Hi guys...I haven't posted since I had the baby because my life seems to be out of control right now with three kids. How do you mommies do it? I have been feeling pretty good physically and seemed to heal rather quickly so I tried running at three weeks postpartum, bad idea. I could feel pain in my pubic bone...the same pain I felt running at 30 weeks. I was only able to get 1/2 mile before I had to stop it hurt too bad. So I figured I would give it another week and before I knew it I was at my six week mark. Second attempt at running at six weeks was much better but I can still feel it in my pubic bone, and the rest of my body felt like an old lady. It took me 11 minutes to run one mile and I was done for the day. It felt good to get out but also very discouraging to feel so out of it. My mind is wanting one thing but my body is not responding.
I figured I would share with you my five biggest challenges trying to get back into running after having a baby with the hopes that you will have some great advise for me...
#1 It is hard to plan a set time in the morning to run because I never know when the baby will wake up and need to eat (the joys of a nursing mom). If I don't go in the morning there is no way I will fit it in later.
#2 I am so overwhelmed with my kids that it is hard to focus on anything else. I figure it is a good day if my kids are dressed and fed let alone fitting a run in.
#3 I am so busy and stressed out that I haven't been eating well, which makes me feel like crap, which makes me want to eat more unhealthy food or not at all. I have been eating way too many carbs...what ever is fast and easy.
#4 I am living in a foreign body. I feel gross with this extra 20 pounds...I am being very impatient with wanting it gone fast. This heavier body doesn't want to do what my mind wants it to do.
#5 I have no motivation!
I have a race in three weeks so I need to figure something out pretty fast. Help!
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8 comments:
I doubt I'll be much help, but I can sure sympathize! My 3rd was born on July 29 and I am feeling all of your pain.
I have just two thoughts--first, I have eased into walking the last week or so and am now walking my kindergartner to and from school daily. When she's not with me I go at a brisk pace (with my double jogger). At first I was feeling some pain even just with walking, but it's dissipated and now I think I can push to some walk/running. I too have been hesitant to start running too soon. The desire is there, but I had some long-term issues with pubic bone pain after my last baby (started up again at 6 weeks PP). I'd like to avoid that this time around.
Second, you may or may not want to try this, but with my last baby, I would wake her around 6:00 am (again, starting at 6 weeks PP) and nurse her so I could meet my group at 6:30. At that point, it didn't take much to wake her as she'd already been asleep for several hours--I just jumped the gun a little. It worked like a charm, though all babies are different.
Good luck; how long is your race? I'm doing a 5K in November--I'm playing it safe (and wimpy) I guess. I wish you well. I'm sure the pounds will melt away once we start running in earnest. Right? :)
First of all... you need to give yourself a break. Your body is still recovering. After subsequent pregnancies and, dare I say it, advancing age it gets a little bit harder to bounce back. I hate to say this, but a race 9 weeks postpartum might be a bit agressive. Give yourself permission to walk.
I only have two kids, so I can't give much advice there. I don't know how you moms of three or more do it!
Stock up on healthy snacks and drinks so you keep yourself fueled. Even a can of Muscle Milk will do wonders for you, especially now that you're getting back into running. Don't forget to drink water EVERY time you nurse!
Congratulations on the baby. Your body will return to you.
Hi -- I was really fortunate to be able to run in the evenings when I first got back into it so that helped me. My husband would watch our sin when he got home and I would head out for a run. Maybe there is some way you could try evenings?
Other suggestion -- could you pump a bottle for the morning feeding? I'm thinking that you could set a time to get up and run and if your baby cooperated, you could nurse him/her before your run. Otherwise, you could head out and your husband could give the baby a bottle.
You should definitely take as many walks breaks as necessary in your runs.
OK, one thing on the eating. I was totally the same way after baby -- just wanted to eat whatever. Mostly carbs and junk. A local moms group was holding a healthy challenge that I entered and it really motivated me, even though it was so simple. The challenge was to eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day, drink 64oz of water and exercise for 30 minutes, 4 times a week. Really basic stuff but, for new moms, hard to do! There was something about having to keep track of my fruits and veggies that made me eat them -- and swap them for the junk food along the way. Maybe you could keep track and say that you are going to reward yourself with whatever would motivate you if you meet certain healthy eating goals for September?
My advice is WAIT! This is your third baby and you only just delivered him six weeks ago. I know you want to run, but there's plenty of time for that. Please let your body recover. The pain you feel is your body telling you it's too soon. Walk, jog a little, but why rush into a race? I know it's hard to start over with a post baby body and be tied to a nursing newborn all over again. (I'm a mommy of five so I've been there.) Remember, it's only a short time in the long run. Slow down and enjoy (the chaos!)
These are just my thoughts, for what they're worth.
I feel your pain. I am usually no good until the baby is on a schedule and a finish nursing...If you can, just give yourself a break for a bit. good luck!
So mostly I concur with the other comments but in case it helps:
1. breast pump...I wouldn't run in the mornings without one. I
2. I am 8 mo. postpartum and if I run over 6 miles I still get pubic pain. Your joints are still soft so take it easy on yourself. If you refuse to do that: 800mg of ibuprofen about an hour before you run works wonders.
3. remember that you have years to run but you will only have a baby for about 12 months. Try and enjoy him.
Wow! This is all great advice. I don't have anything to add, but wanted to wish you good luck and say "Give yourself a break!" You just had a baby and you are a very busy woman. Any exercise at all is great, even just a 20 minute walk. Enjoy your cute new baby!
I'm about to have my fourth in 3 weeks and can't wait to go for a run so I know how you feel. You have actually helped me in what you have said so a big thank you to you! With one more thing on your plate, the race, if it doesn't work out, don't sweat it. Just know it'll go to a great cause. I guess that is what I have to take in consideration since I have a race at 8weeks PP. Hmmmm, maybe I should give that away. Good luck!
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