“Don’t attack me…”. Seriously, everyone is suddenly an expert after you’ve had a baby, even people who have NO children! They’ll attack you for your choice to breastfeed or not breastfeed, why your body is so flabby, why your baby does not sleep thru the night, etc, etc, etc. Society needs to uplift mothers more and spend less time judging. Thanks for sharing your insecurities. Your post is refreshing. 💪🏋🏻♀️😍
Thank you so much for sharing your insecurities with pregnancy and what you did to get through it. Just recently found out I’m pregnant and it wasn’t planned. I’m very active and I’ve already been having all these thoughts. I’m glad I’m not alone. Thank you for being so transparent in your entire pregnancy and postpartum journey.
“I’m a mom AND…” I LOVE this statement. I’m pregnant with my first and loving all your pregnancy/fitness videos. I’ve been watching your content for years, so keep it up! 😊
Not pregnant. Never planning on being pregnant, but I am a long time follower who loves your content. I am so excited for your journey and thank you for your vulnerability. You are so much more than a mother and I can truly see what a wonderful mother you are!
I think everything you said makes complete sense. The first year is so, so hard! On all fronts, too: time, recovery, SLEEP, identity, learning about your baby, spouse/SO, etc etc etc. My daughter is the best thing in my life, and I am forever grateful that she makes me strive to be the best version of myself. But it is DIFFICULT. Like you said, difficult doesn't mean "bad." It's just difficult.
10 days postpartum here and thank you for your great video ❤ I’m feeling so good in my core and pelvic floor and so grateful I prioritised it in my weightlifting training from week 1-40 of pregnancy. It really makes recovery great 🥰 so excited to get back into my routine too ❤
Hi!! What are the core and pelvic floor exercises you incorporated into your weightlifting program? Did you include actual exercises or focused on breath more intentionally?
I definitely understand what you mean about losing your identity with being active, I had that at the very beginning for me in my pregnancy (currently 29 weeks pregnant) and I'm still working on how that makes me feel. The hardest part has been letting go of what I was capable of doing pre-pregnancy and how I felt being in the gym as well. I was the type of gym go-er who was heavy weight training (300lb deadlifts, almost 300lb squats etc). First trimester took that away from me almost immediately as I had horrible fatigue and nausea. I had severe bloating right away which made all my gym clothes uncomfortable as well, so I also didn't *look* like my normal gym self. After watching this, you give me some hope that I will be able to recover back to what I was doing, but also validates my thoughts on that it might not be an easy journey and that is ok! Thank you for sharing your journey, it's been very helpful :)
I am a long time silent watcher of your UA-cam shorts, but this video popped up and I just have to say.... I really enjoy your content, advice, and how you are overall as a person. My husband and I are thinking about having a child together in the future, and I know one of the hardest things for me is going to be dealing with the changes my body will go through during and after pregnancy and dealing with the loss of my old self. Thank you for sharing not only great advice, but also for being vulnerable. This video has helped me immensely.
Thank you!! Finally someone being realistic that we can't jump back to our regular workout after 6 weeks postpartum!! Thank you for validating our recovery! You are beautiful momma!
I am not a mom but this was very helpful for me! I am a very active person (rock climber). After having a rather serious surgery with permanent deficits it’s very hard to not be so focused on “bouncing back”. Im still working on the balance of keeping my drive to continue to get better but not comparing my current self to my past self.
Lightbulb moment for me when you mentioned bounce back mindset to your old routine. SAME. My body I have patience for, but the lack of my old routine has been getting me the past 8 weeks. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love how much you emphasize just letting your body recover and heal from pregnancy, labor and delivery. No matter how fit you are there is an actual dinner plate sized wound in your uterus that needs to heal, your bones have been sucked of calcium to build the baby and jumping back to running can lead to stress fractures. Just read about Olympian Kara Goucher's post Parfums experience and you'll know it has nothing to do with fitness level.
