The philosopher Edmund Burke said “Our patience will achieve more than our force.” Never again will this statement hold more truth for you than it does now. You have just achieved a monumental feat and your body needs a minute to heal. This requires time and patience. You cannot force things along faster by brute force—you will only prolong your recovery time.
Depending on your specific pregnancy, delivery, and former fitness level, things can vary considerably. Understand that if you have just had a C-section, you may require more healing time than someone who had an easy, natural delivery. If you have been on bed rest, you may be facing more muscle atrophy and possible weight gain than someone who was playing softball and sprinting around the bases right up until the end.
Regardless, of where you are right now—you can reclaim the former you. However, it is imperative that you let your body heal. That doesn’t mean that you should sit on the sofa for the next several weeks. This is a perfect time to try out that new stroller. It is also a great time to get back on track with diet.
In the interim, do not lose hope. You may not be right where you want to be right now, but rest assured, you skin will continue to tighten over the next several months and things will slowly—but surely—tighten back up. After you get the green light from your doctor or health care provider, you can move on to the next step.
If I was able to achieve my fitness goals after 6 kids–including twins– you can too! I will help you each step of the way.
A note on postpartum depression:
Although it is normal to feel overwhelmed when bringing home a new baby—especially twins or higher order multiples —postpartum depression is a serious condition that goes beyond “baby blues.”
If you are having feelings of hopelessness or extreme sadness and moodiness, than you may be suffering from depression and should seek help.
Call 911 or your doctor if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby!
Kelliann is a mother of six—including 1 year old twin boys. She is a certified fitness trainer, specializing in women’s health.