Body After Babies + My Workout Essentials
It’s no secret {or surprise} that over the last six plus years my body has changed quite a bit. I was 29 when I began fertility treatments for our first baby, and it didn’t take long before the hormone injections, pills and the immense amount of stress began to make some unwanted alterations to my body.
I gained a significant amount of weight with Maddie- several pounds before she was even conceived- and it took roughly seventeen months after she was born before I felt truly comfortable in my body again.
Just in time for us to begin fertility treatments for baby number two.
A few IVF’s and a biochemical pregnancy left me heavier than I would have liked when we decided to take a pause from treatments altogether. It had been my hope to lose the extra weight before really “trying” again; and then our beautiful Lila {thankfully} decided to show up all on her own.
By the time I gave birth to our second girl, I had, once again, gained a significant amount of weight. This time even a little bit more. And it was just A-OK with me- I was healthy, my baby girl was healthy, and I was beyond happy to have our family complete.
But in those postpartum months, as the weight and loose skin lingered, I just didn’t feel like myself.
In hindsight, I rushed it; I put too much pressure on myself to “get back” to that fighting weight that I had achieved seventeen months after Maddie Mae.
It was a slow start for sure, as I eased into working out as a new mom of two. But I was getting somewhere.
And then COVID hit. And I threw my hands up at the whole thing.
How was I supposed to lose fifty pounds if gyms and fitness studios were closed? If we couldn’t go outside? If my kids were home all day long? If all I wanted to do was stress eat as the world buckled up for a pandemic?
So I took a break from thinking about it. I was patient. I gave myself time, and grace. I made small, gradual changes. I took it day by day. And while I’m not exactly where I want to be, I can feel the effects of these tiny changes; I can see that goal in sight.
I’m not a fitness expert or a doctor; I don’t feel comfortable giving advice when it comes to exercise or diet. But there are a few things that have personally helped me to get back to feeling good and to stay focused on the prize.
So here are a few things that have helped along my fitness journey:
1. Find a Class that I Love
This has always been a huge motivating factor for me. Finding a fitness class that speaks to me both mentally and physically, with instructors that I connect with has always helped me move. Thankfully, fitness classes have been open here since we relocated down south, and it has been super helpful to be able to be able to attend them whenever I can.
2. Closing My Rings
I’ve noticed a big difference when I consistently wear my apple watch. Being aware of how much {or little} I may be moving in a day allows me to keep myself in check and make the necessary changes. I also share my activity with a few close friends/family, which is an added incentive to close those rings.
3. Move However and Whenever I Can
I used to be really specific about the way I would break a sweat. But these days, I take every opportunity I can to move. Even if that means a twenty minute jog or a deep stretch class at our yoga studio; even if that means a 5:45 AM spin class before the babies are awake. If my body doesn’t feel like running four miles one day, I will throw on a podcast and go for a long walk instead. However I can get those steps in, I’ll take it.
4. Intermittent Fasting
I had dabbled in intermittent fasting last summer, but our move and holidays somewhat derailed that experiment. That said, I took another shot at it in the new year, and I’ve been pretty committed to it for the last three months.
Typically, I stop eating around 6 PM and won’t eat again until 11 AM the next day. I still enjoy my coffee with almond milk creamer first thing in the morning, which I’m not sure, technically, I should do. But that’s just a non-negotiable for me.
If we go out to dinner on the weekend or a special occasion I’m pretty flexible with that window; but other than that I typically stick to this schedule throughout the week. IF has been one of those small, habitual changes that has been fairly easy for me to keep up, and has been super beneficial.
*Again, I am not a doctor or nutritionist, so always consult an expert for best advice for your body.
5. Patience is key
There have been many times over the last eighteen months when I would feel super down for not being where I wanted to be physically.
Thankfully, I was able to take solace in the fact that I was able to get back to where I wanted to be after my first baby, albeit somewhat slowly. My motto throughout this process has been that its a marathon not a sprint. And instead of striving to fit into a pair of jeans or a dress, I always find more success moving towards the goal of feeling healthy and energetic. Patience and grace aren’t always the easiest for me, so I often try to remind myself that if it isn’t something I’d say to someone else, I shouldn’t say it to myself. I’ll have off days. I’ll sometimes wish my clothes fit differently at this point. But overall, I’ve made a commitment to be patient and proud and keep on going; one day at a time.