I read a lot about pregnancy, postpartum body changes, getting your pre-baby body back, finding out you can never have your pre-baby body back (because you had a baby), etc.
I mean, I read a lot. My coffee table book for the 9 month journey was this beauty. I had a lot of advice from friends--- all different kinds of friends with all different kinds of bodies, that responded in all kinds of ways to birthing babies.
The one thing I read quite often was to take it slowly. Some people bounce right back (I know, it's hard not to hate them), some people don't. I already came to the conclusion that I don't. The weight stays on and I have to work hard to get it off.
But nothing prepared me for the physical challenge and exactly how slowly I would have to "take it."
I walked throughout my pregnancy, and I was in good shape before it. So, even though I watched in horror as I reached my goal weight 4 weeks before baby A was due, I had every reason to think I could get back into working out, running, and definitely walking with little to no effort.
My body told me differently. While I could walk easily even before 6 weeks postpartum, several things happened...
1. I got tendinitis in BOTH of my hands, and it was severe. At 2-3 months, I couldn't pick up my baby girl without significant pain. Mommy thumb, as they call it. Both hands, I struggled throughout the week, and my sweet husband did all the lifting (still does at 6 months) on the weekends and when he's home. I got a nice break around 3.5-4 months when everyone else could hold her at Christmas. Watch your texting and Facebook cruising while nursing, mamas.
2. At 3.5-4 months, I went on a walk and came back crippled. I had dislocated my SI joint, which is common in postpartum women, because of all the prolactin still coursing through my body and my (somewhat strong yet) still weak core strength, especially in the "pooch region." I was hunched over like a 95 year old for WEEKS. I mean, I spent WEEKS (read: 2 months) nursing my back ... back to health. At 6.5 months postpartum, I still have to be careful not to overdo it.
3. My milk supply was INSANE. It didn't level out until she started sleeping through the night around 4 months, and even then, it wasn't until about 2 weeks ago that I could put a sports bra on without pumping before a workout. If you don't know, that takes up a lot of precious time.
4. My baby only sleeps for 30-45 minutes at nap time and that isn't long enough for a workout and shower. It is too hard to get a solid workout in while having to pause to help baby with something. The gym was out of the question for me, personally, because of all of the germs in a particularly nasty flu season. I woke up early for a few weeks to try out Shaun T's T25, but that was short lived once we hit a little sleep regression and mommy was up all night making sure baby wasn't suffocating as she slept on her stomach. I tried weekend workouts at the gym, and evening time classes, but all of those classes cut into the precious little time I had to spend with my husband.
5. Six and a half months. This is my first real, no pain, no fear trip back to the gym. I can only lift light weights because of my hands, still. I can only run in little spurts. My body has finally taken a shape that resembles a larger-hipped and mommy pooched version of my pre-baby body, plus about 25 extra lbs. My knees hurt from extra weight, and if I'm honest with myself, my body image sucks. For way too long, the only time I ever felt normal or beautiful was when I was carrying my beautiful daughter, because she was every excuse I ever needed to explain my body, and no one is EVER looking at me when she is around.
Now, looking back on the past 6 months, I think it's important to share this with my mommy friends who want to be motivated. Isn't the community of moms just great? These women have been so wonderful to share their experiences and listen patiently to mine, nodding fervently and smiling at my experiences.
Some people will bounce back better than others, and more healthily, but it has taken me 6.5 months to start the actual rebound process! That's a long time, for me. I hope mommies and future mommies reading this will be encouraged. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Health is important. I think being active is important. But being happy is most important. I hope you won't make yourself miserable or break your body, like I have, trying to get back to what you once were. You're not the same, and it's for good :). Enjoy your little one(s), smile, and be free. Your baby belly can wait, but your joy cannot.
Best wishes on your journey,
Lindsay
Some people will bounce back better than others, and more healthily, but it has taken me 6.5 months to start the actual rebound process! That's a long time, for me. I hope mommies and future mommies reading this will be encouraged. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Health is important. I think being active is important. But being happy is most important. I hope you won't make yourself miserable or break your body, like I have, trying to get back to what you once were. You're not the same, and it's for good :). Enjoy your little one(s), smile, and be free. Your baby belly can wait, but your joy cannot.
Best wishes on your journey,
Lindsay
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