Moms: It’s Okay to Prioritize Your Health During Pregnancy and Beyond
As a new mom, it’s ok to feel sad.
It’s ok to be overwhelmed.
It’s even ok to feel a little lost.
After my second child was born, I felt lost in every way imaginable. Between the weight of being a new mom of two and the literal post-baby 70-pound weight gain, I wasn’t sure how to find my way back to myself.
The best thing I ever did, was to stop putting myself last. I adapted a new mindset that prioritized my mental health and fitness by moving my body for 30 minutes daily. As a result, I dropped the weight and the unrealistic expectations I set for myself. Fast-forward four years, and surprise, I’m pregnant again. But this has been a totally different journey for me.
It is completely normal to gain weight during pregnancy, you’re growing a human after all. What’s not normal is the narrative, I hope we can change: indulge and figure it out later.
Pregnancy is the time to put yourself first and not give up on yourself.
More than ever, you mama, you matter. When you put yourself first, you also give others the best version of yourself. What’s that saying, when the oxygen mask falls, put yours on first to help others? The same applies to your mental health.
Start or maintain your routine.
If you were active pre-pregnancy, stick with it, modify it and keep moving. If you weren’t, then first talk to your doctor, and do what’s comfortable and approved. Whether it’s dancing in your living room, taking a walk around your neighborhood, or attending a prenatal yoga class, doing these simple movements can propel you through post-partum as well.
Maintain structure.
Moving my body in the morning sets the tone for the day. I feel motivated, less anxious and make healthier food choices throughout the day. Find what works for you, even if all you can manage is just a few minutes. It can do wonders for your mood and digestive system. Focus on nutrient dense foods and stay well hydrated. This is especially important post-baby if you’re breastfeeding.
You will have bad days but keep pushing forward.
I admit, I have had my fair share of hot fudge sundaes this pregnancy and I have had downright bad days that have turned into bad weeks. That’s life and when the baby comes, you’ll be having a lot of those unscheduled interruptions. Learn to adapt. The common thread between how I feel and how I eat, boils down to following the framework I have laid out. If I don’t stay on course, I wake up the next day and try again.
What you prioritize, you will find the time to do. It’s not perfection. It’s perseverance.
After experiencing the lows of an unhealthy pregnancy – rapid weight gain, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia – I decided to take door number two this time. I realized it wasn’t just my happiness I was putting off; it was ME I was putting off. Moms are resilient. Selfless. Strong. We are so needed in every aspect of our family’s lives, so putting our mental and physical health at the forefront should begin pre, during, and post-baby.
How was your experience prioritizing mental and physical health during your pregnancy?
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