My Secret for Getting Back Into Shape After Baby

Working out has always been extremely important to me. As a naturally anxious person, exercising daily helps me to stay in shape but more importantly, it helps me keep my stress levels down. 

That said, as a new mom, finding the time to get a full workout in is usually so much easier said than done. 

Excited to share my #1 secret for getting my daily workout in with you today. I'm also rounding up 12 of my favorite workout brands of the moment you need to know about because they'll motivate you to hit the gym.

12 Fitness Brands You Need To Know About

When it comes to workout wear, I usually set out to buy staple pieces that will last for a long time rather than trendier pieces. I'm an avid runner, boxer, biker, hiker and hot yogi. For all of these activities, I really like to sweat and also feel comfortable.

Since I'm never setting out to just "look cute," I've found that practical clothing for me is always key. That said, I do think you can have the best of both worlds--especially with the brands I'm sharing below.

I usually like to work out in tight leggings and looser-fitting tops. The below tops make me feel comfy and confident and I can't recommend them enough. 

The materials these tanks are made of wick away sweat so well, they're soft and they wear really nicely wash after wash.

More Fitness Brands I'm Loving

I'm also loving all of the below pieces but especially the leggings.

I've shared my love for the K.Deer yoga brand before here and here. I've been a fan of this brand for years because their pants are seamless and are so perfect for hot yoga, running and everything in between.

These striped K.Deer "Jody" leggings are my current faves because even though they have a pattern, they're classic and they go with everything .I'm also loving the below gray and black ombre leggings by Beyond Yoga and these patterned leggings by Teeki. The fit on both of these are perfect and true-to-size.

My #1 Secret For Getting My Daily Workouts In

The following may seem so simple and ridiculous but I swear it works for me:When I wake up in the morning (especially on weekends), rather than putting normal clothes on, I immediately put on workout clothes.

I also make sure that I top off my look with running shoes soon after rolling out of bed.There's something about wearing sneakers around the house that makes me feel so much more motivated get my workout on.From there, even if I spend the next few hours living my best #momlife, I know I'll be ready to dash out the door for a workout later on. This has proved to work for me time and time again.

How I'm Balancing #Momlife With Working Out

This balance has been one of the toughest things for me to figure out and I'm still a work in progress!After having Naiya, all I wanted to do was get back in shape. The problem was finding the energy, strength and the time in which to do so.

So far, I've found that the key to balancing #momlife with working out is planning workouts where I can actually bring Naiya along with me. That way, even if I can't find the time to break away for a workout, I can still get one in.

I also make sure that I seize every 15-minute window for working out that I can. Even if I only have a short time that I can go work out, rather than deciding to chill, I go for it. I know I'll thank myself later.

Even if it's just a brisk walk with Naiya, I'm in.It's so important to me that I sweat every day--even if I can't get a full hour in. I feel so much better about myself, it clears my mind and I really believe it makes me a better mom, wife, employee and everything in between.

Must-Have Running Stroller & Carrier

I'm so grateful for our running stroller because it allows me to spend time with Naiya while I also get some 'me' time.It helped me to find my first dose of freedom during maternity leave and it's still one of the most used and loved gifts we've ever received since becoming parents.

If you're in the market for a running stroller of your own, Graco's "Fast Action Fold Stroller" is amazing. The wheels are very much like bike wheels.

They run so smoothly on just about any terrain which is especially helpful for your stride.Whenever I want to go on a long walk instead of a run, I also love putting Naiya in our ergo baby carrier--another game changer we're obsessed with.

I love keeping her close and being hands-free at the same time. We have the "Omni 360" version that has grown so perfectly with Naiya as she's gotten older. She happens to love facing in towards me right now but now that she's bigger, we eventually look forward to facing her outwards too.

Podcasts To Amp Up Your Workout

Whether Naiya's in her stroller or carrier, one of my favorite things to do is to strap her in, put on some of my favorite podcasts and get lost in the neighborhoods around our home.

If you haven't listened to the Goal Digger podcast by Jenna Kutcher, you have to check it out. I'm absolutely obsessed with it and I find it to be such an amazing motivator for my workouts.

Jenna is a Minnesota-based multi-hyphenate who is killing it in the entrepreneurial game. She's a wedding photographer, podcaster and she runs an educational program in which she helps to inspire other entrepreneurs.

Jenna and her hubby are also renovating a condo in Hawaii, they're prego with their first baby and she runs a watercolor business.

Every episode, Jenna gives advice about how to make it as an entrepreneur, how to dream big and she re-defines what success can look like so that you can craft your own dream career.

This podcast is helping me to stay focused, get inspired and my workouts fly by so much quicker. By the end of my runs, I feel like I'm ready to take on the world too.

For other podcasts I'm loving, I recently included a few others here.

Photography: Azusa Takano