Where Did My Abs Go?

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When preparing for motherhood, there are many things that people do not tell you. I felt so prepared to take care of my baby when she arrived–I had taken classes, read too many books, and spent too much time researching anything baby related. However, I could not have anticipated what was going to happen to my body after birth. Of course I knew many things would change and never be the same again. However, as I said, the things people tell you or try to prepare you for are only surface level warnings. 

After having my daughter, I knew it would be difficult to get back into shape. I continued to stay positive and motivated. I promised myself that once I adjusted to motherhood and didn’t feel like a walking zombie, I would get back to the gym. Finally, 7 weeks later, I did just that. 

Anytime you start to work out with a trainer, they do an evaluation of what you can do as a baseline. My trainer, in particular, measured how many squats, push ups, sit ups, and rows I could do within an allotted amount of time. I was feeling pretty good about myself when we first started. I didn’t feel as out of shape or tired as I thought I would. But wait. I hadn’t done my sit ups yet. I needed to do as many sit ups as I could within 1 minute. Little did I know what was about to happen next. As I laid on the mat and tried to lift my body up to my knees, I couldn’t do it. I thought, “Maybe it’s just the first one, I didn’t get enough momentum.” No. That was not the case at all. I kept trying and could not get those abs to work for the life of me. Finally, I looked at my trainer and said, “where did my abs go?” She laughed it off and said how common this is after being pregnant and childbirth. She accommodated the sit up for me and I was able to get in a lot more, even though it was a cheating sit-up. I didn’t have a 6 pack to begin with, but I like to think my core muscles were one of my stronger ones. 

Over the next several weeks, I made a significant effort to work extra hard on those muscles. When it was our monthly evaluation to do the fitness test again I was determined to beat my sit up goal. Don’t forget, it was a 1. All I had to do was get to 2. Well, I beat my goal, by a long shot. WOO HOO! To say I was excited was an understatement. 

Being a mom is 110% worth it, no matter what changes or pain us moms have to endure. Getting our bodies back is hard work. In no way am I at that point yet, but I’ve started and I’m trying. I don’t care if I have a 2, 4, or 6 pack. I have a beautiful healthy babe and that’s all I can ever ask for. 

1 COMMENT

  1. Love this post and love you and that little babe of yours! You are the best momma around. Can’t wait to see more posts from you.

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