Postpartum fitness reality
After baby number two, Kristin expected to bounce back almost immediately after childbirth. Now she realizes that immediate recovery only exists in airbrushed Hollywood photos
Kristin at three days post partum (left) and seven days post partum (right)
In the hospital, postpartum, the hours smeared together in a haze of blurry light. There was broth on a tray and a balloon floating to the ceiling and my husband on a flowered pullout couch, rocking our baby in his arms. Everything felt like a mildly surreal dream state: there was a catheter attached to me on the right side of the bed, an IV drip on my left and a tiny human being in a see-through bassinet, close by at all times. Even though I knew my heart would leap out of my body once again, as it had before, I was surprised by the tears that kept burning my eyes in waves: the overwhelming love, fatigue and emotion that comes after childbirth.
I had never loved my husband more. I had never been so exhausted and so elated — and certainly not simultaneously.
I coerced the nurses into releasing me from my catheter early and started hobbling around the room within 12 hours of my surgery. I felt amped up on possibilities, certain that my Crossfit training and careful eating throughout my pregnancy had resulted in some kind of miraculous super-mama strength. I was dismayed when I limped past the sink in my room and caught a glimpse of my reflection.
“I still look six months pregnant!” I gasped to Corey.
“You just gave birth. You’re still totally swollen and you need to give yourself time.”
I got into the bathroom and closed the door and looked down and I couldn’t see my toes. Baby Jude, of course, was entirely worth a still-giant abdomen. But I couldn’t see my toes and, with the hormones and the exhaustion, tears sparked up. I'd expected that a few days postpartum, with all the work I'd done, my belly would recede uber-quickly. I expected the cellulite to whoosh out sometime immediately following the C-section and I'd hoped for an immediate departure of the varicose veins.
My mom said it took me awhile for my stomach to recede after Nolan, but a quick glance through old pictures negates that story. I bounced back fairly quickly after my firstborn, likely because it was my first C-section and I was seven years younger. This time, though, I thought my fitness level would translate into a boomerang stomach. Not so.
I took the photo above three days postpartum after Jude and then again after one week. I’m going to keep taking photos to mark that, indeed, I’m making progress and that it’s work to get in shape after baby, even though I was in good shape pre-conception — I exercised four to five days per week throughout my pregnancy. It’s a reminder that the Victoria Beckham and Beyonce Knowles Hollywood pregnancy recoveries only exist in smoke, mirrors and photoshopped pictures. Real pregnancy bounce-backs take time and commitment and my expectations of a lean body two weeks postpartum was actually totally insane.
I’ve made a promise to myself to get back into shape quickly, but I realize now that means months — not days, or even weeks.
It makes me happy to feel strong and I love having a lean, powerful body. I do believe my pre-pregnancy fitness level and my pregnancy workouts have helped me to recover quickly: I am 10 days postpartum and able to jog a little bit — and though my stomach still looks about three months pregnant — I can fit into most of my pre-pregnancy jeans.
But I’m a big fan of goals and an ardent believer in the notion that writing things down helps them come to fruition and so here is what I am going to do to whittle my stomach back to it’s pre-pregnancy shape by June.
- Start gentle cardio at three weeks postpartum: Walking uphill and jogging slowly in small, 20 minute spurts
- Avoid carbs: No dieting permitted, due to breastfeeding, but I will stick to a robust, whole food diet including lean protein, vegetables, fruit, seeds and nuts only. Occasional dairy is permissible, but breads are totally out and salt is to be avoided whenever possible
- By six weeks postpartum, my stomach will no longer look pregnant. By four months postpartum, I’ll have my abs back and will be able to do most of the Crossfit exercises I was able to do before I got pregnant
Here’s to goals and bouncing back — 3, 2, 1 go!
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J Renee (not verified) says ....
Told by my doctor today I will most likely need a c-section next week. As a CF athlete and Coach I am devastated, mostly thinking of recovery time :( Have been CrossFitting for almost 4 years now, and haven't stopped during pregnancy. Have been paleo 2 years, but have allowed myself both dairy AND grains since being prego (some days I couldn't bring myself to eat, and if I did all I craved was TOAST! SO, better to eat that than nothing...) Looking forward to getting back to Paleo/Primal after the baby, AND to CrossFit when I can. Just want to say I LOVE your post. Am now on my way to reading all of your others and look forward to following your progress. You've given me some (realistic) inspiration. THANKS!
mssinglemama says ....
I, like Kristen eat very few carbs. I have been gluten-free for nearly 18 months now. I cheat now and then, but then I feel an immediate "hang over" of sorts.
To those who believe lowering carb intake or eating whole foods is "fantatic" or "reckless" to a post-partum diet - try it yourselves before judging. It is healthier, more natural and therefore better for the children.
Our society's denial of their poor dietary habits is disturbing and I think all of you have no place judging or criticizing someone who is most likely living a healthier lifestyle than your own.
Bloggers, especially Kristin, share their stories in hopes of bringing new ideas or thoughts to the table. This is one of them. Imagine your life with a healthy, whole foods diet! Imagine how awesome it feels to have a natural energy source - your food. There are so many reasons - I could go on and on, but I'm with Kristin on this and completely understand.
kristinauger says ....
Anonymous 1: I wrote the title myself. This is my post partum fitness reality, and I apologize if it was misleading or insulting to you, but any dismay directed at Today's Parent should be directed at me. I want to clarify that I'm not a professional athlete or any more genetically/athletically gifted than the average Mom. I'm dedicated to working out, but I also have to balance my career, my boys, and everything else. The fact that you've lost 35 pounds in 5 months is incredible! I'm sorry you can't relate to me, but do you need to? We are all so different.
