May 29, 2019
Much like exercise during pregnancy, I had pretty high expectations for exercise after Caroline was born. I could not wait to go for a run as soon as I got released. I’m 14 weeks postpartum now, and I haven’t exactly gone on that run yet. However, I have started to find my exercise groove and what’s working for me now.
Top: Lululemon | Shorts: Lululemon | Shoes: Nordstrom Rack | Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear | Stroller: UPPAbaby | Car seat: UPPAbaby |Stroller Carry All: UPPAbaby
The last time I went for a real run was probably sometime around 20 weeks pregnant. I had been keeping up with my cardio workouts, and my belly hadn’t quite popped yet. I remember trying to run a few weeks after that and it was not ideal. It didn’t matter if I had just emptied my bladder because I felt like I was going to wet myself the whole time. The running stopped and the power walking began. Just a year ago I ran a half marathon, so I’ve been itching to find my stride again.
Caroline was a scheduled C-section (you can read her birth story here), so recovery was a little harder than anticipated. It took my incision a full 6 weeks to heal. At that point, doc gave me the go ahead to jog and ease back into regular workouts. I tried jogging and it was not fun. Not because of my belly or incision, but because of my chest. I even wore two sports bras!
Instead of running, I have become quite the walker. My typical walks are about two miles (30 to 40 minutes), and I’m always pushing Caroline in her stroller. That pretty much makes it a resistance workout, right?!
As for strength and weight training, I have been doing short YouTube videos. More specifically, I’ve been doing the full body toning videos by the Tone It Up girls. These videos are simple, can be done with a set of dumbbells, and are only 15 minutes long. I’ve been doing this video, and this one. Caroline sits in her bouncer or lays on her play mat while I get a video in.
That’s it! I am keeping workouts really simple and easy for now. I only have a finite amount of time, as most moms/new moms do, to fit in a decent workout. Also, exercise can lower your milk production, and if you ask me what my priorities are right now: Caroline eating and growing > mom fitting back into her favorite pair of jeans.