Abby, I just absolutely love you. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful presence on the internet. I am 11 weeks pregnant and I am loving the Show Up Series while I am adjusting to these new changes in my body and fatigue. You are wonderful. Thank you for your commitment to fitness and helping others and for your transparency during and after pregnancy. 💕
Thank you for this! Totally interested in a “mom butt” video. I’m just starting my third trimester and have had pelvic pain since week 12, severely limiting any lower body work. Couple that with exhaustion, exercising has not been going as planned and my body is changing in a not super fun way. I’m trying to stay body neutral but it’s hard knowing that less activity during pregnancy will mean a slower recovery back to my “true normal” later. Seeing your videos helps me remember that it’s okay if it takes a bit, my body will be ready when it’s ready.
I feel the same way. I could have written this same exact comment. I hate that lower body work is triggering pelvic pain rn and I feel like I’m very limited with what I can do. I hope she does the Mom butt video bc I’m interested too!
Every challenge is an opportunity. I needed to here this. With a 5wks baby trying to create time for me. It’s really challenging. Thank you for your encouragement ❤
I’ve never had any kids. This has been very insightful as to recovering and training after pregnancy. I don’t know any woman closely who have worked out during and after pregnancy. So this has been eye opening. Had no idea. So thank you for this. ☺️💕
Seriously, thank you for this video. Everything you said was extremely helpful. I’m currently 8 weeks post partum and feeling very insecure. I was on a fitness and weight loss journey before I got pregnant (unplanned 2nd baby) and it’s really hit me how much my body shape has changed during the last 9 months. I’ve been beating myself up about “letting myself go” and “giving up exercise” but it’s hard to do anything for myself with two under 3! I’m planning on getting back to exercise this week but I’ll definitely reassess my workout plan first so I can get a feel for how my body is doing. THANK YOU 🙏🏻
Thank you Abby for pointing out that the 6 wks recovery period is a lie. I went through a terrible experience giving birth to my little one a yr and a half ago. Sure enough, I wasn't fully recovered at 6 wks like my obgyn told me. It actually took almost 6 months before I could go back to my daily routine fully. Everyone's recovery is different, but 6 wks is definitely not it. Also I went through the whole sleep struggles you went through with your baby. The 15 or 20 min naps, over tiredness, sleep regressions, night wakings. It was hell. She's finally sleep trained, but from time to time she still has her moments. During my postpartum recovery I also experienced losing my identity and being very insecure. I didn't feel like myself at all. And not to mention the pressure to perform as a new mother from everyone was very overwhelming. Everything you've shared are very valid. I still feel some insecurities and am trying to get back to myself physically and mentally slowly, but surely. Thank you for sharing your experience, I can very much relate to it. Anyways, you look great and you're doing a great job as a new mother juggling your routine and your little one's.
Wow, incredible. Thank you so much for your genuine perspectives and the balance between positivity and vulnerability here. Your attitude towards yourself, motherhood, and challenges is inspiring. 🙏
Thank you so much for sharing your insecurities and moving through them. I definitely feel or have felt a lot of these too (not a mom currently). The struggles and joys of health, routine, autonomy, nutrition, rest and recovery, and harnessing grace through it all. Thank you ❤
YES I totally relate to the concept of losing myself, you said it so well, my capability- by going through the demands of motherhood! It was very comforting to me that you brought it up, because I often feel selfish for thinking this way! I have no kids yet but I've been watching all your videos and it seems to me like you're actually just ADDING to the skillset. Seriously, the way you talked about "flexibility" and you turned that into efficiency, I thought omgsh that is exactly what we ALL need. There's always days we don't want to do what is the task at hand, but there is other tasks to do etc. It's all about the leaning into a clear and positive perspective, which I am admittedly so bad at. Sorry for the long comment...Enjoy Bean, we love to see her!
very informative, thank you. i’m 37weeks pregnant and i finally made peace with myself and my new body. i am still pretty active but only to a point being comfortable and not in pain. i was an athlete before and also lifted weights. i can’t wait to feel like myself again but i constantly have to remind myself to not being very pushy about having my old identity back. i guess it’s never going to be me again. but rather a new version-slightly modified athlete AND a mom
4:54 preach girl! I so wish I was sent to a PF specialist! In my early 30s I ended up having a bladder sling put in because my kids RECKED my PF! I didn’t have formal training prior to kids and started having kids at 19!
