Mamma-body update

Long before I got pregnant, maybe like a lot of women, I worried about what would be left of my body afterwards. Now, a year after, it seems to me that there's a whole bunch of negative stereotypes about post-pregnancy bodies that were unjustified. I think these come from the frustrated women out there who can't get back to their former glory once baby's come and turned the world upside down. And while I agree that post-pregnancy, getting fit and staying that way is a totally different ball game than before, I don't think it's because of our bodies. It's because of our habits, our minds and our moods.

After the caesarean  and the multiple infections the wound had for 5 months, I started to think that my lower tum would always be a lumpy mess with a Frankenstein-scar at the bottom. I also found workouts I'd done before pregnancy were now super challenging, bordering on impossible! The air just wasn't getting to my lungs quick enough and my legs lost a lot of strength.

seems so long ago...

Add onto this the factors that make post-pregnancy fitness most difficult - tiredness and demands of baby - and I felt like it would be a losing battle. Where to find the time? To make it happen, I had to think about what was important to me, accept that there will never be enough time, and commit to find a balance between pushing myself and caring for myself and my family.

I got off to a good start by doing short, intense bursts of exercise when Ethan was napping. I moved onto jogging with the pram, and later with added squats, press ups and burpees. Eventually, 9+ months after birth, I was back in a gym. And then things really took off. Now I find myself in the best shape ever, even daring to compete in CrossFit throwdowns and opens and entering a bikini fitness competition.

you can do it!

Mums/Moms, the biggest things to overcome if you want to regain your body and your confidence are:

1. Guilt - being away from baby to do something for yourself is a challenge in itself. It's natural to feel like you should be there for your baby always, but its not realistic and ultimately it's not helpful for baby or for you. Get past the guilt by reminding yourself about setting a good example of healthy lifestyle for your baby and planning special time for you to dedicate to them regularly in the week.

2. Nutrition - we all like to think we eat healthily enough, but take stock. Keep a food diary. Your body always tells the story of your diet. For the first 4-5 months after birth, I was just surviving. Emotionally I was up and down, and physically I was in pain. Add in some sleep deprivation and suddenly a quick price of toast seemed the best option for a fast meal. And with all the changes and stresses that brings, willpower was at an all time low. Sweet treats felt deserved and my diet was very unbalanced and lacking nutrients. While all good diets take planning, even more so with a baby in the house. Think ahead of time what you are going to need, prepare the night before and don't get trapped by the biscuit with tea at play group.

3. Imbalance - too much of anything makes you dull and drains you. So whether its being devoted to the role of motherhood or my task of being fit, balance is key. It's strange now to think that I ever had thoughts about life that didn't include being a mamma. But I have to allow time when I can just be me to be fit. The key is to not feel bad about it. I'm human and thoughts creep in about guilt and how being away from my little man so I can do some squats is un-motherly. But in fact, balance makes me a better mamma, more ready to really be with Ethan when we have time together, instead of distracted. At the same time, I need to strike a realistic balance between too much and too little rest - which means finding that point where you're pushing yourself enough, but not too much. For everyone it'll be different but balance is vital for anyone to truly be healthy.