Every Postpartum Journey is different

Moms are expected to bounce back after having a baby. We are often told that the weight will fall off if we breastfeed (which doesn't often happen). Some moms give up on their fitness goals, while others push themselves to the point of depleting their supply. 

After I had my oldest, I only lost five pounds. I wasn't eating healthy or working out. I hated how I looked but did nothing to fix it. When I got pregnant with my second, I became my heaviest weight ever, week after week. I entered that postpartum period determined to make a change. I worked out several days a week and cut out a lot of sugar. I also got blood work done to see where I was lacking. My hard work paid off and I lost all of the baby weight from my second pregnancy and some from my first. 

After I had my third kid, I added in strength training. I didn't get down to my pre-pregnancy weight, but I added a lot of muscle. That muscle made my fourth pregnancy easier, with very few aches and pains. I entered my fourth postpartum period determined to get back to that first pre-pregnancy weight and gain muscle.  

However, I jumped back in too soon. At one week postpartum, I thought I could handle a trip to the store. While there I picked up a small watermelon, and started to feel very sick. When I got home, I immediately laid down. I had to spend the next few days resting and set my healing back quite a bit. 

While it is important to workout and lose the baby weight, it's also important to give our bodies time to heal and rest. The first six weeks are meant for us to heal and recover. There is a lot of pressure to do more and be more for our families, but we need to take care of ourselves. Your rest is just as vital for your health as working out. Resting is not being lazy.

What about breastfeeding? Check this article for breastfeeding tips!