Working Out Post-Pregnancy

Before becoming a Mom I had gotten very used to waking up at 5:30 every morning and getting in an hour at the gym before work.  I was religious about being in kickboxing every Saturday well before class started to get "my spot".  I was training for my first half-marathon and proud that I could run 9 miles without stopping.

It took me a number of years to build up to this type of lifestyle.  I've always worked out to some extent but it was a much more casual affair.  By age 30 I had stepped it up quite a bit and was becoming the most athletic and what I thought was the healthiest I've ever been.  Although, not the thinnest.  I was in good shape, but there was always a layer of fat that I couldn't get rid of, which I realize now was made up of wine & vodka.

When I look back at some of my pictures just before getting pregnant I felt like I look fairly bloated even though this is when I was doing my longest runs and hardest workouts.  But it was also when I was very much enjoying delicious Italian wine.

Italy - Feb 2010

 Within a few months of getting pregnant I noticed that I was actually looking slimmer!  I finally realized that I was loosing all the booze weight.  What a revelation!



8 weeks pregnant - April 2010

 Throughout my pregnancy I continued to workout, but very low impact.  Instead of running I used the elliptical machine.  I still went to kickboxing, but cut out the kicks and jumps.  Working out made me feel good and I think was a big contribution to why my pregnancy went so smoothly.  I recovered quickly from surgery and was back to taking long walks within 2 weeks of delivering Em. 

However, getting back into my old workout schedule has been challenging.  Let's be honest, it's been impossible.  I've gone for two runs since she was born and both felt awful and uncomfortable.  I've always had a large chest, but breastfeeding made it crazy big and running was just terribly uncomfortable. Plus, my legs & feet hurt with every step.  And my breathing - forget it - I could barely go a 1/2 mile without stopping to walk.  This sucked because I had really been looking forward to getting back into running.  Beyond the physical difficulty I just didn't have the time to commit to being a runner. I think working out and "me" time is important, but in all honesty I just didn't want to spend my time away from the baby running.  I wanted to be getting pedicures, taking a nap, enjoying a super hot shower.  So running, went by the wayside.

I still do religious go to kickboxing every Saturday and have reclaimed "my spot" at the front of the class, but other than Saturday's you'll never catch me at the gym.  Thanks to my Mom's Group I got a TON of walking done in the first 4 months.  We met 2-3 times a week and walked 2-3 miles each time.  The great thing was I could take Emily with me and didn't have to sacrifice time with her in the sake of fitness. 

The funny part is that I'm skinnier now than I've ever been in my life.  I haven't gone near a scale in months but my clothes are all too loose for me and I can see the difference in my face & body in pictures. 

I know the muscle tone isn't there yet and I'm mainly thinner due to breastfeeding and lack of booze.  But it's a good starting point.  I'm sure I'll slowly work back in the running, weights etc.

For years and years I've based my self confidence and esteem on my weight and continually felt inadequate.  For the first time in my life I could care less how I look because I've realized that what's more important is how I treat my family and those I love. Being a loving mom to Em and wife to Harry are much more important to how I feel about myself than how my pants feel.  And maybe that's easier to say because weight isn't a huge issue.  However, I can say that once I stopped stressing about what I ate, working out constantly and the numbers on the scale, it all fell into place.

At this point I feel the healthiest that I've ever been.  I feel like I have a good balance between what I eat, drink and my physical activity. 

Now, if only I could get my ass back.  I swear I had one before the baby!  (Le sigh - we're never completely happy...)