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Rick Hanson, PhD and Jan Hanson, MS
Parenting is a lot of work! But to be the best parents we can be, we have to take time to nurture ourselves as the people we are outside of being Mom or Dad. Psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, and acupuncturist & nutritionist Jan Hanson, MS, authors of Mother Nurture: A Mother's Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships, are here to help!
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Who has time?
Everybody tells you to exercise these days, but who's got the time for it? There's a saying about exercise: Oh, I do get the urge sometimes. But I just lie down until it passes! Kidding aside, exercise …show more content…
And if not, you can get loads of information about exercise in the books or videos in the box, or from personal trainers in your gym or health club. If you've recently had a baby, your OB/GYN can make recommendations about safe and gentle exercises to strengthen stretched-out abdominal muscles or tighten up the pelvic floor. Of course, if you have any orthopedic or anatomic problems that interfere with exercise, please consult your doctor or physical therapist for specific …show more content…
You can walk by yourself, grab another mom, or -- courtesy of modern technology -- use a cell phone with a headset to catch up with a friend. Bringing your child in a stroller or in a baby backpack will make it even more aerobic and eliminate the child care problem. Many communities have a group of moms who go for walks together. Or if you're ready to pick up the pace, you can go for a run. You could even bring your child, if you like, by using a baby jogger, a mommy-powered tricycle.
Ride a bike. Riding is great fun with a child. She can sit behind you in a kid seat, or you can get a cruiser-trailer that hooks on to the end of your bike, and she'll look like a queen in a carriage. If she's old enough to ride on her own, she can come with you, though you'll probably need to drop her off back home midway through your workout.
Take an aerobics class or use the equipment in a gym. Many gyms now have on-site child care, even for infants. Try to work out a regular schedule with your partner that's truly feasible and not