I think the whole process is beautiful... begining, in between and the final result- about being pregnant. Then going through postpartum...I loved all the moments...
Have you put out a video on how to do effective kegels? I would love a video from you about those internal, smaller exercises that I worry about. My mom has had issues with sneezing and peeing since she was my age, and I want to try to mitigate whatever genetic combo or environmental issue that causes this by making my body as strong and resistant as possible.
My teammate, who had a baby some months ago, was told, that she can start "real" training 4-5 months postpartum. There's a thing called roughly translated as re-building classes, that are pretty normal to do in my country and start at 6-12 weeks postpartum and they are specifically to train your pelvic/core muscles.
Routine makes you feel strong and accomplished, I myself tasted that feeling very well indeed; So much so that when you lose it or life upends it you feel lost and powerless. It is our duty to define ourselves anew. That I am wishing you Abby, just be conscious of the fact that you've been doing an excellent job so far and your baby will be looking back at it and feel proud of you 😃 ! =]
What pregnancy certification did you take while postpartum and did you like it? I’m a CPT and interested in a certification as well. Also please do the mom butt video! Love your content.
Hey Abby, while performing tva exercises, where should we be feeling it?? Like, not just deep core, but the actual location. I feel it from the belly button down, not in my abs. A friend of mine says she only feels it in her abs. Did your pelvic floor doctor say anything about this??
Abby can you please talk about breastfeeding and how this impacts recovery? I am 7mo pp and I am still sticking to low intensity workouts, lots of walking and babywearing. but my knees, hips and wrists still feel so weak! It's super frustrating but I have read that your ligaments continue to soften during breastfeeding. Would really appreciate your view on this and any advice you might have. Thank you!
Can you do a video on workout to heal diastasis recti after birth? A lot of exercises can make it worse if we haven't helped it heal, so I'm afraid to try working out until my diastasis recti is healed completely.
Is it possible to figure out if your pelvic floor is healed by yourself? Currently 14 weeks postpartum and also have been running/ lifting heavy again since week 6 and luckily haven’t had any accidents as far as pelvic floor…. Does that mean it healed on its own? Kinda embarrassed to go see a professional being 14 weeks PP and have been going pretty hard at the gym since I didn’t know all this good info back then 😭😩
I wouldn't feel embarrassed! With my first, I asked for a referral to PFPT at my 6wk check-up but due to schedules, couldn't actually get in until I was 6mo PP! So they see everyone at all stages :)
I went to a pelvic floor specialist years after delivery lol, don’t worry! They also have male clients and women who aren’t post partum - we all have pelvic floors that can act up at any time ❤
Definitely not inappropriate to see someone at that stage. I had my assessment at 12 weeks pp (I was very active in pregnancy but had a complicated c-section) and that was extremely helpful.
“Don’t attack me…”. Seriously, everyone is suddenly an expert after you’ve had a baby, even people who have NO children! They’ll attack you for your choice to breastfeed or not breastfeed, why your body is so flabby, why your baby does not sleep thru the night, etc, etc, etc. Society needs to uplift mothers more and spend less time judging. Thanks for sharing your insecurities. Your post is refreshing. 💪🏋🏻♀️😍
Thank you so much for sharing your insecurities with pregnancy and what you did to get through it. Just recently found out I’m pregnant and it wasn’t planned. I’m very active and I’ve already been having all these thoughts. I’m glad I’m not alone. Thank you for being so transparent in your entire pregnancy and postpartum journey.
“I’m a mom AND…” I LOVE this statement. I’m pregnant with my first and loving all your pregnancy/fitness videos. I’ve been watching your content for years, so keep it up! 😊
Not pregnant. Never planning on being pregnant, but I am a long time follower who loves your content. I am so excited for your journey and thank you for your vulnerability. You are so much more than a mother and I can truly see what a wonderful mother you are!
I think everything you said makes complete sense. The first year is so, so hard! On all fronts, too: time, recovery, SLEEP, identity, learning about your baby, spouse/SO, etc etc etc.
