Earlier this week as I was finishing up a set of hip thrusts, I said to my friend and training partner, Tonja:

You know…I’m “finally” feeling like my pre-pregnancy self again.

Her response, as a mother of three was, “ya — it takes time! It tends to take about a year.”

So I figure I’ve still got a few months of more positive changes to come.

Here’s the reason finally is in quotes above. Throughout my entire pregnancy, nearly everyone I ran into would always say, “OH you will bounce right back into shape since you’re in such good shape now.”

But…no. It’s still not how it works. Yes, being fit before and during pregnancy has a multitude of benefits for both mama and baby, one of which includes your recovery. Alas, you still carried and grew a baby for 40 (well, 38 for me) weeks and delivered it — and for me, via c-section.

But I digress. Everyone has their own time frame, desire, motivation, etc. in their postpartum journey. This is only my own.

Weeks 0-6

Desire to work out: zilch.

Just walking. That’s it!

My whole world was caring for a newborn, and trying to figure out how I could get 3 or 4 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period instead of just two. Oh, and recovering from major surgery 🙂

So I went on slow walks. And I’m talking slooooow at first; building up to a half mile.

After about a month, walks felt really good again, and I could go on my normal routes at somewhat my normal pace.

Weeks 6-16

Pelvic floor and diastasis recti corrective exercises and some workouts in the gym.

At this point, I missing the routine of a workout schedule, and how it made me feel strong and sane.

But I was also only sleeping about 4-6 hours a day at this point, and wearing Aria during the day for her naps. My lower back was sore, and I was in no shape to push it in the gym. So I didn’t.

Weeks 16-20

Around 17 weeks we sleep trained Aria, and my world changed. She’s been sleeping 12-13 hours a night since then and I had risen from the newborn fog.

It – quite literally – was a whole new world. I talked about how we sleep trained Aria in an IG post on my personal page, but if you’re interested in hearing about, hit reply and let me know. We used an extremely gentle method, but spoiler alert: it was still hard AF (but worth it.)

Side note: I wish I would have known how hard it was going to be. I mean, I *knew* it was going to be hard…but I thought that hard period was going to be 2-3 weeks – not 4 months (for me.)

Weeks 20-on

I started writing my own workouts again, living my life, started focusing more on my business and professional development, and focusing more on nutrition. Each week I feel better and better.

Here’s my current situation:

Workouts

Strength Training: three times a week (down from four because #summer)
Running: 1-2 times per week
Hiking: 1x per week
Volleyball: 1x per week, as usual
Walking: I try for daily
Yoga: 1x a week (or rather, realistically, every other week)

Nutrition

Guys…my nutrition game is ON* You know how sometimes you just can’t, but other times you’re dialed in and nailing it? I feel in SUCH a good groove with nutrition right now.

Here’s the situation there:

Tons of fibrous, leafy veggies — two servings with each meal
Focus on lean protein and lots of healthy fats
Carbs where needed
Using proper nutrient timing for optimal hormone health and a little fat loss
Cooking nearly all meals at home
Menu planning and grocery shopping every week
Wine sporadically
Sugar/processed food sporadically

*Clearly, sometimes it’s NOT like this. I SO remember even 2 months postpartum, ordering take out from Door Dash for the 4th night in the same week, wondering if I’d ever feel the desire to cook dinners again. Turns out, it just takes going back to getting 8 hours of sleep after being sleep deprived for months on end…

Other:

I’m still breastfeeding Aria; she feeds 5 times a day from me

I’m not sure when I’m planning on stopping. I suppose when one of us deems it time. I’m sure this journey will continue after that.

We have yet to hire a nanny or babysitter.

Guys. I’ve been putting this one off big time. But until I just can’t, I’m probably going to keep it the same.

Shane works from home, and I work — or go to the gym — when Aria naps. For clients, I usually train them first thing after feeding Aria in the morning, so Shane has Aria in his room for about an hour, and then puts her down for a 1.5-2 hour nap. That gives me three hours to train clients.

If I work out at the gym, I put her down for a nap and then jet to the gym for a workout, then straight back home.

Or she works out with me on a run or in the basement.

It really is a blessing that Shane works from home, because I can leave during her nap times. Luckily, she’s a good napper (mostly) so once she’s down, she’s down for about 90 minutes.

So…that’s life on the fitness, nutrition, and wellness front! Chugging along, intentionally eating and moving in a way that I feel really good, but being relaxed and flexible to live in the moment and have some fun.

As I said, I know this journey is ongoing, and I’m excited to see where it leads, but also in no hurry to get “there”…wherever there is, haha. The human body is so dang cool, #amirite?