My Postpartum Fitness Routine

04.05.2019

I think one of the tougher things about life postpartum is feeling that urgency to bounce back to your former self, both physically and emotionally, right away. But it takes time. Sometimes a lot of time. You’re hormonal and exhausted, in a body you don’t totally recognize, and your life has completely changed.

I remember having a love/hate relationship with my body after I had Charlie. Of course I was proud and happy that I created a healthy and adorable baby. My little miracle. But a part of me felt so discouraged. Would I ever feel like myself again?

I think no matter who you are, what size you wear, or how tough/easy your pregnancy/new baby is, we all struggle a bit postpartum. Not only are our hormones all over the place, but we have a new job to do. The most important job. And we want to do it right.

For me, being the best mom I can be means taking care of myself first. Personally, I’ve always been a huge exercise person. I love running. I love getting my heart rate up and getting lost in thought. So I knew that the best way to feel good about myself was to get back into it right away.

I didn’t get back to my pre-pregnancy weight with Charlie until I finished breastfeeding. I plateaued only a few weeks after giving birth. I was SO hungry and then it was the holidays. Blah blah. But at about 6 months postpartum, I did the Whole 30 and the weight came right off. Every person’s body is different. For some, breastfeeding does wonders. For me, making better choices with food made everything else fall into place. My sleep was deeper and I felt so much more energized to exercise.

After I got cleared to exercise after having M, I started taking both kids on the trail in our double jogger for long walks and runs. I felt comfortable running with them because our jogger is so steady and the trail is actually pretty smooth. Once I got the hang of it, I felt like Superwoman. I decided running would be my starting point and it has motivated me to eat healthier too.

What I put into my body impacts everything else in my life. I didn’t really want to give up wine (I just had 9 months of so many limitations!) but I knew if I did a few things in moderation, I’d feel good and be proud of myself. So I decided I’d eat paleo during the week and give myself some freebees on the weekends to have wine and enjoy chocolate and other treats! It’s helping me stay on track during the week knowing I’ll get to live a little on the weekends.

By eating well, I’ve felt so much more relaxed and energized. It helps that it’s been beautiful outside and my baby has been a champions sleeper. And that we make exercise a family activity! We frequent Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (where these photos were taken) so Charlie can play in the sandbox or run around and we can chase after him. We spend lots of time at parks, playgrounds, and in our neighborhood. We are certainly active.

In addition to that, I have been doing a baby barre class with some friends. You just bring your baby carrier and wear your baby while doing to muscle training! It’s amazing. Working out with friends makes it so much more fun :)

I decided I’m going to embrace a new attitude with my postpartum journey and focus on loving myself. Look at the process as a way to take care of and strengthen the body that created two amazing babies. Love myself by saying yes to help, eating well, getting outside with my babies, and enjoying that wine on the weekends! Attitude is everything!