"It took you nine months to put the weight on and it may take you nine months to take it back off," the health care nurse said in my first Baby & You class. My spirits dwindled as I sank back on my seat that had become much larger than I anticipated over the past eleven months.
Having a baby can be such an empowering and profound experience but looking in the mirror at what's left behind and I mean behindisn't't always easy. I attended the prenatal classes, read the books, went for walks and did moderate exercise, but nothing can ever really prepare you for what to really expect from both pregnancy and being a new mom. One thing hadn't't bargained for was the exhaustion. And because I had an unexpectec-sectionon I was told couldn't't do much of anything but hold my baby for the first six weeksDon't't get me wrong, getting out of mopping and vacuuming was a really good thing. But not driving or socializing was enough to leave me feeling a little isolated and unmotivated.
You see, I unrealistically thought I was going to be back into a vigorous exercise routine a few weeks after my baby was born. I thought I would have my energy back and how much work could a new baby really be? Boy was I wrong! Getting back on track was a much bigger challenge than I anticipated. For one thing, I discovered that caring for such a wee one is a full time job. I now know I will probably never get a good night's sleep again! But it is all worth the extra pounds I am working on shedding and I have taken my husband along with me this time. Together witlow-carbcarb diet, I am doing something different everyday so my bwon'ton't get used to any one physical activity and whenever I can bring litDevinevin with me I do. Start them off young I say. (He giggles when I rest him on my tummy while I do sit ups.)
If I can give any advice to other new or soon-to-be moms who want to stay healthy, take full advantage of every resource available to you out there. There are classes (some of them are free) for new moms, groups and activities oriented to help new moms adjust to the wild and wonderful journey they have embarked upon. There will be people out there who have the 'old school' belief that new shouldn'tldn't go out with their new babies, but isolation can be very disheartening for a new mom who has so many questions about her new bundle of joy.
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