What’s the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word “fit” or “fitness”? Tan bodies, rock-hard abs, muscular arms, and killer calves? Maybe. Or maybe it’s a lean, toned immaculate human. We all have our own ideas of what “fit” looks like and how we define it. And, if you’re a woman, you may not always include pregnancy with your definition of being fit.
It’s okay, I did that too.
When I was pregnant with my first child, I thought I was losing my fitness because I couldn’t workout in the same ways I had before, like running a certain amount of miles or lifting a certain number of weights or reps. I had put fitness in a box and that box didn’t include growing a human from scratch.
I recently wrote an article for a Canadian mom’s magazine on pregnancy and why it’s a special kind of fitness— you’re like an athlete only stronger.
“It’s not just Tour de France champions, sports stars, marathoners, or those who summit Mt. Everest who have the market cornered on strength. Our culture places athletes on pedestals, but you’re on a pedestal of your own.
Yes, you’ll slow down. Yes, you won’t feel like moving at the same intensity. But that doesn’t mean you’re not fit. You’re tired and sore and achy because you’re already working incredibly hard to build a life. You’re already working out every second of the day. Your body is feeding, creating, and preparing a little human to breathe and eat and think and move in the world.”
Abigail Granner 