We interrupt this programming to bring you the cutest pic of babies and beautiful mommies you have ever seen!!! Love these amazing women from my Mommy & Me Barre class who encourage, inspire, and support each other week in and week out!

Even if you can’t get to a Mommy & Me Barre class, there are a few things you should keep in mind when returning to exercise post-pregnancy:

Consult your physician: get the green light from your OB BEFORE returning to exercise, and please, please, please wait at least 6 weeks (minimum) before returning to an exercise “regime.” Ladies, I don’t care how great you feel, your body just underwent major trauma! There is no way you can SAFELY return to exercise days after birth because the muscles of your abdomen, including your transverse abdominus, your rectus abdominus, and pelvic floor – cannot SAFELY support your skeletal structure after birth! Because of the explosion of hormones your body released to allow the bones, joints, and ligaments to soften, widen, and expand (to birth a baby), everything is still soft and pliable… aka more susceptible to injury and slower healing post-delivery. Picture trying to balance a 10 pound dumbbell on a piece of overcooked spaghetti… you feel me???

So do yourselves a favor (and me, please) just take a moment to focus on what’s really important; focus on healing, nurturing, and nourishing your body; focus on connecting with and getting to know your baby – you learn them and they learn you; give yourself permission to love on, and let others love on you; spend your time cuddling, learning what your baby likes and dislikes, how they like to be soothed. And don’t even get me started on learning the art of breastfeeding (that’s another post entirely)!

Moms are superhuman… seriously, y’all amaze me! We can pretty much do ANYTHING! But what I want you to ask yourself is “Why?” and “Should I?”. To whom are your choices truly benefitting… You? Your ego? Your baby? Your family? Your health? Like honestly, let’s stop for a moment and remind ourselves that being “healthy” does not mean fitting into our pre-pregnancy lulu lemon yoga pants or having six pack abs (despite what most other “fitness” accounts say/show you)! Being a “healthy mom” starts from the inside; it starts from your heart, your soul and your mind!

And PS, these are the things I talk about with my clients I coach one-on-one in my monthly support groups for new moms! My next group starts Monday 10/31 and is open to new moms (don’t have to be a first time mom), with babies 3-12 months old. Email me at 📧 jenthornfit@gmail.com if you want to learn more!