Here I am again, typing with one hand and
gvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvjnmmmmm bjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj fgggggggggggggg hkkkkkkkkkk khhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
oops, sorry… that was my face smacking against the keyboard. It turns out our good little sleeper was on hiatus last night, so I didn’t get my usual long stretches. I knew it was bound to happen. C’est la vie!
It’s hard to stay upset for long, though, I mean c’mon, this just warms my heart:
That’s what Hailey wore on our outing on Saturday. We took a family trip to Davidson and hit up Summit Coffee.
It’s an adorable coffee shop that specializes in sustainable coffees and teas. It was my first time there and it was packed! The line moved quickly, though, and soon enough I had my decaf latte and blueberry scone in hand- delicious!
Once we had our goodies, we strolled through the farmers market…
and admired all the apples and squashes that have begun to arrive, along with the beautiful flowers!
Anyone know what those green balls are called? They sure are cool looking!
We also strolled through downtown and Davidson’s campus.
It may sound like a lot of strolling, but it was less than an hour of gentle walking, which brings me to my point…
I’m glad I set (what I considered to be) low goals for my post baby body. Deep down I had hoped to overachieve and be going on long walks by now, but the truth is that my body is still healing. Mentally I’m ready to get out there and tackle wogging, weights and cooler weather, but physically, I’m not there yet.
When I’m up walking for more than I should be, I pay for it later. It’s nothing awful, but I’m more sore ‘down there’ and trust me, it doesn’t feel good.
So my plan is to just stick with my plan, meaning that for the next 1-2 weeks I’ll still take it easy and incorporate more movement as I’m able. I’d like to stick with my mini-walks, but it seems that my long power walks will have to wait.
It’s pretty frustrating to mentally want to get out there, but have to listen to my body instead. I need to stop poking my thighs that are begging to be toned and jiggling my belly that longs for planks. I know I’ll be getting back to it as soon as I can, and until then, I know my left arm is more toned than ever- thanks to the 8 lb 5 oz adorable weight I carry around with me all day 
Did you ever have to take it easy when you were overanxious to push yourself?
What helped you remember to go slowly?
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Sitting on a bag of frozen peas helps with the pain. I tore pretty badly with my son too. Mini walks are better than nothing! You’ll be feeling better soon!
When I had an injury I kept reminding myself that patience now would mean I could run better down the road.
Maybe you can do some weight lifting instead? Or plyometrics?
Your baby is SO frickin’ cute!!! [So are mama and papa
]
Do not even worry about your body. I know I’d probably be eager to get back into “fightin’ shape” too, but from an ‘outsider’ perspective, you have just created this incredible human being, and for that you can have a little break.
Right?
I was exact same way it sucks but in the long run its so worth it! I over did it even after the go ahead and paid for it later! Just look back at your pictures … Your body deserves the easy going break!
I am glad that you are taking it easy post birth. It is important to let your body heal properly. Pushing out a baby is no game and should not be taken lightly. So glad that you are giving your body time.
I can totally understand how your mental space does not match up with the physical! Right now I am sick but I also have my first ever race on the weekend and it is killing me to not be able to train in my last week!!! Oh well though. Take it easy brittany! You have so much time to ease back into it, and pain is no fun
That outfit is beyond cute! I’ve struggled with the mind vs. body battle many times when I’m injured. You just want to get out there and move and yet if you do, your body makes you pay for it. It’s tough but you’ll be out there soon! Take it easy for now
I know I’m going to struggle with those same thoughts. I am planning on telling myself “9 months up, 9 months down”. I am already dying for faster + longer runs/walks, but I still have no idea how I’ll feel, and as much as I want to be out there running after 2 weeks, I might just end up with a C-section and have to wait 6 weeks before doing anything!
You still look great and take advantage of that cute 8 pound baby! I’m sure she’s a great workout partner!
Davidson!!! Looks like the perfect morning!
brittany – i think you’re doing the right thing by listening to your body. you will be feeling strong and back at it before you know it. i’ve heard that new moms get some great arm toning in by carrying their babies all the time…my sister in law even got tennis elbow from it. crazy! make sure to switch arms so you don’t have just one super strong/muscular arm!
This is true – my third baby was a big boy and he wanted to be carried most of his first year. Consequently my arms are in the best shape of my life and I’m able to do 33 full push ups from my toes without stopping. Before having him I could only manage a couple. He is now nearly 2 and still likes being carried! Bless his gorgeous heart.
Ahh she is so cute!
Thank you for being so honest about recovery from childbirth! I know I’ll struggle to not run too, but what can you really do if your body is not up for it yet? I hope these next few weeks go quickly and you’re working out again in no time
I can only imagine that I’d be feeling the same way and anxious, but honestly, it’s so not important right now. You know you’ll get back to it (it’s not like you’re one of those people that will likely slack off) and right now, it’s important that you spend every moment letting your body rest and staring at this beautiful little girl. In all the years you will exercise in your life, what’s 6 weeks? Look at it that way!
I’ve never really been in a situation where I couldn’t or shouldn’t work out, but I can imagine how frustrating it must be. Your progress will come and if it happens to be at a slower rate than you anticipated, then even better: it’ll be easier to keep it off.