My daughter is the best thing in my life, and I am forever grateful that she makes me strive to be the best version of myself. But it is DIFFICULT. Like you said, difficult doesn't mean "bad." It's just difficult.
10 days postpartum here and thank you for your great video ❤ I’m feeling so good in my core and pelvic floor and so grateful I prioritised it in my weightlifting training from week 1-40 of pregnancy. It really makes recovery great 🥰 so excited to get back into my routine too ❤
Hi!! What are the core and pelvic floor exercises you incorporated into your weightlifting program? Did you include actual exercises or focused on breath more intentionally?
I just had a baby and so much of what you said resonates. I'm happy to be a mom but also grieving the loss of my life before baby.
I definitely understand what you mean about losing your identity with being active, I had that at the very beginning for me in my pregnancy (currently 29 weeks pregnant) and I'm still working on how that makes me feel. The hardest part has been letting go of what I was capable of doing pre-pregnancy and how I felt being in the gym as well. I was the type of gym go-er who was heavy weight training (300lb deadlifts, almost 300lb squats etc). First trimester took that away from me almost immediately as I had horrible fatigue and nausea. I had severe bloating right away which made all my gym clothes uncomfortable as well, so I also didn't *look* like my normal gym self. After watching this, you give me some hope that I will be able to recover back to what I was doing, but also validates my thoughts on that it might not be an easy journey and that is ok! Thank you for sharing your journey, it's been very helpful :)
I am a long time silent watcher of your UA-cam shorts, but this video popped up and I just have to say.... I really enjoy your content, advice, and how you are overall as a person. My husband and I are thinking about having a child together in the future, and I know one of the hardest things for me is going to be dealing with the changes my body will go through during and after pregnancy and dealing with the loss of my old self. Thank you for sharing not only great advice, but also for being vulnerable. This video has helped me immensely.
Thank you!! Finally someone being realistic that we can't jump back to our regular workout after 6 weeks postpartum!! Thank you for validating our recovery! You are beautiful momma!
I am not a mom but this was very helpful for me! I am a very active person (rock climber). After having a rather serious surgery with permanent deficits it’s very hard to not be so focused on “bouncing back”. Im still working on the balance of keeping my drive to continue to get better but not comparing my current self to my past self.
Lightbulb moment for me when you mentioned bounce back mindset to your old routine. SAME. My body I have patience for, but the lack of my old routine has been getting me the past 8 weeks. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love how much you emphasize just letting your body recover and heal from pregnancy, labor and delivery. No matter how fit you are there is an actual dinner plate sized wound in your uterus that needs to heal, your bones have been sucked of calcium to build the baby and jumping back to running can lead to stress fractures. Just read about Olympian Kara Goucher's post Parfums experience and you'll know it has nothing to do with fitness level.
Abby, I just absolutely love you. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful presence on the internet. I am 11 weeks pregnant and I am loving the Show Up Series while I am adjusting to these new changes in my body and fatigue. You are wonderful. Thank you for your commitment to fitness and helping others and for your transparency during and after pregnancy. 💕
Thank you for this! Totally interested in a “mom butt” video. I’m just starting my third trimester and have had pelvic pain since week 12, severely limiting any lower body work. Couple that with exhaustion, exercising has not been going as planned and my body is changing in a not super fun way. I’m trying to stay body neutral but it’s hard knowing that less activity during pregnancy will mean a slower recovery back to my “true normal” later. Seeing your videos helps me remember that it’s okay if it takes a bit, my body will be ready when it’s ready.
I feel the same way. I could have written this same exact comment. I hate that lower body work is triggering pelvic pain rn and I feel like I’m very limited with what I can do. I hope she does the Mom butt video bc I’m interested too!
Every challenge is an opportunity. I needed to here this. With a 5wks baby trying to create time for me. It’s really challenging. Thank you for your encouragement ❤
I’ve never had any kids. This has been very insightful as to recovering and training after pregnancy. I don’t know any woman closely who have worked out during and after pregnancy. So this has been eye opening. Had no idea. So thank you for this. ☺️💕
My first pregnancy I returned to running at 6 weeks after I was cleared by my OB and immediately wet my britches on every run. Lesson learned lol.
