As I write this, our sweet baby is napping in his swing. And it's given me a solid chunk of time to reflect on body after baby. We're two months out with baby number three now, and I've learned a few things along the way.
During my first pregnancy, I remember feeling REALLY good from weeks 14-38 or so. I was able to stay physically active the whole time, even going for runs well into the 32nd week. And I remember thinking how I would just bounce right back into shape.
I was young (31!)! I'd stayed active! I'd done mostly everything I was supposed to do!
When our first was born, he weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces, and I remember upon getting home from the hospital that I was excited to weigh myself. I'd gained 34 pounds during the pregnancy... and SURELY I'd lost at least half of that already, right? I mean between the baby and the placenta and the fluids... HAD to be down at least 15. And when I stepped on the scale...
I'd only lost 7. SEVEN POUNDS. How?! How was that possible when the baby himself weighed more than that?! Not to mention all the other bits I'd been carrying?!
But alas, there I stood, only seven pounds less than before I'd had a baby, and it hit me: body after baby was going to take time. And be different.
I wasn't mad or angry - just more surprised that it wasn't just melting away. I'd read all the articles about how breastfeeding would just melt the weight right off you, and once you were cleared for your workouts at six weeks, you'd feel so amazing again and want to just burn burn burn those calories. But before I even hit that point, I knew that wasn't going to be the case. And maybe because I was 31, I kind of told myself then and there that it didn't matter - it would take as much time as it needed to take, and I would be okay with that.
Small victories.
It took me almost nine months to lose the weight I'd gained during my first pregnancy, and it took me a full year to lose the weight I'd gained with my second. And I have no doubt it will take time - precious time - to lose the weight I've gained with our third. So here's what I HAVE learned.
Give yourself grace.
Y'all. Growing a human is a LOT OF FREAKING HARD WORK. And sure, maybe in real, non-pregnant life, you can drop several pounds in two months. But this is post-partum life. You grew a human. You're caring for that baby, and chances are, your focus hasn't been on yourself. And that is OKAY. Give yourself grace. Grace like rain. And don't stress if it doesn't just happen for you. It WILL happen - it just might not be on your timeline.
Don't be a hero.
It can be really exciting to get back to working out, especially if you were an avid exerciser before. But it's okay if you have to take it slower, do less reps, run less distance. You probably won't go right back to where you were pre-baby or even pre-pregnancy. It takes time. Don't be a hero, baby. You've got this, and you'll get back to the level you want to be soon enough. It. Takes. Time.
Move every day you can.
Pre-babies, I worked out for an hour 5-6 days a week. I don't have that time right now, and I acknowledge and own that. My goal is every other day for 30 minutes right now. BUT, I try to move throughout the day as much as I can. Running around with the kids. Lifting grocery bags a few times before I unpack them. Doing squats while I hold the baby (seriously, babies LOVE this!). It all adds up, and my hope is that keeping my body moving more now will only help when I DO have more time to commit to working out again.
Find what works for you.
It's entirely possible that the workout routine that worked for you before baby may not work now. You might have been an avid runner, but now you can't run with baby until s/he is older. Walks are great too - so take a walk instead... and run when you're able. If you used to spend time lifting in the gym, maybe you move to at home lifting around the baby's nap schedule (or, if baby is having a tough day, a ten minute set here and a ten minute set there!). Find what works for you. Commit to it. And make it work.
So tell me, mommas, what's worked for you? How have you given yourself grace after baby?
