It’s hard getting back into rhythm after having a baby. I think back to when I had my first, Isabella, and it was such a huge shock to the system. Simply getting out and about felt like a huge mission, and a trip to the shops took half an hour of preparation, just to get out the door. And don’t even talk to me about getting back into any sort of routine with exercise or food prep! Thankfully, it’s a bit easier the second time around.nI’ve been so much better with food and exercise since Noah was born 6 months ago. And there’s several reasons for that. One of them is that I’m a much more confident mother than the one I looked at in the mirror 3 years ago. I’ve had experience with babies now, so it’s not that scary this time! Another reason is that I’ve set myself some goals, and it’s given me some real focus with my workouts and the food choices I make. If you don’t have a target to work towards, it can be really hard to put in the necessary effort to see some real changes. The third reason is that I had to come to terms with the fact that I was starting pretty much from scratch again. My core was weak. My running was slow. My ligaments were still stretchy, so I had to ease into exercise. All part and parcel of bringing a baby into the world!nBut rather than feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed or frustrated about where I was at, I had to remember what my body had just been through. I also had to remember that I didn’t have to be fit to start – I had to start in order to be fit. Even though I couldn’t do a sit up or run very far anymore, that was perfectly fine. The point is that I started and then momentum took over, helping me feel fitter and healthier than I have in a long time. So, if you’re feeling frustrated with where you’re at, or if you’d like to do some exercise but are too embarrassed to try, my advice? Just start!nIf you’re anything like me, you’ll doubt yourself and you’ll be frustrated about your fitness levels, but then you’ll find yourself enjoying your workouts (and some time out from the nappies and the feeds). Just give it a go….