Seriously, thank you for this video. Everything you said was extremely helpful. I’m currently 8 weeks post partum and feeling very insecure. I was on a fitness and weight loss journey before I got pregnant (unplanned 2nd baby) and it’s really hit me how much my body shape has changed during the last 9 months. I’ve been beating myself up about “letting myself go” and “giving up exercise” but it’s hard to do anything for myself with two under 3! I’m planning on getting back to exercise this week but I’ll definitely reassess my workout plan first so I can get a feel for how my body is doing. THANK YOU 🙏🏻
I absolutely love this content. every person who plans on becoming pregnant should know this information! makes recovery so much more accessible
Very true about accessibility ❤❤
Thank you Abby for pointing out that the 6 wks recovery period is a lie. I went through a terrible experience giving birth to my little one a yr and a half ago. Sure enough, I wasn't fully recovered at 6 wks like my obgyn told me. It actually took almost 6 months before I could go back to my daily routine fully. Everyone's recovery is different, but 6 wks is definitely not it.
Also I went through the whole sleep struggles you went through with your baby. The 15 or 20 min naps, over tiredness, sleep regressions, night wakings. It was hell. She's finally sleep trained, but from time to time she still has her moments.
During my postpartum recovery I also experienced losing my identity and being very insecure. I didn't feel like myself at all. And not to mention the pressure to perform as a new mother from everyone was very overwhelming. Everything you've shared are very valid. I still feel some insecurities and am trying to get back to myself physically and mentally slowly, but surely. Thank you for sharing your experience, I can very much relate to it. Anyways, you look great and you're doing a great job as a new mother juggling your routine and your little one's.
I feel exactly the same (I'm 2 months postpartum). This was the therapy session I needed this morning. Thanks for sharing, Abby!
Wow, incredible. Thank you so much for your genuine perspectives and the balance between positivity and vulnerability here. Your attitude towards yourself, motherhood, and challenges is inspiring. 🙏
Thank you Abby. I became a mama almost 4 weeks ago and I appreciate your willingness to share your experience. It's really helpful.
Thank you so much for sharing your insecurities and moving through them. I definitely feel or have felt a lot of these too (not a mom currently). The struggles and joys of health, routine, autonomy, nutrition, rest and recovery, and harnessing grace through it all. Thank you ❤
YES I totally relate to the concept of losing myself, you said it so well, my capability- by going through the demands of motherhood! It was very comforting to me that you brought it up, because I often feel selfish for thinking this way! I have no kids yet but I've been watching all your videos and it seems to me like you're actually just ADDING to the skillset. Seriously, the way you talked about "flexibility" and you turned that into efficiency, I thought omgsh that is exactly what we ALL need. There's always days we don't want to do what is the task at hand, but there is other tasks to do etc. It's all about the leaning into a clear and positive perspective, which I am admittedly so bad at. Sorry for the long comment...Enjoy Bean, we love to see her!
very informative, thank you. i’m 37weeks pregnant and i finally made peace with myself and my new body. i am still pretty active but only to a point being comfortable and not in pain. i was an athlete before and also lifted weights. i can’t wait to feel like myself again but i constantly have to remind myself to not being very pushy about having my old identity back. i guess it’s never going to be me again. but rather a new version-slightly modified athlete AND a mom
4:54 preach girl! I so wish I was sent to a PF specialist! In my early 30s I ended up having a bladder sling put in because my kids RECKED my PF! I didn’t have formal training prior to kids and started having kids at 19!
I think the whole process is beautiful... begining, in between and the final result- about being pregnant. Then going through postpartum...I loved all the moments...
Being a human is complicated. All of what you said is so relatable.
Have you put out a video on how to do effective kegels? I would love a video from you about those internal, smaller exercises that I worry about. My mom has had issues with sneezing and peeing since she was my age, and I want to try to mitigate whatever genetic combo or environmental issue that causes this by making my body as strong and resistant as possible.
My teammate, who had a baby some months ago, was told, that she can start "real" training 4-5 months postpartum. There's a thing called roughly translated as re-building classes, that are pretty normal to do in my country and start at 6-12 weeks postpartum and they are specifically to train your pelvic/core muscles.
