Fitness Update

It’s been almost 11 months since I had my 2nd daughter. Here is my fitness update.

A little back story... I’m a certified personal trainer of 6 years and I teach Pilates fusion, body sculpt with barre, and a yoga fusion class. I generally workout 4-6 times a week and I eat healthy. I don’t do processed and my carbs are generally oatmeal, wraps, and the occasional enchilada.

With my 1st baby, I didn’t workout as much as I should, but was still moderately active, aka 3-4 workouts a week. I gained 49 lbs. After I was cleared at 4.5 weeks, I worked out like crazy (6-7 days a week) and was very careful with my food even though I had to find the balance with breastfeeding. I was back at my pre-pregnancy size at 6 months PP. I felt like my pre-pregnancy strong self around 9 months PP. I fit in my smallest clothes around 1 year postpartum and we found out about our 2nd baby 14 months PP.

With this pregnancy, I worked out 5 days a week or more. I taught 3-4 classes a week and I did 1-2 workouts of weight training a week. My food was basically perfect. I craved broccoli for crying out loud. However, even though I did everything “right”, I gained 56 lbs. Our bodies do what they do + my doctors actually praised me for my health.

I was put on bed rest around 32.5 weeks pregnant because of preterm contractions, which is different than labor. I was removed from bed rest at 37 weeks + delivered at 40.5. (Thanks for being on time, Brynnen. 😘)

I was cleared at 12 weeks PP. I had a surgery 5 weeks PP to remove very large cyst and my right ovary, so I had to be even more cautious when coming back. I did a lot of core and pelvic floor work due to the classes that I teach. However, I just didn’t want to push myself so hard like I did after my first. That meant I only worked out 3-4 times a week, and now 8 months later, I’m still very much in the postpartum weight loss journey.

First things first, I am thankful. Thankful for a body that made it through 2 very difficult pregnancies for very different reasons. Im thankful that giant cyst wasn’t cancer. I’m thankful for a body that continues to nurture my baby. Yes, I’ve been pregnant or nursing for 3.5 years. I’m honored to have stripes, loose skin, and bags under my eyes. I am.

However, I still have 15 lbs to lose + I need to lose it.

My fitness goals always have a bigger purpose than just a number. My goals revolve around how I feel + what I can do.

About a month ago, after 4 years, I joined a gym. I haven’t paid for a gym membership in 6 years! It’s like coming home for me. I’ve been fired up, inspired + excited. I’ve been lifting heavy + doing circuits. I’m incorporating my body weight classes with HIIT + hypertrophy workouts. It’s been amazing for how I feel.

Yet, the scale hasn’t budged.
My clothes still don’t fit.

I always tell my clients that you have to do the right work + the right results will come, but y’all, it’s still frustrating. I want to see tangible results. I want to do circumference measurements and see a change.

One area, I feel like I can focus on more now is nutrition. Earlier, I mentioned that I eat well + compared to the average American I eat amazingly well. However, in order to lose weight we generally need more vegetables, so I’m working on getting back into the meal planning game. All mamas know how hard it is to eat something balanced with babies running around. I’m excited about buckling down here + now that Brynnen isn’t nursing as often, I feel less pressure to keep my milk supply up. (Milk supply is hard for me.)

All that being said... here’s what I do know, as long as workouts are challenging, I will see change. As long as I’m consistent, I will see change. Period, end of story.

Why do I share all this? Because someone out there feels like the right work isn’t working... someone feels like they will never get back to pre-pregnancy clothes/weight... because someone needs to know they aren’t alone.

I am tracking what I’m doing + I will share what works for me. We can do this, mamas!