The Doctor is In (The Gym): How I, A Physician Mom, Took Back My Health Postpartum
Before having children, my time was my own. I could work out at my convenience at any time. I would always find a way to fit it in.
After having my first child, everything changed. Postpartum Anxiety locked me in a frozen state unable to envision balancing my new role with my former lifestyle habits. When I had my second child I was determined to figure it out. I knew what to do but I did not know how to do it. I needed to coach myself back to fitness. I turned the framework I had been learning in my coaching training on myself. These are the steps I took.
Define your wellness vision. What does wellness for you look like? Get specific. For me being well meant being able to run again. It meant feeling strong and consistently exercising. It meant carving out time for myself.
Connect with an earlier time when you were living well. Identify what it was that made you successful. This was challenging for me. It took me time to realize that although I did not write it down, I had structure to exercising. I consistently carved out time at the same time of day to do it. I had a gym membership. I had an accountability partner: my husband.
In looking at life now. How can you use the tools that you used before to get you closer to your goal? I had to go to physical therapy for Symphysis pubis dysfunction and my physical therapist gave me the prescription of walking daily. At first I scoffed. Then I did it. I handed my husband the baby and went for a walk. Firstly for 10 minutes then 20 minutes then longer. What was different this time? I had a prescription. I had orders, I made time, I took the time for myself.
Identify potential barriers that could cause challenges. Anticipate how you will handle them. I knew that once I was done with physical therapy, I had a good chance of not continuing to exercise because something else would always be more important. I had work-out equipment in the basement. I needed to get out of the house. I thought, and I thought, and started looking for a way to find consistency, accountability. I needed it to feel like an appointment. I was good at keeping those. I came upon Orange Theory Fitness because another physician mom had posted about how it helped her postpartum. I went to my first free class and I committed.
Set a goal for yourself. Make it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic or relevant and time bound. This is where you have to give yourself grace. It is OK to have a small goal, the important thing is creating the space for your wellness. You will discover that the power to make a change was within you all along. If I could do it, so can you.
I started The WoMn clinic to help women achieve healthy lives and balance. If this post resonated with you follow The WoMn Clinic on Facebook or Instagram.
