Truth be told, one of my favourite things about my job is getting to work with moms pre- and postpartum. I don’t think I understood the changes to the body, brain, schedule, and life in general that a baby requires before experiencing it for myself. There is a lot to manage… and then add expectations of yourself on top of that! It can also be the very beginning of a woman putting herself at the bottom of the list of things to do and tend to. I try my best to prevent that and remind her that she is a priority and how good she feels to make herself a priority.
It is important for women to start moving their bodies again in ways that they love after having a baby. There are many reasons why it’s important, but here are a few of my favourite:
- Learning to love and appreciate your body. Your own body can feel foreign and strange after birthing a child (or at least it did for me!). Exercise can help new mommas regain strength, remind themselves of how strong they are, and see what their bodies can accomplish for them. Not to mention a little energy boost during the day never hurts!
- Improving mental health. Exercise can help new moms manage stress and anxiety, which are common in the postpartum period. It can also boost their mood and increase their self-confidence.
- Building a community of moms/friends. Maternity leave can be a lot of time alone with a baby and group exercise can be a great way for new moms to socialize and bond with other moms, which can help reduce feelings of isolation. It is wonderful to realize you’re not alone and nobody really has it all figured out 😉
Next time you hear a momma thinking of getting back into the gym, don’t assume it’s strictly for aesthetic reasons. She may need to get out of the house or maybe has a plan to meet a friend for class. Trust her and support her as she tackles taking some time for herself (likely with baby) during the day. With the proper guidance of a Coach or a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, new mommas can start with low-impact exercise and core rehabilitation and then gradually increase the intensity and duration of their workouts as their bodies allow. More on that process in another post!
