Where my mamas at?
I'm 4 weeks postpartum and still deep in my recovery, mentally and physically. DISCLAIMER: I’m not complaining, just sharing the raw and real feels recovering from delivery and adjusting to Motherhood. The best word [made up word lol] to describe how I’m feeling is HORMOTIONAL.
First of all, thank goodness for high waisted leggings to hide and support my loose skin and mom pooch. I’m working on being extra patient with my body as I continue to recover. The emotions are at an all time high.
I'm tearing up over everything, easily agitated, craving intense workouts, but know my body isn’t ready. It actually takes more discipline for me to rest than it does to be active. I’m hungry all of the time due to nursing every 2-3 hours and pumping in between. I’m out of diapers, but still wearing pads due to constant leaking. The hemorrhoids are by far the WORST, still hard to sit comfortably. I worry a lot at night going to sleep not wanting to miss a moment with Ranger and I’m hard on myself wondering if we’re doing this parenting thing right. Lots of feels.
Lots of love.
Lots of emotion.
ALL. AT. ONCE.
For mamas reading this, including myself, this a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself and to honor the magic your body has achieved, creating life. Your postpartum body is perfect comfort for your baby(s), squishy and all. Your baby loves your skin, how you smell, how you feel. Your body is resilient and time will heal. The emotions will eventually level out as you continue to adapt to this new way of life and if you are still struggling, talking to someone and seeking help is OK. Accepting help is ok. Loving and caring for your baby is enough. You are doing the best you can, over and over again.
So here's what I want to say to my body...
Thank you for rising above the harsh side of chronic dieting, to being infertile, suffering multiple miscarriages, failed fertility treatments, surgeries to discard “bad pregnancies” and remove inflammation, to being resilient and fighting, despite the battle. To carrying and growing life for 9 months, to delivering a healthy big boy, to continuing to recover postpartum.
Throughout our lifetime, our bodies are constantly changing as we go through different seasons. Sometimes we have to start over and that’s ok. Those new beginnings are a part of your personal growth journey and learning to appreciate your body in all forms helps self love evolve. To help you “grow through” what you “go through.”
That’s where I feel I’m at right now, starting over. Easing back into workouts, starting to feel like myself again, but also getting adjusted and accepting my new body. One that is stretched out, has loose skin, not as muscular. I know this transformation will take time.
Same goes for transformation from the inside, out. The deep, inner work that is just as important, if not MORE IMPACTFUL on overall health and happiness. The 4th trimester is a little messy, it’s hard, emotions are all over the place, but I’m continuing to work on self love, compassion, understanding and patience.
Here's what I’m working on to feel good inside and out, in between lots of baby snuggles of course.
Mentally…
Daily gratitude/journaling
Reading self help books
Communicating with loved ones how I’m feeling
Setting goals for myself
Eating to feel good
Moving my body to feel good
I’ve also been getting a lot of questions about my progress almost 4 weeks postpartum. I definitely give credit to my consistent healthy lifestyle over time pre, during and post pregnancy. I eat well 85% of the time. I’m walking a lot. I also think my body is working in overdrive breastfeeding/pumping around the clock. But in addition to the above and what I’m working on mentally, physically to help my belly get back to normal AKA help reverse the droopy belly I’m focusing on…
Collagen daily-As get older, skin loses elasticity. Collagen, which makes up 80% of your skin's structure, provides firmness and strength. Elastin provides elasticity and helps your skin stay tight. The brand I use is Ancient Nutrition. It's flavorless. I add to my oats, or coffee, protein shakes, etc. Belly massages, 1-2 x per week Studies have also found that massaging the skin can help boost blood flow and stimulate fibroblasts. These cells play a role in the production of collagen and elastin, both of which help firm and tighten the skin. Therefore, simply rubbing oil or cream into the skin may have a positive effect on its appearance. Dry brushing often Dry skin brushing helps with muscle tone and more even distribution of fatty deposits. Dry skin brushing tightens and tones your skin by increasing the flow of blood to your skin's outer layers. This increased circulation can also help lessen the appearance of cellulite. Click here for an option.
Belly wrap during workoutsWhile I don't believe in these for targeted fat loss, fat/weight loss comes from overall diet, wraps in my opinion can isolate the areas you want to target and ultimately will sweat more with a wrap. Which makes you more aware of your center, providing better posture, core tightening, trapped heat, etc. I would wear this when you work out all of the time until you start to feel/see a noticeable difference. This is the one I'm using from Belly Bandit.
I hope these tips help you. Sending love, courage, strength today and everyday. You are strong mama, doing the best you can.
Love,
Ashley Legg
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