself. The participants in my training sessions are all active women who are pregnant, women who had just became a mother, or have been a mother for a while. Many women after pregnancy struggle with incontinence due to pelvic issues. So am I going to blog about women and their “incontinence issues”? No I’m not. I want to INSPIRE.

#1 Never give up a healthy lifestyle
I have met women who are pregnant or became a mother who started to make excuses. Yes that’s right: excuses! Before the pregnancy they sacrificed everything for a healthy and fit life, but give up their healthy lifestyles afterwards. “I don’t have time” and “I’m so tired” are all excuses I have often heard. Others simply lack knowledge about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during or after pregnancy. They don’t know they are actually allowed to exercise during and after pregnancy. I am telling you now: yes you can exercise! Actually, you should. You will stay fit and you will get more energy to take care of your family!

#2 Go training outdoors
I usually shout out loud to the ladies participating in my outdoor training sessions for Mom in Balance: “You are amazing”! Because we train outside, a run to the bushes can happen. These women won’t stop exercising because of “a golden shower”. The excuse “I can’t run because I pee in my pants”  is no excuse for these women. So why should you?

#3 Make time to exercise
Ok, seriously. Maybe you recognize yourself as “one of those women” and as a mother I know that there’s no greater joy than having a child, but it also changes your life…..big time! It took me two years after giving birth to start exercising again. Yes I also was tired and yes, I also didn’t had the time, but when I started to exercise again my energy level went sky high! I could do so much more than I ever imagined!

#4 Get off that couch and just exercise
So here are some final words of wisdom: Get off that couch, make time and exercise! Don’t overdo it by going to the gym six times a week, but go out, take a stroll or go power-walking with or without friends; whatever you do, just exercise.

#Behappy, be you, be inspired! Say no to excuses.

Signing off,
Natasja, Fit Mom.