Dear Mama

Wednesday, July 15, 2020 · Jenn Miller

Dear Mama,

Yes you, the one with that has an 8 week old, 8 month old or 8 year old. The one who thought their 9 minute mile would come back on their first run postpartum, the one who thought they would be able to get through their whole Crossfit workout that first week without stopping, the one who thought they would never pee a little while working out.

Postpartum refers to after the baby, it doesn't matter how long has passed since you had that sweet little. It doesn't matter if you had a natural birth or a c-section. Things will not be the same after. They just wont. It doesn't matter how hard you try, your body has changed due to something miraculous.

Be proud of that. Be proud and know that you are not alone.

Her belly is just as jiggly.

Her boobs are just as sore.

Her mind is just as foggy thinking about all the mom things.

Her mama guilt is just as strong thinking about how she feels like she should be home.

Her body doesn't feel the same.

You will get that 9 minute mile back, one day. You will get through the whole workout without stopping, one day. You will feel less jiggly, one day. It takes time, work and a little kindness towards yourself.

This is more likely what that first run or workout will look like... you jump out the door eager to be "back" you feel good at first, but tire quickly. You look down at your watch and see 10:35 on your watch and think how am I possibly running at 10:35 pace, you try to pick it up and then you start thinking everything feels jiggly, you think you might have to pee, but it can't be possible because you went 5 minutes ago, then you look at your watch again and realize you haven't made it half a mile and you have to stop to walk.

Guess what? IT'S OKAY. No one bounces back on day 1, you got this mama, just start. Each day start again and then one day you will be working out, you will finish and think wow, it isn't so bad anymore.

Love,

A fellow 9 week postpartum mama