Strong like a mother

Coach D and her mama

It’s almost Mother’s Day and I know this can be a tough holiday for some, if that’s you please feel free to scroll onward. Many have lost their mother, unable or do not desire to become mothers or struggle with the relationship with their mother - if this is you, please know I mean no harm in the post below.

Motherhood - Something I have yet to experience. I know what you are thinking, “D, if you’re not a mother then why are you writing a blog post on motherhood?” Good point. I may not have kids of my own but the moms in my life that do have kids have taught me so much, that when I do [hopefully] have the chance for children I feel like I’ve got a serious leg up.

Over the past few years Many of my clients were in their late 20’s and early 30’s and were starting to have children. I began to research more, take certifications on pre and postpartum because that’s what I was supposed to do. But I didn’t truly get it until my friends started having kids. They started to share with me their questions that they were too embarrassed to asked their doctors or ask for second opinion after their doctor told them something (so much outdated information and not nearly enough time here to address that). I began to get curious especially about running. How does carrying a baby impact you? What about after the baby is here, what if you didn’t deliver but adopted what would that stress look like? I went down many deep rabbit holes and found myself becoming a resource for my clients. Time to get serious about this.

I took my education to the next level and added a Pregnancy and PostPartum Athleticism Course to my certifications. A course that went way past do this not that, a course that gave medical me a medical tour of the process plus actionable exercise protocols and adjustments to use on my clients. I found that I was able to guide women not just through the physical side of their transformation into motherhood but also their “athlete brain”. Seeing my clients go week to week, remaining strong and maintaining confidence in their ever changing bodies was empowering. Coaching them through their new postpartum body and seeing them resist the urge to “bounce back” while they simply enjoyed their movement and bonding with their baby. Watching them evolve into a new athlete as they navigate the toddler years and learn to be adaptable & flexible. It isn’t about bouncing back, it’s about carving a new way forward.

So what does it mean to be Strong like a Mother?

Be flexible

You are super. You are a woman. But you can’t always be superwoman. Our bodies need to be flexible with the schedule. If you’ve been up all night with a screaming baby, it probably isn’t in your best interest to power through a run or strength session because it’s on the schedule. A nap is probably a better “workout”.

It’s a season

I have many mom clients that have littles that must find joy in bringing home every germ from daycare for their mom to sample. Remind yourself it is a season. It sucks sometimes. But this too shall pass. Take a deep breath and focus on the parts you can control. Balance nutrition, hydration and stress management can go a long way.

They see you

Your kids mirror you, whether you like it or not. I see it all the time with my clients kids mimicking what they see their parents doing. Are you using your mini bands to do your warm ups? Take a look at your little, you just might find them with a headband around their legs imitating you. Help the develop a positive relationship with exercise - moving their bodies because it feels good! They see you.

Have fun!

Sign up for that 5K with donuts at the finish, who cares what your finishing time was because you pushed the stroller the whole time. Go for a 1 mile run with your little and record it on your watch so they can see “their” time (who cares what Strava has to say, and no don’t put a description with an “excuse” to the pace).

Taking care of you will allow you to be a more present mom. I’ve seen it first hand with my clients - and first hand with my mom. At 63 years young she started Crossfit at age 60, started running at age 50 and has run 15+ half marathons with no plans on stopping anytime soon. Your little sees you, they love you. Take care of you.