During Pregnancy and After Pregnancy
What are your personal goals after the baby is here?
My main priority is my baby, and understanding how to become a parent with my partner. I am a mother. I am daughter. I am a sister and a friend. But, I am also a runner, athlete, and someone who believes that being active truly heals the mind, body, and soul.
The healing process and what items I am taking to the hospital is something I go into further detail under post partum care. It is important to understand the physiological / physical changes of what your body goes through during birth - that video link explains the changes in the different stages of pregnancy.
My biggest challenge is to run another half or a full marathon in 2024 - as a new parent, my world has shifted dramatically. Finding time for myself amid diaper changes, and sleepless nights is no easy defeat. The idea of running / training for a race postpartum seemed audacious, but it became a beacon of personal rejuvenation and strength.
Understanding the demands of postpartum recovery, I set realistic yet ambitious goals. I chose the half marathon as my ultimate target, recognizing the importance of a gradual and mindful approach to ensure both physical and mental well-bring.
I successfully maintained a workout routine during my pregnancy, incorporating a variety of functional training, flexibility exercises, cardio workouts, and strength training. The significance of exercising during pregnancy cannot be overstated, especially because it helps mitigate the additional stress placed on your joints. While it did become progressively more challenging to exercise as my pregnancy advanced, I remained dedicated to my fitness objectives. It was of utmost importance for me to engage and activate the relevant muscle groups and joints, enhance my range of motion, and prioritize deep breathing during stretching and various other forms of physical activity.
I've linked a few medical journals at the bottom that demonstrate the importance / benefits of any type of exercise during pregnancy.
I have always enjoyed staying active, and learning the science behind it.
I will update this blog every week after birth to keep up with my personal fitness goals.
Back into it - Running for Beginners
In the meantime, here's a couple of videos I posted of me working out during my pregnancy. I did gain 65 + lbs throughout my pregnancy, so there was a lot of modification that took place.
Walking and stretching was part of my everyday exercise routine.
POSTPARTUM WORKOUTS
Week 6 - UPDATE : I've been cleared for exercises, and I am focusing on low impact, mobility, functional training, and flexibility to restore my pelvic floor, and improve my mental health.
Currently doing a 28 day at-home pilates challenge by Bailey Brown - YOUTUBE - FINISHED (lots of modifications)
Every woman has a their own timeline of recovery, and it is important to listen to your body to understand when you're able to commence a workout routine. Depending on the type of delivery, starting pelvic floor exercises can prevent any long term complications. Under my Week by Week, I demonstrate simple pelvic floor exercises that are beneficial to your entire core.
I am under a care of a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, and here's why:
Increased pressure on my pelvic floor / potential prolapse
Three Finger Diastasis Recti
My workouts are tailored to my conditions, and I wanted to share them with you. My long term is goal is to get back to my exercise regimen; run long distances, practice yoga, and weight train. Follow my journey as I demonstrate what exercises are facilitating my postpartum healing.
Completed doing a 28 day at-home pilates challenge by Bailey Brown - YOUTUBE
I am not encouraging to begin working out right after you give birth - this is what is working for me and has been signed off by a specialist due to my progression.
EARLY POSTPARTUM STRUGGLES
The postpartum journey presented unique challenges. My body had undergone significant changes, and the road to recovery was filled with uncertainties. Finding the delicate balance between pushing my limits and respecting my body's needs.
Patience and self-compassion became my constant companions.
THE MENTAL GAME OF POSTPARTUM
The mental aspect of pp fitness cannot be overstated. Battling the doubts and embracing the journey with self-compassion and resilience became key to overcoming negative mindsets, and mental barriers.
Staying active was very IMPORTANT for me; for my physical, and mental health.