One of your best postpartum videos!
Loved the whole video. Currently 9 weeks PP with my surprise first!
First time pregnancy and your videos have been so informative and helpful! I appreciate how in depth you go and the science behind it all.
I'm in my third trimester right now and am really enjoying your videos and shorts :) look forward to trying these tips now and after baby :)
Routine makes you feel strong and accomplished, I myself tasted that feeling very well indeed;
So much so that when you lose it or life upends it you feel lost and powerless.
It is our duty to define ourselves anew.
That I am wishing you Abby, just be conscious of the fact that you've been doing an excellent job so far and your baby will be looking back at it and feel proud of you 😃 ! =]
You almost have 1 million subscribers! congrats!
Thank you for mentioning PROLAPSE!!! 🙏🙌💜
If you were feeling the mom-butt then I don't know what hope there is for the rest of us 😭
I forgot what my OB said at 6 weeks. It was something like “you can workout with intensity” or something like that. I was like 😳
Thank you for this!!! Im so glad i found you (:
I wish I knew these things postpartum. I realized my pelvic floor was not the same when I recently went to a trampoline park 🙃
Absolutely love this video, so inspiring, thank you for sharing your journey ❤️
Yes! Do a video about "Mom butt" 🙏🙌
Thank you so much for these videos! Have learnt a lot!!
What pregnancy certification did you take while postpartum and did you like it? I’m a CPT and interested in a certification as well. Also please do the mom butt video! Love your content.
A week after my workout I was already running, although I listened to my body's but yes it was painful as I had 3rd degree tear...
This video is so helpful
it's been 3 years and i'm still working out to fix my diastasys
Hey Abby, I was just checking out your app and was wondering if there are prenatal and postnatal workouts included as well? I only see the programs
There is Sarah, from Sarah’s day. She has prolapse. She got it during her first pregnancy. That tells me that Everyone can get that 😢.
Hello, I hope you can answer, do you have an app for fitness to gain strength back and recover after hospital from other conditions?
Don’t even have a boyfriend but my body shape looks like I’m on my third trimester 😂
Hey Abby, while performing tva exercises, where should we be feeling it?? Like, not just deep core, but the actual location. I feel it from the belly button down, not in my abs. A friend of mine says she only feels it in her abs.
Did your pelvic floor doctor say anything about this??
Abby can you please talk about breastfeeding and how this impacts recovery? I am 7mo pp and I am still sticking to low intensity workouts, lots of walking and babywearing. but my knees, hips and wrists still feel so weak! It's super frustrating but I have read that your ligaments continue to soften during breastfeeding. Would really appreciate your view on this and any advice you might have. Thank you!
Thank you so much ❤❤
Can you do a video on workout to heal diastasis recti after birth? A lot of exercises can make it worse if we haven't helped it heal, so I'm afraid to try working out until my diastasis recti is healed completely.
Do you have a pregnancy program that you can just purchase without the app subscription?
That would be fantastic!
Incredible
Is it possible to figure out if your pelvic floor is healed by yourself? Currently 14 weeks postpartum and also have been running/ lifting heavy again since week 6 and luckily haven’t had any accidents as far as pelvic floor…. Does that mean it healed on its own? Kinda embarrassed to go see a professional being 14 weeks PP and have been going pretty hard at the gym since I didn’t know all this good info back then 😭😩
I wouldn't feel embarrassed! With my first, I asked for a referral to PFPT at my 6wk check-up but due to schedules, couldn't actually get in until I was 6mo PP! So they see everyone at all stages :)
I went to a pelvic floor specialist years after delivery lol, don’t worry! They also have male clients and women who aren’t post partum - we all have pelvic floors that can act up at any time ❤
Definitely not inappropriate to see someone at that stage. I had my assessment at 12 weeks pp (I was very active in pregnancy but had a complicated c-section) and that was extremely helpful.
More daily tips for mum butt please 🙏
Who did you through for your pre/postnatal cert ?
My babies loved to watch me workout so into the bouncer on the floor they went 😆