Walk This Way
By: First Time Mama
Tags: Moms, Time, Motherhood, Baby, Birth

If you’re reading this in the hope that the sole purpose of the information below is to help you slip back into your pre-baby jeans, you won’t find what you’re looking for. This is a gentler approach to getting back on the go after childbirth, but the focus is very firmly on how you’ll feel, rather than how you’ll look.

However, there’s every chance that this will help you graduate from your maternity trousers back into buttons and belts as well….

It goes without saying that every new mother comes to the First Time Mama blog with a different set of circumstances. While one mama may be blooming with a full head of shiny hair, another might be coming to terms with a really traumatic birth. It’s important that you listen to your doctor and your body before undertaking any form of exercise after childbirth, so if there’s any doubt about what you should be doing, check it out with your GP first.

HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER?

That depends on your pregnancy. While some mums were able to keep running 5K deep into their pregnancy, others have had trouble getting about. There is a long string of conditions that can be summed up in a few letters (SPD, PGP, DSP) that basically make it unbearable to take a few steps during pregnancy. Although you may have had your baby, the memory of every painful step will linger with you for a while, so go easy on yourself. You will get back to your best self, it may take a little time…

“I’VE LOST MY GET UP AND GO…”

Even the most bubbly and vivacious woman can feel flat and deflated post-pregnancy. Looking after a new born means that you might not even manage to take care of the most basic of tasks and it can take all day to get ready to leave the house. Don’t sweat it — this doesn’t last forever, but you can re-prioritise things so you can get a bit of breathing space back.

ROUND THE BLOCK, NOT ROUND THE BEND

It can be really tough to get out of the house in between feeds, but a 10-minute spin around the block can make all the difference to your day. Your baby is safe and sound in the pram and the house can wait for a while, so take yourself out for a breath of air.

There is a very long list of studies that prove the link between walking and improved mental health, but we’re not going to blind you with science. Here’s the jist of what you need to know:

Your foot’s impact during walking sends pressure waves through your arteries that significantly modify and can increase the supply of blood to your brain. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170424141340.htm

When we go for a walk, the heart pumps faster, circulating more blood and oxygen not just to the muscles but to all the organs — including the brain. Many experiments have shown that after or during exercise, even very mild exertion, people perform better on tests of memory and attention.

(https://www.improvisedlife.com/)

(https://www.improvisedlife.com/) Exercise helps trigger endorphins, which improve the prioritizing functions of the brain. After exercise, your ability to sort out priorities improves, allowing you to block out distractions and better concentrate on the task at hand. Your brain remembers more when your body is active.

(https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2012/05/08/6-ways-exercise-makes-you-smarter/)

“WHAT’S MY TARGET TIME?”

Woah, Nelly! This is not about performance, so don’t try and work on a PB. This is about the quality of experience, so take care to set realistic goals. You might like to map your route out before you go, so you don’t have to decide whether to turn left or right when you’re walking. If you’re nervous about being away from the house too long, set yourself a time limit. Walk in one direction for 10 minutes, and then walk back home. 20 minutes will pass very quickly and the chances are that you could survive without bottles and a change bag for such a short timeframe. That will make it so much easier to get out of the house in the first place!

If you have been finding it really hard to leave the house, you will be bowled over by the sense of achievement after your first walk. Hold on to that feeling — remember back to how good you felt when you’re trying to get out the next day or when you’re working up a long list of why you shouldn’t/can’t/don’t want to go. You will feel better afterwards. Promise!

ME TIME

It feels like we’re straying into dangerous territory here, but we’re just going to come right out and say it — sleeping cannot be considered as ‘Me Time’, regardless of who around you might like to make you think it is. Hold on to that thought while you work out just what else you do for yourself on a daily basis? Looking after your body, mind and soul is critical for your baby’s wellbeing. It would also mean that talking your daily walk can’t be considered as Me Time, because it is so vital to your wellbeing. However, it is the opportunity to do something nice for yourself as you walk. Your phone can be your portal to the world. Apps can help you access the wider world, even if you’re simply taking a spin around the corner. You can lose yourself in a good audio book or listen to music. You can also try meditation, using one of the best-selling apps such as Calm or Headspace. Meditation may be new to you or you may simply think that it is not your thing, but it is worth giving your mind an extra little bit of love while you’re out and about. With your headphones plugged in, you are still present with your baby but also doing something for yourself at the same time.

IT WON’T ALWAYS FEEL THIS WAY

For women who used to dash out of the door, with a spritz of perfume and a designer handbag, the paraphernalia that comes with motherhood can feel utterly draining — but you will get back to carrying your world around in a small bag. If you’re dazzled by the fact that getting out of the house is so difficult, it’s good to remember these early days will pass and you’ll be back to normal soon enough. It’s a new normal, but you will get used to it. Taking the first step may be the hardest one that you take, but it is worth it. Don’t overthink it, just grab your keys, your baby and go.

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