Having a baby doesn‘t only cause major changes to your body, it also impacts your daily routine. Some of the biggest challenges for new Moms include lack of sleep, lack of time and lack of a consistent schedule. When Freeletics Ambassador Jenny Bix had her baby in September 2016, she was confronted with all of these challenges. But did she let this stop her? Absolutely not. This is her story.
As a Freeletics Ambassador, training has become an integral part of my lifestyle and daily routine. However, during my pregnancy, I made the difficult decision to take a break from my regular training, because I didn‘t know if many of the exercises would be safe for the fetus. While my physician allowed me to continue with certain low-impact exercises to maintain my fitness, I made the decision to wait until after I had given birth before returning to training. I sure had my work cut out for me to get back to my pre-baby fitness level, but I was happy to accept the challenge.
Ten weeks after having my baby, I started with post-pregnancy fitness classes. I practiced yoga to build up my muscles and strengthen my core and after 4 months, I was back to doing Freeletics. Of course, I waited for the go-ahead from my physician before battling the Gods again, and many of the exercises I did were modified, but it was a start. Now, I‘m taking each day at a time and listening carefully to my body before I decide how hard to push myself.
For me, motivation was never a problem. Before my pregnancy I was always extremely motivated to be the greatest version of myself, and although my intensive training was temporarily put on hold, I was still just as motivated to train after giving birth. I really wanted to get back to my pre-baby fitness level because my body underwent so many changes during the pregnancy. I also wanted to do something good for myself. Being a first time mom can be stressful and exhausting at times, and that’s why I think it’s even more important to do something to balance it all out.
Even though I was very motivated, I also faced some challenges getting back to my training. For me, the biggest challenge was (and still is) lack of time. I still plan my workouts and exercises, but it’s not as easy as it used to be. A typical day with a baby is hard to plan because there‘s no pattern, but Freeletics training is perfect for me because it allows me to train anywhere, anytime, and is flexible enough to suit my needs. I usually try to do my workouts either when my baby is sleeping, or when I’m outside for a walk, but this changes each day. I think the key here is to be adaptable, and just use the time you have as best and efficiently as possible.
The most important thing to remember as a new Mom is to give yourself time to get back to where you were. Don‘t try to compare yourself to your old PBs, but rather create space for the new you! Invest in yourself and be the woman who decided to go for it.
Remember to always consult your doctor before continuing with your training during and after pregnancy.