My of my, she’s a cute one
Ohhh….I hate those nights. Aren’t they so much harder after you get used to the longer stretches? Ugh.
And I remember after M it took me a long time to feel up to activity. I think I was faster after B because my body had been through it before. Who knows? All that to say – you are doing GREAT!
Looook at that precious girl with her little hat! I love it.
What you’ve just done is pretty amazing so I agree that it’s wise to let your body heal before amping up your workouts. You will be back in no time!!
You look so great…and that picture is adorable. I just want to pinch her cheeks!
I would be amazed if you had the energy to focus on anything but that little girl
Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time for exercise later.
I’ve got to be honest…I read your question about the green balls as I was looking at the picture below it…you wearing a green shirt… and I wondered if it was some sort of joke at first!!
hahaha!
Sounds like a fun weekend and great to hear how self aware you are with how much you can push yourself right now. She is so stinkin’ adorable!
I think all that matters is that you want to be active. That way, when you can, you will! You deserve a break, anyway.
I am going through the same thing right now…2 weeks postpartum and itching to get back to it, but telling myself my real job right now is doing everything I can for this little girl. I am going to ease back in with a few walks this week and see how that goes…but I totally know the feeling of wanting to be able to just bounce back and be out there running and lifting weights!
She is such a doll! Sounds like she just “woke up” and realized she’s stuck out here. We went through the same thing at bout this time. We also went through a growth spurt at the beginning of week 3. I now sympathize with dairy cows lol!
I saw on twitter that it’s cold there. Carters is doing BOGO on their PJs. We have a bunch of the fleece ones for B Jr and they are so warm and cozy. Hope all is well
Hi Brittany. Awww…Hailey is soooo cute. Yay you for listening to your body and taking it easy until you are ready to tackle some increased exercise!!! Take care!!
I didn’t listen to the 6 week advice and did way too much…I ended up having a blood clot (thank God I was in the shower when it came out)..I thought I was dying. After that, I took my doctors advice and took it easy. Take advantage of this time to take it easy…there are not too many times in life when you have the excuse!
Your daughter is beautiful…congratulations!
after my c-section I felt great and really wanted to get back to doing more activity. It took a lot of strength just to stop and wait. I didn’t want to injure myself more by doing more than I should, so I waited the 6 weeks, and had no injuries when I started moving and grooving after that so I’m glad I waited
OHHH MY GOSH that pic is adorable. I love it! While it may be hard you have to listen to your body before you begin intense workouts again. I have seen way to many injuries (working as a PT) from women who try to get back into shape instantly. Kudos to you for taking it slow!
I hope she sleeps better for you tonight!!! She really is super duper cute
All 3 of my kids were born c-section style and with my youngest, I was mentally ready to get up and go about a week later, but physically couldn’t do much of anything!
While not comparable to childbirth, I was sidelined when I trained for my first half. I had to take 6 weeks off of running as I couldn’t walk without limping, but eventually, I met my goal. It wasn’t when I’d planned, but life happens.
I think your 6 weeks off can be a great thing, it is more time to get into a new routine and enjoy bonding time with your daughter. And as much as you might want to nitpick your body, that’s the body that made it possible to bring her into the world – and that’s awesome!
Brittany, one of these days I’m going to find you at the Davidson farmers market (in a non stalker-ish kind of way) and introduce myself! I go there quite a bit but have never seen you!
Hailey looks angelic =)
You don’t hear much of people regretting taking it easy for the first few weeks. You do hear people regret pushing themselves.
I know it may not seem like it while you’re in the thick of it, but these first few weeks of motherhood are such a short blip of time and you’ll be back to feeling like yourself very soon.
I totally remember being frustrated when I wasn’t able to do long walks after Ella was born. You’ll be there in no time!
I, for one, love your approach to your post-baby body. And I think you look great!
Beautiful baby, congratulations.
Random question, but what kind of stroller do you have? I’m pregnant and stroller researching, and yours looks like a good one.
Good luck getting your body back to normal, you look amazing, and although I haven’t been through childbirth/post-baby stuff yet, I’m sure that you will be back to your exercise routine again soon.
I had a c-section, so had to wait 8 weeks- UGH! I had a hard time, but just kept telling myself that this is the one time in my life when it is necessary to take it easy, so tried to enjoy it. I did plenty of walking around, but once I finally got to run I did a 5K and felt like deer bounding through the woods! Haha!
Love the quaint little Davidson Farmers Market! The people are always so wonderful- I always find it hard to stray from the fresh slower bouquets- so pretty!
I was anxious to get back to my regular workouts post baby, and so I started low impact aerobics and weights 3 weeks after. My body was healing but I knew that it wasn’t fully ready, but still pushed myself because it was so hard for me to not be working out (I worked out up until the day before I delivered). I paid for jumping the gun on exercising – the soreness down there and the post partum bleeding increased. I then decided to take it easy and wait for the 6 week mark to resume my regular exerise routine.
I’m glad I did because my body needed it. Once the 6 week mark passed, I started working out again and was able to resume my regular workout levels shortly after.
Looking back, I should have been more patient with my body and just let it do it’s thing.