8 months postpartum.
I can’t believe on Tuesday it will be 8 months since I had Easton. Lying in the hospital bed I envisioned this. I knew that the pain, tears, struggle would all be worth it and eventually the hurt would become a part of the triumph.
My identity has always been interwoven with being an athlete. When I imagined pregnancy, I imagined being one of those insanely fit and petite pregnant ladies with the cutest little bump who was back to the gym a few days postpartum. Unfortunately that was far from my reality. After a very difficult pregnancy, labor and delivery, and c section, it would take 14 weeks postpartum before I could start running again. In those 9 months of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum I did not recognize myself. The body I had spent over a decade building - gone. The hours of training - gone. I felt lost and discouraged … but I committed to the small things. The controllables. To consistency and showing up for myself. I couldn’t run, but I could walk. I could count my macros. I could eat nutrient dense foods. I could listen to podcasts and follow encouraging people. I made the decision to commit. I don’t drink alcohol. I haven’t had a single cheat, sweet, or eaten over my macros once postpartum. I wake up at 4 am every day. I meal prep and eat the same boring foods. I do the mundane and I do it consistently. And it’s worth it.
At 8 months postpartum I have ran multiple half marathons, trail runs, and races. I’m back to lifting and doing CrossFit. I’m running mileage I couldn’t have ever fathomed a few months ago. I have plans to set not just pp PRs but lifetime PRs. It’s not genetics. It’s not talent or skill. It’s not luck. It’s consistency. It’s choosing hard. It’s doing the work. I want to show people that whatever setback or obstacle comes your way, you can overcome it and grow so much during the process. I am a stronger athlete but more importantly a stronger person since motherhood. I have to be more disciplined but I welcome the challenge.
Whether it’s motherhood, career change, new life goals, whatever - embrace the new challenges and the opportunity to grow. We do hard things.
#GoOneMore #ProveYourselfRight