On being nice to your body: From the postpartum side

The truth is, I think my body is pretty freaking rad.
A year ago my body started on its hardest task yet- making a baby. From October to July my body figured out how to take the nourishment I was giving it and then use it to make tiny fingernails, a tiny heart, a tiny brain. (Some things blew my mind about pregnancy- the fact the my gums would bleed easily because my body was taking any extra calcium and giving it to the growing babe. How does my body know how to do that?!)

After nine months of growing that baby, my body so graciously agreed to let itself get sliced open so that the docs could pull my stubborn baby out. My abdomen muscles, my uterus, layers of fat were all cut through to retrieve the baby. Now my body is working on healing it back together again. The only evidence I have of that terrific feat is a five inch red scar across my bikini line.
My body continues to amaze me as now it produces milk for the child that it spent the last year growing. Sometimes I just think about it all in awe- how does my body know how to do all those things? How does it answer my needs?
I have always tried my best to be nice to my body, but especially in the past three months. I look at the extra roundness and squishiness in my belly, and it is easy to want it gone right away. I am tempted to be frustrated with my body, to wish it back to its pre-pregnancy state. But then I remember that the squishiness and the scar and the sometimes sore breasts are all evidence of what my body has done for me, how it has taken care of me and my child.
Because of this, I have gone easy on my body since I had June. I haven't made it go running, I haven't forced any strict workouts on it. I have allowed it to heal slowly and in its own way while I have enjoyed a sugar cookie or two. I have not pressured myself to exercise or eat a strict diet- in a way I feel like my body has been through so much that heck, give it that piece of cake that it wants.
I am, however, finally feeling ready to push my body a little bit. Yesterday I went for my first run in six months and while it was tough, it felt amazing. My body has done so much for me that I feel like it is time that I give back to my body- give it proper exercise and start improving my diet a little bit. My body doesn't know this, but I'm going to want it to grow me a baby all over again in a few years here.
One of the big things that got me out the door and on a run was my new pair of running shoes. A bit of advice for you- if you are dragging your feet to start working out, buy some new work out gear. It always does wonders for me!

I am especially proud to be wearing these running shoes as they are part of Skechers' campaign to end the fight against breast cancer. (Notice the pink?) They have three shoes this season that are all dedicated to raising awareness and lots of other fitness merchandise, too.

The shoe I am wearing is the GOrun Sprint Awareness Shoe and I love it. It is extremely light weight and comfortable- the sides are made of a lightweight material that is very breathable. My feet are always on fire when I work out, so I love that these shoes actually keep my feet cool.

Visit here if you are interested in joining in to support the fight to end breast cancer. Hey, if you've gotta buy new running shoes anyway, why not buy a pair that is supporting such a great cause?

This post is financially supported by Skechers.