Don’t be like the thousands of others who give up on their gym memberships once February hits! We spoke to Maroubra Fitness First Personal Trainer Tatum Lawler about motivation and keeping yourself on track, whether you’re a newbie to the gym or looking to get back into your fitness routine after a hiatus.

What are your tips for mums who are finding it hard to find motivation to go to the gym?

A gym that has a crèche is perfect, so you can drop bub off and get your workout done with no worry. I would also recommend a gym buddy, organise to have coffee after as a workout is much more fun with a friend and coffee is always a good idea. Most gyms offer small group classes for mums, this can be less daunting and the classes are tailored just for mums.

What are your tips for mums who are trying to lose weight after having a baby?

Take your time. You have just grown a human inside your beautiful body! Before getting straight back into your usual gym routine enjoy time with your baby and choose outdoor walks you can do together, aiming for at least 10,000 steps a day. Move your body in ways that make you feel good and when the time comes I would suggest a personal trainer who specialises in pre & post-natal, to make sure you are strengthening the correct areas.

What are some of the most common misconceptions that you’ve heard surrounding fitness?

That gyms and lifting weights are just for men. A lot of women now know the benefits of lifting weights but there are still a few out there that think picking up a set of dumbbells is going to make you look bulky. This couldn’t be further from the truth; all my female clients lift weights and they love the feeling of becoming stronger every week, feeling leaner and seeing that tone in their muscles. All of them will tell you my favourite saying, “Who doesn’t love a sexy back?”