Moving on from baby-gate 2019, I have decided that I would dip my toes back in and start blogging about my postpartum experiences with fitness. I wish I had blogged more as I was going through postpartum but like I said, the craziness that was my life didn't allow much breathing room let alone setting aside time to really think. To sum up these last twelve months, I have noticed that my body took it's sweet time and took exactly twelve months to start to feel normal again. This could be my age talking here (34 pregnant/35 delivery). It amazes me that some women are ready to start trying for another baby two weeks after having one. Who are you and WHAT kind of crazy hormones are you producing? I would have loved to have felt like my body bounced back that quickly but the reality was, it was no longer my body - it was the baby's as much as it was when he was on the inside as it was when he came out. I was his nutritional, comfort, and life support. To an extent, I still am. I'm still breastfeeding at twelve months postpartum. Anyone who has breastfed can tell you that you are literally eating for two. It's so important you eat and eat well. As my little one starts to wean, I am still eating a higher caloric intake. This is an adjustment I am going to have to focus on making so I don't fall into weight issues that can be harmful to my health.
To combat my higher caloric intake while breastfeeding and starting the weaning process, I've recently gotten back into increasing my physical activity. One of the things I have started back with is using my DeskCycle at work. I was unable to use it in my later stages of pregnancy because my belly prevented me from comfortably cycling at my desk. I've written several blogs about the DeskCycle. See DeskCycle for Your Sedentary Work Day and DeskCycle One Year Update. I'm happy to report that this thing is amazing and all these years later I am still using it. I'd forgotten all the feel good benefits I experienced while using my DeskCycle until I started using it again. In my opinion, this thing is HIGHLY recommended.
Another fun fitness tool I recently incorporated into my fitness routine is a FeetUp Yoga Trainer. It's a solid wooden chair/bench looking contraption that has a padded seat. Except it's best used for yoga stands or inversions. The FeetUp yoga trainer has been an amazing addition to my fitness routine. I love using it for stretching and of course for it's intended purpose of getting upside down. I have been using this for my cool down stretching flows after pole, circuit training, and barre workouts. In addition to cool down sessions, I have also found the FeetUp to be amazing for core work. I'm still playing around with how I intend to use it and have been doing quite a bit of research for ideas on different exercises I can do with it. I'm hoping to dedicate a future blog post to this.
I also recently re-subscribed to the Pure Barre On Demand so I can get back into doing barre workouts at home. I know there are some barre fitness workouts online that can be accessed for free but since I am familiar with Pure Barre On Demand (recently changed to Pure Barre GO for re-branding), I decided to give their program another GO (totally unintentional pun 😂). I wrote a detailed blog about Pure Barre On Demand back in May of 2018. A lot of the content is the same. The most recent content is from November 2019 which I have seen many people complain about online. There is however, A LOT of content. I feel like for me it would take me a long time to get through all the content. It's not that big of a deal to me but for some, it has been a deal breaker. One thing that has changed since my last subscription is every once in awhile they will post a month and the week with daily workout videos you can do for that week. I like this concept as it gives me a plan to work from. It hasn't been consistent though and I wonder if this is a feature they are trying to work out kinks as they transition into their new brand of Pure Barre GO. One thing I have been doing is during some down time I like to watch the video I plan on doing the day or night before. It gives me a chance to focus on form of specific exercises so when I go to do the workout I will know what to expect. This may be just something I do as I get back into the Pure Bare world and after awhile I may not do this anymore but for now, I find this to be helpful.
So those are a few things I have been doing off the pole for fitness. On the pole I have found that my brain thinks I can still do things the way I used to but my body is where the reality check really happens. I'm working on grip with my legs, inversions, and endurance. All things that have seemingly gone away. I have been wearing my Cleo's Rockin Pole grippy leggings A LOT. I also recently purchased a new pair of ballet slippers in bright red. In addition to working on strength on the pole, I have revisited some of my former Pole Harmony studio routines. I'm currently working on the Beginner Pole Routine I used to teach. It's been fun to get back into pole and dancing. I'm hoping that if I am able to have another child that I can continue to maintain my fitness through another pregnancy. One thing I learned from going through my first pregnancy is to listen to my body and take it easy when I need to both physically and mentally. That time heals and working at my own pace is what is best for me.
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