Fitness Tips From Fit Moms

In the journey towards postpartum fitness, I've become slightly obsessed with following #fitmoms on Instagram.

Instead of making me feel discouraged or frustrated about my own still-doughy postpartum body, I find these moms to be real, encouraging, and inspirational. Here are a few of my favorite tips from some of the lovely ladies I follow!

Postpartum fitness is a journey.

It can be so, so tempting to simply give up when I look down and see that my body isn't bikini-ready after giving birth. (Yup, I'm one of those!) But Amanda Tress of @fitparenting reminds us that fitness is a journey and we do have what it takes to get where we want to be — no matter what that looks like for each of us.

Being healthy is not selfish.

Part of the reason I love working out is that it feels like it's time just for me, which is also the reason that it can be so hard to do when you're a mom!

Amber Kuiper of @mommysmetime totally gets that. She's a fellow mom of four (with twins, no less!), but she reminds me that working out and being healthy is so important, not just for the health of the whole family, but for something that makes us feel like the individuals we are.

“I'm still Amber, a woman who loves to have adult conversations, who loves to get to know new people, who loves to encourage others, and who loves to break a good sweat. I have learned that when I find an outlet for the things that make me feel like ME, I'm in turn a more passionate mom and wife. I feel alive and have more to give,” she says.

{ MORE: The Birthrate in the US Is Declining - But Why? }

Always be prepared.

Just like a good mom always has a snack in the diaper bag to fend off a hangry toddler, Leah from @leahcasefitness knows that a fit mom is always prepared with a snack — for herself! Planning ahead can go a long ways into helping you choose healthy, nutritious food that fuels your body and will keep you away from the cold, leftover mac and cheese.

Lifting weights can go a long ways.

The #1 thing that all of the fit moms I follow have in common is pretty simple: lifting weights! Moms like Sarah of @saraheevans_livingfitnclean, who has three kids, swear that there's no big secret to a weight loss transformation like hers. It's all about the right food, hard work, dedication, sweat, and lifting weights.

{ MORE: Real Moms Share Their Biggest Surprises About Their Postpartum Bodies }

So … who wants to hit the gym with me?