POSTPARTUM FITNESS ROUTINE
UPDATE & WHERE WE’RE AT
I could not be happier to get back into working out and my fitness routine! Movement has always been medicine for me- it keeps me feeling good and is a major outlet for my stress and anxiety. Especially as a pilates and yoga instructor, I was impatiently waiting for the green light from my doctor to get back into things! I will say, by 2-3 weeks PP I was already craving movement and going on daily walks. I had a really smooth labor and delivery and honestly needed the movement to stay sane while primarily staying inside the house most days. Now that I am able to fully resume all activity, I feel super motivated to jump back into things. As a new mom juggling a lot of emotions and responsibilities - my fitness routine is one of the only things I can control. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t itching to get back to my pre-pregnancy body. While I am so proud of what my body did, it is easy to compare myself to how I looked before! I think I complain to my husband at least once a day that none of my clothes fit still and I need a new (or old) wardrobe lol. It took me 10 months to get here and I know what is needed: patience, grace and hard work. In order to feel my best I have to give myself lots of love- which includes holistic practices, healthy eating, sleep (as much as allows currently), hydration, stress relief AND movement. Without getting ahead of myself and while trying to stay present, I’m going to roll with the motivation that I have and see where it takes me!
CURRENT GOALS
Currently, I am aiming for 2-3x/week mat pilates or sculpt, 2-3x/week running and daily walks (goal 10K steps). This may seem ambitious, but I’ve always been super active and this routine aligns with my pre-pregnancy and pregnancy routines. I am also back to teaching two classes a week which is an easy way to knock out some time on the mat. Ideally, I would also love to set a goal to run a half marathon in the next few months. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I think it would be a fun challenge! Stay tuned for updates on that! Despite having these goals, I recognize that it’s not an all or nothing mentality and a little bit is better than not at all. I think the goals I have set for myself are attainable but there is nothing to freak out about if I fall a little short. Sometimes the most that gets done is a contact nap in the carrier while on a walk and that is more than OK with me! I am moreso wanting to find some sort of routine and consistency (I am type A in that way) and rebuild my strength and endurance. Even though I continued to stay active over the last year, you naturally lose a bit of it. Tip: I would highly recommend keeping up with your workout routine as best as possible while pregnant! I definitely contribute it to having such a smooth delivery as well as making it so much easier to get back into things PP.
I can’t wait to see how the next few weeks/months go and will continue to reevaluate my routine over time. I know that in order to be the best mom, I need to be the best ME! My fitness journey plays a small part in that and I hope by making a consistent effort toward my health I will continue to heal and find myself on this postpartum journey. Sending you all love!