Will I ever get back to "normal"?

[diana_of_the_dunes]

For those of you that have had babies before... How long did it take your ab muscles to feel normal-ish again? I'm 5.5 weeks PP, so I realize it's still early. But I have to go back to work in 6 weeks, so I'm getting a little nervous about not being in halfway decent shape by then. I've been doing some light abdominal exercises, and everything felt okay. Weak, but okay. Then today I tried doing some "girl" push-ups, and on the 5th one I felt a sharp pain in my abs that clearly meant I was overdoing things.

I used to be in really good shape, so I'm finding this adjustment really difficult. I feel very weak and pathetic, and I'm frustrated with my body's inability to perform what used to be simple exercises. I know 5 weeks isn't very long to heal 9 months worth of stretched out abs and unused muscles, so I'm trying to be patient with myself...

[Julia24]

That's just it. You have to have patiences. You'll get there. In fact, I know lots of women who are in BETTER shape after babies than they were before (I, however, am NOT one of those )

And 6 weeks isn't some arbitrary number, it takes your body time to just heal from the birthing experience...not to even speak of the pregnancy. Only those in extremely good shape should be doing any 'real' exercises before that 6 week mark. (you know - the ones who were TEACHING yoga until just a couple weeks before birth - or running that long, etc.)

You'll get there. Just do what you can do - and every day you'll be able to do more

[Dmitrizmom]

I work on the theory of 9 up, 9 down. goes for weight gain/loss, hormone shift, and physical conditioning. Some women bounce back faster, some slower. I figure nature makes us slow down for a good reason - to enjoy our babies and to make us take care of ourselves. That said... I'm trying to get into better shape over the next 6 months as 1. I'd really like to participate in a 5K race next summer (and I've never been a runner) and 2. I'd like to drop 50 lbs by this time next year.

[2boyzmama]

Yes, you can be normal again, but it will take time and work. And possibly more work than you're accustomed to doing. It's easier to STAY in shape than to GET in shape, unfortunately!!

I was in decent shape between Ian and Connor's pregnancies, I could run several miles, do pushups (real ones, too, and 50 at a time), do sit ups, I could nearly max my score on the Air Force's Physical Fitness Test. But it wasn't until after Connor's birth that I got serious about fitness again, and REALLY worked hard. I got myself into a very good fitness level, something I'm looking forward to again!!!

Gavin is 5 weeks tomorrow, and so far I've only done walking, carrying children, and some very light ab work (as in crunches on the bed). Probably sometime next week I'll start adding some lunges, some pelvic exercises, and maybe some ab work on harder surfaces. I won't start running until I get the okay from my OB (I'm somewhat paranoid about the strength of the muscles supporting my pelvic organs, don't want to prolapse!!)

[cymbeline]

FWIW, my tummy muscles never went completely back together. And trust me, I worked it. I ran a marathon after number two and trained my core aggressively and there was still a finger's width between the two sides right down my middle.

I will also say that I never bothered during breastfeeding. The estrogen impedes muscle build up, so you have to work twice as hard, which is exhausting, and then you risk getting sick. I pushed myself too hard after #1 and got mastitis. MASTITIS SUCKS.

So, give yourself plenty of time and rest, and hopefully your stomach muscles will do better than mine!!

[2boyzmama]

I signed up for Team In Training to run a half marathon in May, so 6 months from now I'll be running 13.1 miles

That's my motivation to work hard, I have an entire team behind me, a goal to not just finish the race, but run every step of it (I'll come up with a finish time goal about a month or so before the race, my first goal is just to get my mileage up so I can run 13 miles!!)

Team In Training is free, look for something like that in your area if you want someone to help you with whatever your goal is!!

[darcytrue]

This is my third and I was in better shape after both of my first two after having them than I was before. I hope to get back that way. It took some time before, about a year or two both times. At this point I don't feel like putting forth the effort to lose weight. Plus, getting less sleep at night makes me a lot more hungry the next day for some reason.

[kismetbaby]

Sorry to hijack, but I am too embarrassed to start my own thread about this. . .but I am way more worried about "down there" than I am about my abs.

I feel, well, bigger. And I am having some issues with um, taking in air. I have never had this problem before. Its driving me crazy. Will kegels really save me?

[2boyzmama]

Originally Posted by kismetbaby

Sorry to hijack, but I am too embarrassed to start my own thread about this. . .but I am way more worried about "down there" than I am about my abs.

I feel, well, bigger. And I am having some issues with um, taking in air. I have never had this problem before. Its driving me crazy. Will kegels really save me?

SO AM I!!!!! And it's a weird feeling!

I might start a thread, because I also have cervix questions.

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Originally Posted by kismetbaby

Sorry to hijack, but I am too embarrassed to start my own thread about this. . .but I am way more worried about "down there" than I am about my abs.

I feel, well, bigger. And I am having some issues with um, taking in air. I have never had this problem before. Its driving me crazy. Will kegels really save me?

Uh, yeah... I don't think I'll ever be the same in that area. I tore (2nd degree I think) and ever since the repairs, my lips are smaller and seem like they're farther back. I can't comment on anything else, since I'm still too chicken to dtd.

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

Yes, you can be normal again, but it will take time and work. And possibly more work than you're accustomed to doing. It's easier to STAY in shape than to GET in shape, unfortunately!!

I think that's my problem. I never really had to *get* into shape. I was an active kid, ran and worked out in college, then went to the police academy and got my arse run off. By the time I was done, I had like 16% body fat and could pound out more push-ups than a lot of guys I know. I was never a big distance runner, but I could go 2-3 miles without killing myself. I built up so gradually that it never felt like I was trying to "get into shape", ya know? And I didn't think it was all that great, until now, when I can't do it anymore!!

Patience is a virtue.... *sigh*