14 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Do That Mommy Bootcamp

“So when can I go back to CrossFit?”

That was the question I asked my pelvic health physiotherapist within the first 5 minutes of our very first appointment together (back before I was a certified pre- and postnatal fitness specialist and knew better. Thank goodness my doctor suggested I go!).

I was so stuck in the mindset of bouncing back and getting back into my pre-baby workouts that I wasn’t fully comprehending that the reason I was in pelvic floor physio in the first place was because my body wasn’t ready for a short run around the block, let alone a 100+lb barbell back squat.

So yeah.

I get it.

You so badly want to feel like yourself again.

You want to step back into that gym and lift those weights, do those pushups, get those abs.

But the problem is that you may think you’re ready, but you actually may not be.

If you answer yes to any of these questions – yep, even just one measly question – that could be a “Woah Nelly!” sign that you’re dealing with…

• Some core or pelvic floor dysfunction
• Your alignment or breathing strategies aren’t as awesome as we’d like
• Or your body simply needs more rest and recovery before we ask it to do 100 squats with a 15+lb baby strapped to your chest (especially after all those pushups).

So get honest with yourself and take a real good look at how ready your body (and mind) actually is (or maybe isn’t) for that hardcore workout class.

Whether it’s Mommy Bootcamp, CrossFit, running, heavy weightlifting, or another heart racer of choice, this is how you’ll know whether you’re truly ready for it.

1. Have you skipped out on doing any core and floor recovery work and you’re just heading straight into this high intensity, high impact workout before doing any kind of rehab?

2. Did you not go to pelvic health physio because you figure you feel fine (and you’re forgetting that something may be going on down there that you’re just not aware of)?

3. Did you have your baby less than 5 months ago? (Growing and birthing a baby is no joke. And remember, in those 5ish months you’re not doing nothing. You’re building back strength, stability and mobility to be able to handle that deadlift and those burpees. It takes time. But it’s worth it.)

4. Are you so exhausted from lack of sleep that you don’t even want to go but you feel like you should go?

5. Do you leak? Ever. And yes that teeny-tiny bit still counts.

6. Are you getting any pain, pressure or bulging in your pelvis or vagina?

7. Have any hip, back, pelvis, or knee pain? Because, ya know, that could mean you might be dealing with a compromised core or pelvic floor.

8. Do you have a hard time actually listening to your body? For real. As in, you have a tendency to ignore any pain or signs of discomfort in your body and push through so that you can get an A+ on your workout report card? (Hand raised over here! This is definitely something I’ve worked on. Hard. And it’s still something I work on.)

9. Did you have a C-section and forget about the fact that just because the baby didn’t come out of your vagina doesn’t necessarily mean your pelvic floor got spared?

10. Are there a whole lotta crunches, static planks or V-sits involved? (Fun fact: I haven’t done most traditional ab exercises since learning about this).

11. Do you want to do this because you feel pressure to get your body back (not because it genuinely feels good on your body)?

12. When the instructor says “Bring your belly button to your spine” do you have no idea why you don’t actually want to do that?

13. If it’s a babywearing class and I say “Did you know there’s a right way to babywear – especially if you’re exercising?” do you say, “Really?! I had no idea!”

14. Are you doing this – not because you like it – but because you feel like it’s the fastest way to bounce back and fit into your pre-baby jeans?

Did you answer yes to one? Three? All?

You may be bummed out because you’re thinking, “Does this mean I can’t do {insert that hardcore exercise-y thing you were planning on doing}? I’ll never get my body back!”

I hear you.

It’s real tough when you’re surrounded by images of how you supposedly should look a couple months after having a baby. Or ever.

You feel pressure to drop the lbs. Lose the “flab”. Look like you never even had a baby.

But let me remind you that there’s no rush.

If you want to look a certain way, it’s your body. You get to call the shots and you can take the steps you need to take to make that happen.

But it doesn’t need to happen overnight.

Remember, this is a small – tiny – portion of time that you’re taking to rest, recover, rehab and come back feeling like your (strong) self because you had patience and did what you needed to do.

The more patient you are now, the better recovery you’ll likely have in the long run.

The more rushed you are now, the more likely you’ll fall into the get injured, rehab, repeat cycle.

So take the time. Make the appointments with a pro. Do the recovery work. And give yourself the hall pass to not fit into your skinny jeans yesterday.

If you answered yes – to even just one question – remind yourself that, if this were your child and someone was giving them advice, and you knew that that advice was their best option, you’d encourage them to take it, right?

You’d tell them that if they wanted to feel as good as possible that this seems like the best way to go about it, right?

You deserve this just as much as your kid would.

So turn that “When can I go back to _________ ?” question around into, “When will my body be ready to do ___________? And how will I know?” and you, my friend will be well in your way to a core and floor that thanks you for having the patience and doing the things so that you feel strong, and pain/symptom-free for years to come.

Yes. This isn’t easy. But man is it worth it.

Hugs,

Jen

P.S. Is this one of those ones that you feel like you should send to your friend? Please do! Thank you 🙂