Postpartum Fitness & Nutrition Blog

The Top 7 Most Loved Posts of 2018

This time of year you tend to look back and think about all the things that have happened.

All the things you’ve done.

All the goals you made and checkmated (let’s just pretend that’s a real word 😉 ).

It’s also the typical time to start thinking about the goals you want to nail for the next year.

(And the things you want to stuff in a box and shove far, far under the bed to (hopefully) never think about again!)

I decided to go on a time warp trip myself and see what you loved on the blog in 2018.

These are the most popular posts on the blog this year and I can see why.

Pregnancy and postpartum fitness and wellness is full of so many questions – and so many different opinions about what the answers to those questions should be.

So I’m hopeful that these posts (and all the others) gave you some hope, inspiration and courage to keep going and maybe even try something new if what you’ve been doing just isn’t working or not making you happier.

Before we dive in I need to get a little mushy.

Thank you so much for being a part of the Jenna Dalton Fitness 2018 experience.

Your likes, comments, shares and emails have been incredibly kind, insightful and honestly kept me going when I wondered if starting a business with a toddler (and now another tiny human) was really the right choice for our little family.

And after all the hard work, stress and joy in business this year, I’ve come to the conclusion that yes. It sure is.

I love what I do and I’m so appreciative that your support allows me to keep going.

Thank you!

Now let’s check out those posts, shall we?

How I’m Healing My Diastasis After Baby #2

Diastasis

It sure feels like everywhere you look someone’s talking about diastasis recti.

And with so much information out there it can feel overwhelming and anxiety-boosting.

There are so many ideas on…

What to do.

What not to do.

What “healed” even means.

How to even check it or assess it in the first place.

The truth is that diastasis is a very normal, natural part of pregnancy and could actually be protective of your pelvic floor (maybe even helping prevent other issues like pelvic organ prolapse).

It’s honestly not something to freak out about – unless it’s not healing well (you’ve got a deep, big gap beyond 2ish finger-widths and your linea alba isn’t responding well to be challenged – more on that here) or it’s impacting your life/exercise life in some way.

But I get that there’s so much (scary) information out there about diastasis (and how “ruined” your body is) that you’re wondering what you can do to help ensure your abs heal, and heal well.

So I thought it would be helpful to share what I’ve been doing post-baby #2 to help my own core and pelvic floor recover.

8 Essentials I’m Packing in My Hospital Bag (That Weren’t There The First Time)

You know how you can get a lot of great suggestions and tips by Googling and asking friends and family, but there’s nothing like going through an experience yourself to really understand and appreciate what it’s all about?

I remember Googling what to pack in my hospital bag for my first baby and I ended up being pretty well prepared.

But now that I’m about to become a second time mom – and I’m coming into this with a lot more research under my belt – my hospital bag has some essential extras that weren’t in there the first time.

Of course I have the diapers, comfy pants, a sweet playlist, my phone charger…

But beyond that I’ve added some simple additions that I have a feeling will make my labour and postpartum experience different than the last time. Good different.

And I wanted to share what I’m bringing with you because I have a feeling these could end up making your labour and postpartum experience in the hospital (or home if you’re opting for a home birth) as positive an experience as possible, too.

Here’s what I’m adding to my bag.

P.S. Most of these things go beyond the labour and delivery and will be super helpful in those early postpartum days where my body (and yours) needs all the healing help it can get!

“Help! My Diastasis Isn’t Healing!” Don’t Forget to Try This.

Healing Your Diastasis

You’ve been doing all the “how to fix diastasis” exercises.

And avoiding all the “don’t do these” exercises.

You’re working hard. Trying your best.

But you’re still not seeing the progress you’d hoped for.

So what gives?

Why won’t your diastasis just go ahead and heal already?

Well there’s a key piece of the puzzle that a lot of moms don’t even realize is the #1 reason they aren’t getting the results they want.

And if you aren’t implementing this simple strategy on a daily basis, all that hard work could be in vain.

How I’m Getting Ready(ish) For Baby #2

Getting Ready for Baby 2

The first time I did this I had no idea what I was doing.

I had no experience with labour, nursing, changing a 1 day old baby…

It was all new and slightly terrifying.

Now with baby #2 coming in a couple short months I’ve been busy planning and organizing my life (and my family’s life) to get ready.

And it feels good because I have a better idea of what I can possibly expect.

I’m definitely still nervous but also hopeful that my previous experience will serve me well.

Even though I feel like I can’t remember half of the things I knew!

P.S. Do you remember how to swaddle? Ha! I’m realizing I’ve forgotten so much and will probably be on Google asking all kinds of random questions at 2am 😉

What I do know is that I want to be as prepared as possible for this baby so that all our lives will be as happy as possible.

I know there will be hard days and tough times.

But I’m also not dwelling on the horribleness of it all.

I’m not assuming the worst, while also not expecting the best.

I’m neutral. Staying flexible. And doing what I can to ensure I’m not a total stress ball at all times for those first few weeks of newborn craziness.

Here’s what that looks like for me.

How to Stop Caring About Having the Perfect Post-Baby Body

Postpartum Body

I love the body positivity movement.

I love that we’re embracing all shapes and sizes and body types and the extra skin and fat and cellulite.

I love the message “love your body”.

The problem is that it’s so, so much easier said than done.

We’re told to love our bodies – stretch marks and all. Because a miracle happened within the embrace of those stretch marks.

But when you’re living in a society that screams “love your body!” then whispers “but change so that you don’t look like you had a baby” it can be hard to not wish your body looked a certain way.

This can lead to feeling like you’re not good enough and can make your postpartum recovery that much harder because you’re under this insane pressure to “bounce back”.

The good news is there’s hope (as there always is).

And you can get to a place of greater peace with your body.

Here’s how.