I was cleared to work out on December 29th, 2021. At that point I hit the ground running (literally). I wore my running shoes to my ob-gyn appointment and when I was cleared, I went down to the beach to run my first 4 miles in 8 weeks! It was rough, but I was determined to get back in shape, so I kept pushing! There were days I wanted to quit so bad, but to feel the way I do now, I am so happy I didn’t. Comparing these photos is truly INSANE! I put in a lot of work, but the transformation in the first 4 months is amazing!! It just shows that consistency and hardwork pays off.
In less than 6 months I lost more weight than before I had the baby and developed more muscle tone. It is not easy for me to post these pictures, because I hate showing off my body and as most, I am the biggest critic, point out all my flaws and look for areas where I can look better. I feel it is important to share this journey, because for those of you who think you cannot do it or it is far out of reach; I am here to tell you, it is totally and 100% attainable and worth it!
Was it easy – NO
Were there days I wanted to give up- YES
Can you fit a workout in a busy schedule- YES
Does a big transformation happen in a short amount of time- ABSOLUTLEY NOT
DETERMINATION AND CONSISTENCY ARE THE NAME OF THE GAME!
February 2022 – June 2022
Before I got pregnant, I was in pretty good shape. I was running a lot and that was my main source of exercise. I did some HIIT workouts with body weight, but I never saw any “toning”. Postpartum was a different story- Although I continued to run, I also did hot yoga (I took advantage of my husband being home on paternity leave ;)). I did a lot of Yoga Sculpt (with weights) and this is what ignited the fire for strength training, because I started to see results quickly. I started following women who strength train on Instagram and started to do dumbbell workouts about 3 times a week.
My fitness journey became so intriguing, I wanted to learn more about the muscles, what I am working in certain workouts and how to create workout plans and exercises that compliment my goal. This passion for fitness also led me to start studying to be a Personal Trainer through NASM.
June 2022 – December 2022
During this time, I did a lot of running, but became more heavily focused on weight training. I became obsessed with muscle gain and noticed the most progress in my muscle tone and strength than ever before. This is where I developed a workout plan to follow and created my splits. Which means targeting specific muscle groups on certain days throughout the week:
Monday– Full Body
Tuesday– Back & Biceps, Core
Wednesday– Legs & Glutes, Shoulders
Thursday– Chest & Triceps, Core
Friday– Legs & Glutes, Cardio HIIT
Saturday– Long Run (7.5 Miles)
Sunday– Rest
The split changed my whole perception on strength training, because I was able to understand the different muscles I was training and how to properly create a program. Throughout my NASM studies, I also learned a model (OPT Model) that outlines a legitimate workout plans.
In October 2022, I graduated NASM with my Personal Training Certification. It was hard and I definitely learned a lot more than I wanted to about the human body! Ha!! Now, I I can not only create my own workout with confidence and backed with science-based knowledge; but, help others achieve their health and fitness goals as well. SO rewarding!
December 2022 – June 2023
This transformation was really exciting to see. It just shows how amazing lifting weights can be for the body! I continued with the same split as above, except I moved Wednesday – Shoulders to Thursday – Chest/Triceps/Shoulder, Core. I decided to keep the upper body to Tuesday & Thursday and keep two full days (Wednesday & Friday) for Legs/Glutes. I am still running during this time, but really only because I enjoy the feeling and for mental clarity. I feel really strong! I am so pleased with my physique, but I decided to take it one step further and in June I decided to do my first cut (caloric deficit).
In April, I graduated the NASM Nutrition Coach Certification, as well as the NASM Virtual Training Certification. With this, I have learned a lot about nutrition and I decided to do an experiment on myself by doing a cut. The goal is to cut body fat and build lean muscle, by eating a wholesome, nutritious foods, high in protein, and monitoring my macros (carbs, fats, proteins); while remaining in a caloric deficit. See my CUT page to see the deets and progress!
Physical fitness has become a part of my life that I look forward to and enjoy now, not dread and push aside, like I used to. It is one of my priorities, not only because of physical appearance, but mental stability and most importantly health! I want to be around as long as possible for my family. With this, I find time to work out almost everyday and eat healthy. This is also important, because I am a positive role model for my kids in regards to living a healthy lifestyle.
This is right where I am supposed to be and it is so amazing to be able to share my journey!
See how I did it: Getting Back in Shape after Pregnancy
