#operationslaythebabybod
I was just given the all clear to exercise again. It’s been six weeks since the birth of our sweet little Grover Douglas (obligatory photo included, of course!) and it has been more than 12 weeks since I was put on exercise restriction due to pregnancy complications. That is almost 100 days!
Needless to say, I practically hugged my doctor when I was cleared to get my behind back to moving and grooving!I chose to start my fitness journey back at Ascend with a new format class, Kat’s 30/30.Kat has been super helpful with tips and tricks and keeping me safe with modifications through my pregnancy. Not only does she provide an amazing level of individual attention to protect me from injuries, she really supported me, which made me push harder. She is an inspiration herself: two kids, business owner, in bad-ass shape...and she couldn’t be a nicer person. So obviously, I knew that starting #operationslaythebabybod I was in great hands with her.I put my big girl pants on, quite literally, and got to class 15 minutes early. I knew the class was sold out, and I didn’t want to dilly-dally getting on my bike. I immediately ran into a friendly face and confessed it was my first workout class since April. More women of all shapes and sizes were pouring in, and all who overheard my confession nodded to me supportively. I didn’t feel judged or like I owed anyone an explanation, just encouragement that I CAN DO THIS.I put on my new shoe size for the bike. Yes, it’s true: your feet change after pregnancy. 😩 Kat helped me get reacquainted with my bike -- to be fair, she has added some new bikes since my last ride -- and off we went.This 30/30 class with Kat consists of 30 minutes on the bike and 30 minutes of abs/core downstairs.I ease into pedaling, remembering how to operate while an 80s-reminiscent Bruno Mars song plays in the background. The a 99 Problems Remix by JayZ comes on and I instantly feel energized, finding the beat, picking up the pace, and listening to Kat coach us along. She reminds us to leave it all behind us, whatever you walked in with. With a newborn, new house, and quite frankly a new life, it reminded me to escape it all and push myself to work hard to be my best self.With that, some electronic beats drove me through until the second-to-last song.She lets us know we had two songs to go, and the second-to-last one was a slower climb, followed by Pretty Young Things, which I jammed and rocked out to, truly pushing myself to make this rare, precious alone time worth it.Dripping in sweat, we changed shoes and ran down to the lower level for abs.Thirty more minutes!?! Can I do this?!?We get down on our mats with 30 minutes of what I used to crave when I would go to gym classes. This time my abs were pulled apart and nonexistent so it didn’t go so smoothly, but Kat kept me in the appropriate modifications, encouraging me that I was doing a great job.We all are guilty of looking at one another with envy of something or judging about whatever. While I was doing core exercises next to a young woman who was in the greatest shape and had the tiniest thighs, I reminded myself we are all on our own journey, facing our own struggles, and that the best way to face them is with a smiling, determined face together.This is why I Ascend. Come join me on my journey, Tuesdays at 6:30pm! You’ll also find me at Ascend Underground classes from time to time!