I ummed and erred about writing this post. I am almost 4 weeks post partum and definitely ready to start planning my fitness regime and getting back into shape post Piglet’s birth. But I want to get the old six pack back.
Why was I hesitant to write this? Probably for fear of judgement.
It’s a funny old world sometimes. The media is quite well known (Daily Mail) for flaunting all the celebs who bounce back into shape in a fraction of a second post giving birth and this is a massive pressure for ladies with a) no personal chef or b) no personal trainer or c) no fricking time!! Social media has fought back. My wall is full of memes, posts and pictures from friends and bloggers of normal post partum bodies. Stretch marks, rounded tums, extra weight and saggy boobs. These memes and pictures are proud! They send a big FU to the media and celebrity world. They scream normality and are a massive reassurance for all women post birth. You don’t have to bounce back. Love your bodies; they grew a life, went through a hell of a lot so take your time and recover. This is great and how it should be.
However, I reckon if I posted a picture of me back in some of my pre-pregnancy jeans now, I don’t know if it would go down the same way as one of the memes I mentioned above!! This shouldn’t be the case really, as some people do just pop back after a baby and this is just as normal.
The picture below shows me 2 days post partum. I hardly took any pics (useless!):
This is me 1 week.
I’m not one of these women who wants to wait an age to get my body back. Anyone who reads my blog knows I love to exercise. It’s not a chore; it’s a lifestyle and I miss it. Three weeks and a lot of walking later my tummy has deflated. I can slowly see my abs coming together but it’s not “my tummy”. The tummy I had pre-gremlin and pre-Piglet. I want to get fit again. I want to slot some fitness and gym time into my new routine and as hubby works from home and so far Piglet has taken some expressed milk; I’m hoping to slot it in.
So I may not be typical. I’m going to wait and do things properly but I’m proud to admit I want my pre-preggers body back and I’m going to work at it when I can!
So what is my plan? What is operation six pack?
Ideally I should be waiting for my 6 week check but I’m going to go back to the gym around 4 weeks. For the first 2 weeks I will be doing light cardio only. No weights, no abs and no high impact at all. I’m thinking a 40-45 minute session consisting of the cross trainer, stair master and bike.
I have had a bit of pelvic pain on the left which started pre the birth of Piglet. I think this may be mild SPD so I will get this checked at 6 weeks. I do feel this is improving though. After my 6 week check, I will move onto the weight machines and build slowly from there.
Guidelines suggest no running or high impact for 5 months due to the healing of the pelvic floor and the joints being more relaxed due to the hormones of pregnancy. I’m going to take my time this time around. With the gremlin I pulled my back by working my abs too early and pulled both deltoid muscles and these took an age to feel better.
Spinning will be brilliant as are short sessions, will build up my aerobic fitness and tone my bum and legs. I’m also planning to go back to Body Pump and build up my weights again.
Insanity and circuits may have to wait until the New Year. I’m just really keen to avoid injury this time!
So watch this space. I will be documenting what I am up to and I hope to be back in the swing by Christmas.
Wish me luck!
Good on you lovely – you look fab already! I do know what you mean – even though I wasn’t really exercising much before I got pregnant, because the breastfeeding has made me lose quite a bit, I do fancy jumping on board and getting myself toned up! Unfortunately I am still healing down below so I can’t do anything too strenuous bit now that I’m no longer ill, I’m going to try and get out on Tuesdays and Thursdays for some long walks whilst Zach is at nursery (he doesn’t do long walks!). I’m definitely eating less cake than I did after I had Zach because I can’t eat it around Zach so at least that’s a benefit hehe!!
I think good for you hon. I’m not surprised you ummed and erred about writing it but you’re not telling anyone else they need to do the same, you’re just doing what feels right to you. I would like my pre baby body back too but even with running 3 times a week it hasn’t happened and I just don’t have your dedication to do more! I’m sure you will get back to being you in no time, and love doing it 🙂 xxx
Good for you! You already look amazing as well. Look forward to reading about your progress. #MarvMonday
I salute you hon and I think that you’ve handled this sensitively. You aren’t saying that this is what all new mums should do – but exercise is something that you love and enjoy so it’s fantastic that you are feeling ready and able to get moving again so soon. I think you look fantastic already, and you are a real inspiration for other new mums that want to regain their post pregnancy shape asap. I’ll be cheering you on xx #MarvMondays
Good for you. I struggled massively with the judgement that I was a still a size 8 on the day I gave birth. Despite having average sized babies, and five of them at that, I just didn’t get a bump and within a day of having my babies I looked completely back to normal. I never really talk about it because I fear people will see it as being smug or bragging or making others feel bad about struggling to lose their baby weight, but actually I shouldn’t be made to feel that way, and nor should you. I’ve never been to a gym in my life so I can’t even put it down to that, I’m just lucky to have a fast metabolism and good abdominal muscles. Whilst we shouldn’t judge women who sport stretch marks and an extra few pounds, nor should we judge those who are naturally slim and actually would have given anything for a lovely big bump!
Bloody hell you’re amazing! Wish I had that drive 4 weeks PP but I just wanted to chill for a while and it took me over a year before I started doing running again. Best of luck to ya x
Getting back to who you feel you really are is so important after birth. I train six days a week and I couldn’t wait to get back to it!
