Flexibility for Accountability

This time last year (and for years prior) I followed a fairly consistent weekly workout regimen. Three or four days of one hour (sometimes longer) strength training workouts, one or two running days (30 or 40 minutes), one day of yoga, and one day of rest. Six days a week worked pretty well for me, and I even managed to stay consistent through my pregnancy, despite a day or two when nausea had it out for me.

Fast forward to the birth of our son. I had to have a scheduled C-section to deliver our beautiful baby boy, because he stubbornly positioned himself (and remained) breech around 34 weeks, until I delivered him at 39 1/2 weeks. Despite my best efforts to flip him naturally (headstands, acupuncture, inversions on an ironing board for an hour a day, etc) I needed to have a C-section. This left me at ground zero for core strength, having to recover from major abdominal surgery. I wasn’t even able to sit up in bed without my husband’s assistance. As you might imagine, this was not an easy grasp for me, a personal trainer, physically or mentally.

As I returned to working out, I did so very cautiously. I’d heard horror stories of women who returned to working out too soon, or pushed it too hard and had terrible setbacks. I had no desire to go anywhere but forward in my recovery, and I’m happy to report that my core strength has completely rebounded. I’m back to working out regularly, albeit with a schedule that looks very different.

The purpose of this newsletter is to talk about flexibility. Remember my aforementioned workout regimen? I couldn’t dream of having that kind of time anymore. An hour to myself to work out? Please. I’ve returned to training clients, I’m balancing caring for our 4 month old, housework, grocery shopping, cooking. pediatrician visits, etc. I now can see firsthand how easy it is for a new mom to struggle to stay consistent with working out, or worse, to throw in the towel altogether.

I refuse to admit defeat. Even though our son doesn’t sleep great at night, and for some outlandish reason, thinks multiple 30 minute naps during the day are sufficient, I see him and raise him. Challenge accepted, little guy. I now do 35 minute strength training workouts, sometimes on my own, sometimes for his entertainment! He has his own set of toy weights to play with, (kettlebells and dumbbells) and even a toy protein shake (thanks to my clients Kate and Michelle!). I go for 30 minute runs, (that’s an even exchange with a nap so that one’s easy). I’ve nixed the yoga for now, but, let’s face it, 4 workouts a week with a 4 month old isn’t bad.

My point is, whatever life is throwing at you, whatever changes you’re adjusting to, ADAPT. Don’t become a victim to the craziness. You can make adjustments for the things that are important to you. No one’s too busy to find time to work out. You might just have to abandon your “ideal” for a blip. Consider this a good time to try something new. Shift your perspective. Change is good (at least that’s what my parents taught me). I know I’ll get back to hour long workouts, at some point, but in the meantime I’m choosing to roll with it. The flexibility is a good challenge for me mentally. All or nothing mindsets don’t have a place in fitness. It’s better to move some, than not at all. For the sake of your (and my) health, longevity and mental and physical wellbeing. Onward!