Okay. So, I haven't been so great at the working out thing since I had my little Sweet Pea. (really since I became sick soon after I found out about the little muffing cooking inside me) However, I was feeling ambitious a couple of days ago and so I went to the Recreation Center to get on the treadmill.
I was thinking that I would get there, walk for a warm up, walk faster for my workout with little spurts of jogging (1 min. intervals). Oh, was I surprised. I walked for my warm up and then started to increase the speed of the treadmill. I couldn't raise it past 3.0 at any point during the workout. I walked for 20 minutes.
I got off the treadmill and wanted, even though I had FINALLY got to the gym, to cry. I have NEVER in my entire life workout out at that low of a speed. I never ever warmed up that low. I used to start at 3.5 or 4 for a light jog warm up. Even at my fattest, most out of shape time. Never.
This C-section thing really took it's toll on my body. I had no idea. I had been feeling really good. Really wanting to get out and begin my runs again. Dreaming about Running. I now understand the true meaning of "lack of motivation." It's not just the activity, length, or no-one to work out with. It's the feeling of humiliation. The feeling your body gives you of can't. Or even won't. It's hard.
I must not let these feelings, no matter how real, over run the motivation that got me out of the house this week. I NEED to keep going. I will.
4 comments:
Oh man, I can totally relate! My last two babies were c sections and it was no fun. I had really bad complications from my first c section and I was pretty immobile for three months. I'm sorry. I'd cry with you. That really sucks. Keep with it though, even if it is walking. Remember, you just had a major surgery, even if it was a couple months ago. Our recovery from a c section is 10 times worse than a normal delivery. I've done both. I too dream of running. I'm finally up to 45 minutes and my youngest is almost to. Long time in the works. Do you want to be an author of the health blog. There's about 10 people who contribute. I'd love to have you, but if you'd rather read, that's fine to. I'll find you on facebook and we can chat more. Maybe even meet up sometime :)
I hear you. I had to do 6 months of physical therapy and pool therapy just to be allowed to walk into a gym after having 2 c-sections 11 months apart -- and then I thought "Ok, it can't be that bad, right?" And I couldn't do a single machine at higher than 15 lbs. And walking on a treadmill with no incline just about killed me. It was humiliating. I cried and cried in the locker room.
I talked with a friend who is a personal trainer (ok, cried and sobbed. And whined. A lot. Thanks Ellen!), and she recommended that I start back on an elliptical instead of a treadmill. Using an elliptical is low impact, but it works all of your abdominals and supports muscle regrowth more than a treadmill will. She also told me to stop walking with a stroller and start using a baby carried (like a bjorn) instead so I could do arm lifts with wrist weights on my arms while walking. It made a HUGE difference. And if you don't have access to an elliptical, do alternating arm lifts with weights while walking on a treadmill.
Ellen also pointed out that it takes at least 6 weeks to regain 1 lb of muscle. SIX WEEKS! And the average pregnant woman who has a c-section has to repair or regrow 2-5 lbs of muscle. And it's core muscle.
She referred me to the ModernMom YouTube channel. They have tons of videos for post-c-section and post-partum moms to recover muscle. You can do all of the exercises from home. One I found them, I was doing intervals again within 2 months. Check them out! And check out the sidebar for links to other post-c-section core exercises.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XuD1ySzOEE
Hang in there! And talk to She Who Herds Small Boys if you get discouraged. When I was really depressed with my physical therapy, she was so encouraging -- lots of stories about how she survived years of physical therapy and rebuilding strength. She's amazing! And so are you!
oh hon! I am not even sure what to say. I am sorry, I know it sucks! Reading that was a brutal reminder to me of what I face in the near future. only thing is I know that it gets worse with repeated c sections. I finaly could go to the gym and push myself when kelle was 13 months old. I have to say I never tryed after lily so I don't know about that. I am so afriad though, that this time it will be like two years. For that reason I think I am done. I can't keep doing this to my body. And thinking about it stirs feelings of resentment and bitterness about the fact that I can't have babys the normal way. I don't like being angry at my body. wow! sorry to go off. any ways, keep trying, you are amazing.
I was not a runner at all before my last baby (all of mine have been c-sections), but I slowly got myself together and about 1 year after her birth I did my first 5K and it gave me such an amazing sense of accomplishment ... you can do it, be patient with your body. They just sliced through your abs ... if you push to much too fast it takes even longer :)
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