"Bouncing Back" after Pregnancy
/Bouncing back after pregnancy is something that gets brought up a lot. Some moms “bounce back”, others do not. Why are some woman so keen on getting their old bodies back so quickly after pregnancy? Nowadays looking good quickly after pregnancy, supposedly makes you super human and awesome? NO, it should be about helping create a new strong foundation for your body, feeling yourself again, and increasing your health! Bouncing back after pregnancy can be easy for some, and harder for others. “Bouncing back” has become a stigma that has caused shaming, hate, and jealousy towards each other when some woman reaches it more easily than others.
Let us remember, first, that everyone is different. There is nothing wrong with being different. It seems that being “different” has caused so much hate and discrimination in this world. Whether it be in the fitness world, fat or skinny, strong or weak, muscular, or not, able to do handstands or not. Or if it is a difference of opinion, skin color, or sexual preference.
At the end of the day everyone is different, we all look different, so are we really going to be mad because we don't look identical, or that someone has a silver car and not a red car? No! It is ridiculous. We all need to embrace differences, learn from them, and love them.
Being difference should bring us together, not tear us apart.
We as woman should come together and love each other and praise each other for our differences. Whether it be because she has beautiful stretch marks from creating a human, or a beautiful stomach with none. This negative stigma needs to disappear. On that note, let’s move forward in a positive mind frame, loving each other no matter what, building each other up, and not tearing down body image.
Bouncing back after pregnancy can be easy for some, harder for others. The first step is to love your body, embrace it, and remove any negative stigmas towards it. Before you can change anything, or get back into feeling healthy, good, and in shape, you must change your state of mind. You need to embrace everything about yourself, truly love it, in all its glory! You must understand that your body doesn't need to be a certain way, your mind does! Once you can learn to eliminate the negative, you can get back to building strength in your body without tearing yourself down during the process.
Start by taking walks and doing yoga. Then eventually you can start getting back into strength training, and building your weakened muscles back. This is a process. It took 9 months to create a life. It could take the same amount of time just to getting back to the beginning state of feeling you again. Then it can take longer to get back to the pre-baby bod. When starting a workout regime, you must understand that you are starting from scratch! Which can be awesome and a new beginning! Why is it awesome? It’s awesome because it’s like pushing a reset button to fixing any old muscle imbalances. You get to challenge yourself, and create a new strong you! Start by creating a strong and balanced base, then build yourself up.
Start building strength in the weakened areas, remembering all muscles in that area that help with those movements. For example, creating a stronger core you first need to build a balanced foundation. Start by toning the stabilizing muscles, then work towards major muscles groups. You can start with body weight exercises, then move to bands, then weights. Eventually you can get back to your old normal routine in no time! Just stay consistent. Whether that means take 10 minutes every day or 30 minutes to work towards strengthening your body. Just keep moving one step closer.
So, remember, all of us are different, that's what makes us so strong and powerful! Raise a fellow mothers’ spirits, let’s build each other’s confidence, love each other for being unique. We can all be in this together instead of feeling alone. Together we can change the idea of body image, creating a happier earth where woman can be confident in any shape, size, or amount of stretch marks, whether we have a different opinion, different color hair, or different color cars. We are all beautiful, all strong, and all unique, that's what makes us perfect!
Steps to a Healthier Postpartum Body
Love yourself fully, in all its glory. Change your mindset from negative body image expectations.
Start by walking and stretching
Incorporate yoga and light exercise
Build a strong foundation
Think about all muscle groups and their helping muscles in that movement (agonists, synergists, stabilizers, and antagonists)
Start with body weight exercises, then move to bands, then weights
Pay attention to your diet (are you eating too much, are you enjoying nutritious foods that aren’t processed)
Be patient
