5 Things to Consider Before Your First Postpartum Workout

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Before jumping into your first postpartum workout, here are 5 things for first consider so that you have a healthy and safe fitness experience.

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5 Things to Consider Before Your First Postpartum Workout

Most likely it’s because I had Branden just a couple of weeks before my 22nd birthday, but everything was just so easy after I had him. I lost weight with no issues, blah blah blah, but with Blake, everything was so much harder. I really had to pace myself. And with the memory of everything being so easy with Branden, I spent a lot of time comparing the experiences and feeling less than the second time around. I know how silly that sounds, but it happened. Even though I was probably in better shape during my pregnancy with Blake, there was more of an emotional role that was present and it took me time to get back into the swing of things.

After going through all that, I opened up about my emotional experience of finally running postpartum and being able to look back on that experience, these are the things I wish that I would have reminded myself.

Even though your doctor has cleared you to workout, make sure you’re ready, too.

This is where things got rocky for me after I had Blake. I focused so much on just being kind to myself and my body and vowed to really focus on taking my time with things. I started small, like I should with things like yoga and walking. But of course, the cardio lover in my wanted to bounce back and yearned for more instantly. Except I really struggled with taking the leap to go back to doing the one thing I really, really have loved all my life: running.

I wasn’t emotionally ready to take the plunge even though I was cleared to do it. It took me a while, but I finally realized that was ok. You don’t have to jump right in just because you get the clear – your emotions must align with the physical also.

Make sure that proper nutrition is part of your goals.

Things are so different now. Before babies we cut back on calories, after babies we realize just how much our bodies need to use to make milk and keep us afloat. This is where Health Warrior is a savior. Throughout this post, you see pictures of their new double chocolate mug muffins (which are amazing), but their chia seed bars are wonderful too whenever you need a boost (especially for breastfeeding mamas). Proper nutrition will be your saving grace whenever you start your postpartum workout and it’s time to really say buh-bye to all those pregnancy cravings and focus on foods that are still delicious, but fueling your body.

Core before cardio.

Ahh this is a hard one, but oh my your core takes a toll whenever you are pregnant! I always lean towards cardio, but before your body is strong enough for that, we have to rebuild those core muscles. Most of us are familiar with Diastasis Recti at this point, which is gap in between your right and left abdominal wall muscles, mostly resulting in a pooch. I read recently that doctors say that most women have some form of this, it’s just that only a percentage don’t heal properly. Work that core, mama!

Consider a jogging stroller.

Gone are the days of being able to run to the gym after work, because you need childcare for your babe. I conquered this by making sure I got a jogging stroller ASAP with Blake so that I didn’t miss out on workouts and she benefitted, too. You can read more details here, but having a jogging stroller handy – even if you just plan on walking – is truly a life saver.

Remember that you will feel the burn in different places.

We all remember what it was like working out pre-baby and after other babies if your a mom of more than one, but the burn is different every single time. Remember whenever you are planning your first postpartum workout that you might struggle where you once thrived and that’s okay. Your body is changing and you will learn to adapt with it.

Looking for more healthy living posts? You’ll love these!

I wish you all the best of luck with your postpartum fitness journey and know that you will conquer your goals. Just remember to pace yourself and listen to your body. It’s okay to take things slow!

XOXO,

Allison