#BestandWorst
Well done, and as you say it’s your lifestyle, and your body will be more able to cope as that’s your ‘normal’. My tummy bounced back after H, and I really think because she fed (and attempted to feed) so much that was why, but also the fact that that’s just the way I am. Good luck, and enjoy your you time x
You literally are wonder woman I swear!! Such an inspiration #bestandworst
You know I’m a gym bunny and I went back after about 4 weeks. It would have been sooner but I had a nasty water infection which knocked me for 6. It’s all about listening to your body and taking it steady but equally it’s good to gt back in the swing and feel like you’re doing something positive when you feel all wobbly! Each to their own though, I know not everyone would agree with us! #bestandworst
You can do, whatever you set your mind to. I linked a post that would go side by side with yours – perfect timing!;) All the best on your journey!
#bestandworst
I can totally relate. I felt a great need to regain ‘my’ body after the birth of my daughter. Unfortunately, I also injured myself and it took 6 months of physio to get to the stage where I can exercise safely again. Now I am taking it slow – I never want to go back to that pain but I’ve realised the important of staying strong – it’s not just about looks. Best of luck on your journey, I hope you enjoy it and get the results you desire. #bestandworst
I returned to exercise class at 8 weeks post partum. My only real reason for waiting till then was because of episiotomy and stitches! I think that no one knows your own body better than you, and that returning at your own pace is the best thing you can do. Its also a great way to have a little time away from Piglet and do something for you #bestandworst
You look amazing! I still look pregnant and the twins are two! I have that condition where my abs separated and now resemble the F**King Grand Canyon. Bye abs…
#runjumpscrap
Good luck! You love your exercise you shouldn’t feel you have to hide it, I get why you were hesitant to post though. We are all different. Enjoy it.
good luck Sarah. Everybody has things for themselves that they enjoy and that make them feel good. Its important to stick with those things, screw anybody that doesn’t understand it. #bestandworst
Good for you for doing it for the right reasons and not because you feel you have to. You put me to shame. I haven’t had a baby recently and don’t do anything like you plan to do! Good luck with it all 🙂 #bestandworst
Great job! After all my pregnancies i jumped back to my youtube fav exercises around 4 weeks post pardom. I took it easy and just did my preggers workouts for a couple weeks and then added weights and went form there. It’s hard, but you are obviously waaay fit and should have any problems!
Inspiring as always!I love how spinning is your intro exercise. I do about four spin classes a year and usually wanna die after 🙂 #bestandworst
You should feel ashamed of yourself… looking that bloody fabulous 4 weeks after giving birth, haha. Like you said your exercise is your lifestyle. Its a part of who you are and it feels natural to get back into it. Just listen to your body and go with your intuition. You do look incredible and like i’ve said in previous posts, mummy hood suits you x Renee @peonieandme #bestandworst x
Good on you. We are all different and have different bodies and lifestyles and none of us should feel ashamed of that. You were exercising right up till the end of your pregnancy and were in great shape then so it’s no surprise you want to get back to what you enjoy. You do already look fabulous though x
#Bestandworst
Returning from #bestandworst
Good for you! What a woman chooses to do with her body is her choice and we should celebrate those women who work hard to get their figure back, as well as those who are happy to let be. I know that after having Taylor I felt a real drive to exercise (which is weird since I hardly ever do) and it felt like I was regaining control again of my own body after the nine months of pregnancy. Look forward to seeing how you get on xx #bestandworst
Okay firstly, you look amazing. Secondly I will be following your journey. I am 11 weeks post birth and really struggling to find the motivation to lose my baby bump, and it really is a bump as when I put on weight it always goes onto my tummy so to be honest I still look pregnant. I really want to lose some weight but I do struggle to put the chocolate down especially with not being at work! Good luck lovely! #bestandworst xx
Good luck! I am still struggling with my excess skin from birth – although I have some abs behind the skin and stretch marks! #bestandworst
Good on you! I really need to start working on my post baby body and my baby is now actually a toddler! I will be reading your posts and taking down tips to try and get back in to shape too 🙂 #bestandworst
Well done that’s truly amazing good luck thanks for hosting #bestandworst
Ah good for you! I dont think theres anything wrong with wanting to get your body back post baby. I know exactly how you feel, I just lack the motivation to actually do it because Im not in the routine or habit of working out like you are. I really admire you for being so dedicated to carving out the time to make sure you fit in something that you love so much and I think all of us mums should. I cant wait to watch your journey back to your pre-baby (or as close to) body, good luck! Emily #bestandworst
We do put so much pressure on ourselves to look our best straight after baby (damn media!) first time round I was relatively laid back about it all, I gained 4 stone and with only being 5 ft 3 and at my heaviest 12 stone save to say it needed shifting, but it just went away slowly. Now with baby #2 I’m a bit more conscious of wanting to get some kind of fitness in there but how I will I have no clue. You look great already! Good luck and don’t be too hard on yourself 🙂 #bestandworst
It sounds like you’ve read up on how best to approach health and fitness. Do what makes you happy. #bestandworst
I was like you & couldn’t wait to get back to it after the birth – I started running again 4 weeks after BB and Little B and that was right for me #marvmondays
Back again from #bestandworst – hope training is going well!
Good luck with it all. Spinning was a saviour to me after I had the boys – as you say they are short sessions but you fit a lot into that short time. xx
sorry popping in from #bestandworst
Good luck! It should be whatever you feel comfortable with – it is wrong for there to be pressure to immediately be back in shape, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t okay to want to get back to exercising if you enjoy it. It is a strange area where everyone is criticised, I agree. I always feel a bit uncomfortable to admit that I am one of those ‘bounce back’ freaks of nature. It literally just seemed to be the way I am built, but it does make you feel like people will judge or find you irritating. It’s not really right – it was just how I naturally was just the same as if I had been someone who naturally took a while to bounce back, but somehow it is not quite seen that way! Everyone should try not to worry about what happens for everyone else, and just embrace the way it is for them and what they want to do. #bestandworst