Anonymous 2 (why all the anonymity, internet?) -- I understand I may have some loose skin and that's OK. If I am healthy and strong and fit - awesome. BUT -- I do believe that I can achieve a great body with a very clean diet and diligent, varied exercise. I could be wrong, but at least I'm going to give it a go (with health and my boys my top priority, as always)
Anonymous3 - I hear you. I am enjoying this time very much. This column keeps me focused on fitness, but my time with my baby, my husband, and my amazing 6 year old is the pinnacle of my life.
Semi- Paleo: LOVE that you've adopted a Paleo Lifestyle and that you thought I was insane. :-) Kudos to you.
Anonymous says ....
Kristin: First of all, I want to let you know how awed and inspired I am by you. Way to go! The next comments are directed at Today's Parent. Seriously?? "postpartum fitness reality"???? Whose reality? A crossfit athlete? Wow. I have also had 2 c-sections (although mine were only 22 months apart) and I'm training for a half marathon and I still cannot relate to this article. I've lost 35lb, with 20lb more to go at 5 months PP. Great post, but terribly misleading title. Give your heads a shake.
Anonymous (not verified) says ....
Congrats on your new baby! I am in about the same shape as you and I understand you wanting your old body back. From your pictures, I am sure you can succeed! But you have to keep in mind that even with all that effort, there are thing you can't change. I have 3 beautiful kids and I have the loose skin on my stomach to show for it... No matter the amount of exercise, it will always be there. So I had to change my thinking. I have to stay healthy. That's it. If that means that I will still have a "little belly" or can't wear a bikini, then so be it. I have three beautiful children to show for it :-). Being healthy should be your priority - not wanting your old body back... Good luck!
Annoymous (not verified) says ....
Congratulations! Enjoy this time with Corey, Jude, Nolan and everyone around you. Exercise and worrying about the diet and your shape can wait for a bit. You look amazing and working out while pregnant helped so much! Hug your babies closely and just get rest so you can come back stronger than ever when you are recovered. You are awesome! Don't even think about this now...
Annoymous (not verified) says ....
Congratulations! Enjoy this time with Corey, Jude, Nolan and everyone around you. Exercise and worrying about the diet and your shape can wait for a bit. You look amazing and working out while pregnant helped so much! Hug your babies closely and just get rest so you can come back stronger than ever when you are recovered. You are awesome! Don't even think about this now...
Semi-paleo (not verified) says ....
I for one never thought I'd be able to give up carbs, but my husband and I started trying the paleo/primal lifestyle after he was diagnosed with type II diabetes. I was pleasantly surprised not only by how easy it was, all things considered, but also how much better I felt! I'm not perfect, but eliminating gluten in particular, and most carbs in general, has made me feel less bloated and more energetic. And my husband's diabetes is under control thanks to our new way of eating. A year ago I thought Kristin was basically insane (no offense!), but I'm definitely coming around. :)
kristinauger says ....
Allison - thank you so much for worrying about me but it's totally unnecessary. My priorities are my boys - that they are nurtured, loved, and provided for in every way. If I'm going to stress about anything, it will be them, and my career, and the general state of the planet. I won't stress if I don't have a chiseled stomach in 6 months, I promise.
Jennifer - thanks for getting this - I don't think Paleo is fanatical either. It's good, whole food and a sustainable way of eating for me. Besides, I feel way better without bread (even though I sometimes crave it)
AnotherMom - Absolutely bang on, and thank you for clarifying for me. I blame my sleeplessness for any misrepresentation of the point I wanted to make which is that setting goals is helpful - and that unrealistic expectations (like the ones I had) are silly. Losing the pregnancy weight by the time baby is one is an awesome goal! Definitely, all goals should be customized for the individual and her circumstance.
Anonymous - Definitely do not read if you're offended - my intent is definitely not to offend or alienate and there's a ton of rich, awesome content on this site if you're not interested in mine. Also, wanted to point out that I have limited carbs for the last 3 years - I feel better when I do so, and don't consider it fanatical since I believe that bread- and gluten in general - is not really good for me. And the before/after pictures are to track progress and show that what is often represented in the media (chiseled, fit bodies immediately post partum) is not based in reality.
Allison (not verified) says ....
I understand the need to bounce back to your original body, but also agree that it sounds a little fanatical and extreme. A C section is major surgery and having 2 kids is a lot of work, especially in the early days with no firm schedules in place and surviving on limited sleep. I'm just worried that Kristin will stress herself out too much and not give herself some time to adjust to her life now.
Jennifer Pinarski says ....
These are great goals Kristen. It is a brave - and important - thing to post them here. It really does make you accountable and for that reason, I know you'll reach your goals.
For me, nothing after baby 2 has been the same. Though I had a VBAC, I was back cycling and running at 5 weeks.
Sticking to paleo will work, and I don't believe it to fanatical. It's a lifestyle you've become to love and thrive on.
Congrats again! Look forward to following your progress.
AnotherMom (not verified) says ....
In Kristin's defense, she was an athlete in amazing shape before she got pregnant, so these goals are probably doable and realistic *for her.* I don't think she's suggesting that every new mom needs to eliminate carbs or start jogging at 3 weeks post-partum. I took as the larger point that the important idea is to have some kind of goals, even if your goal is more on the lines of "Get back to pre-pregnancy weight and/or jeans by the time baby celebrates birthday 1." (Now that's more my speed!)
Anonymous says ....
I think this post is crazy and misses the point of the immediate post partum condition. Yes, we all want to be healthy mamas who eat well and take time to exercise for our well being. But after pics in running spandex? Limited carbs during breast feeding? C'mon Today's Parent if you think this content promotes "Postpartum Fitness Reality" I'll move my mouse over to something more balanced and less ahem, fanatic.