But I DID Have a Baby: Pre-Baby Weight IS NOT THE SAME as Pre-Baby Shape

Pre-pregnancy pants fit.

Well, at least a couple of pairs, which means that maxi dresses and yoga pants are not my only summer attire.

But just because the pants fit, this does not mean that my body is back to it's pre-baby condition.

In all honesty, I don't mind. I know that my body will never be quite what it was before having kids, for now, that is something I actually like.


When my son arrived, I bounced off the couch and ran a 5k at 6 weeks post-partum. And then, because it felt okay, I ended up training too hard, too fast, and I started to have issues.  My hips hurt. My shin splints returned.  I ran my body without tuning it up first.

This time around, things are different. Baby Girl isn't the best nurser, and I hesitate to get into full-force exercise at the risk of lowering my milk supply.  She still hates going in the jogger all by her lonesome; so, I'll keep holding her close and walking instead of running.  And, finally, and perhaps most importantly, I know my body better. I'm trying to avoid the incredible hip pain that arrived after my bones started to return to their original places and required chiropractic care and ART therapy to release the scar tissue. I'm also trying to avoid burning out and giving up.

I'm starting slowly.

We walk 3-4 miles a day, which I track using the Charity Miles App. I'm not ready to know my pace, but I can help a charity while I build muscle in my legs again.  I've been walking for Operation Smile, and organization that helps kids with cleft palates get the surgeries they need.

Next, I build core strength and aerobic capacity using the 7 Minute Workout program. Baby Girl gets her mat time, and I bounce around and plank for a bit. My upper arms are definitely sore from bringing pushups back into my life.  Even better? Little Dude will sort of bounce around with me; so, we get a family workout! I haven't bought any of the additional workouts, yet, as I am trying to "unlock" them through frequent use of the program. 7 Minute Workout gives me little awards along the way, and I am building strength before throwing myself back out on a long run.

Finally, I asked around and a fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador recommended Yoga Studio. I get frequent muscle soreness - mainly because my body is still recovering from childbirth, and I also love yoga. I'm not in a place right now where I can go out and take a class, but this app, which I did suck it up and pay $3.99 for, has great little classes, some as short as five minutes! I can customize my own program - I'm focusing on back health and flexibility right now, but I can change it up and focus on core strength or balance at any time - and, like with the 7 Minute Workout, I can earn little rewards along the way, which makes it even more fun.

Rumor has it I'm "running" a half-marathon in August, and I need to help my body handle that.  I'm not focusing on negative splits or a PR.  I'm focusing on steady healing and recovery, because keeping myself injury free is a gift I can give myself and my family.