Real women love, laugh, run, move...

Here I am, one year and 3 months after having my second baby and I have learned so much. Then again, hindsight is 20/20. When I had my first baby, running was easy throughout my pregnancy. I really didn't understand how people felt unmotivated to stay physically active. After her birth, I was able to return to my prior level of physical fitness within a few months. Within a few more months, I was running faster than I had ever run before.

I had a hard time keeping myself from comparing pregnancies. The second time around I felt more morning sickness and generally more lethargy. I wasn't able to run for most of my pregnancy. This made me feel like a failure. After all, I was told time and time again by a variety of people and resources that pregnant women were now competing in amazingly difficult races and doing quite well. I was frustrated that I couldn't. As a matter of fact, I quit trying to walk or run around 30 weeks. Little did I know that my baby, at that time weighed about 8 lbs, the same weight that my first was at birth.

 

This amazing baby was born 10 lbs 10 oz and full of contentment. He is perfect in every way. Immediately after his birth, I felt the need to get moving but lacked the ability and drive. It may seem ridiculous that I was so disappointed in my low activity level, but was it really? ridiculous? I just wanted to sit on a chair and nurse while snuggling my son. But, surrounded with internet articles and television gossip regarding the last big celebrity to have the last high-profile pregnancy and the perfect "post baby bod", how could I not feel that pressure? I quickly reconciled with my issues, and happily took to nursing on the couch, rather than trying to hobble my way through a run.

My return to fitness was slow and different. I've spent a lot more time being okay with the unexpected diversion away from my workout. I've spent a lot less time training for the next big thing. I still get my share of running and workouts, but a lot of time it isn't what I expected. I might need to take the kids to the YMCA and enjoy a long distance run on the treadmill, rather than spending my time outside on a trail. I might push the kids in the dualie, rather than enjoying a simple, resistance-free run. I might take the kids to the park, for a walk, to the zoo, etc. I'm recognizing more and more that time running is good for the soul, and time away from running is also good for the soul.

What does #realwomenmove mean to me? It means finding balance. It means making time for myself, but enjoying the richness of being needed and loved so dearly. It means giving time, space and compassion to myself throughout life changes. It means loving every opportunity that I have to love, laugh, run and move.