After having my second baby, I knew I wanted to approach returning to exercise differently this time. My c-section recovery felt slower than my first, with a toddler to run after now too! During my pregnancy I hadn’t been able to exercise at all because I broke my ankle around the same time I found out I was pregnant, and it never fully recovered until very late in pregnancy. I felt like I had lost a lot of fitness and gained more weight than I was comfortable with, but more importantly, I wanted to rebuild my body properly and come back stronger.
After my first pregnancy, I had jumped straight back into my hobbies - running, biking and roller derby without really addressing my strength. I struggled a lot with a sore back and found it difficult to get back to my previous levels. This time I wanted to build a strong foundation first.
I joined Zenith because I saw they had a postnatal class. With my baby Kirstin being breastfed and without childcare support, I needed somewhere I could bring her with me. I also wanted to focus on lifting weights, with guidance to make sure I was progressing safely rather than trying to do too much too soon on my own.
I attended my first class when Kirstin was just 7 weeks old. Even though I was more relaxed about getting out and about with my second baby, taking a newborn anywhere can still feel daunting.
Zenith made that so much easier. Having baby changing facilities and a space where I could breastfeed after sessions meant I could make training work. At first Kirstin mostly slept in her pram, but now at 6 months she’s happily crawling around on the mat with her toys. The coaches are always so welcoming and will even keep her entertained if she gets a bit cranky so I can finish a set!
Having a class booked keeps me accountable. Even after a bad night’s sleep, when I’m tired or feeling a bit burned out with the two kids to look after, all I have to do is turn up and the coach helps me get through the session plan! That consistency has helped me build momentum and keep going on my return to fitness journey.
I’m proud of the strength I’ve built so far. I feel stronger now than I did before either of my pregnancies. I’ve been able to lose weight sustainably through strength training and nutrition focused on fuelling my body. The progress tracking, including recording weight lifted and using the 3D body scan, has helped keep me motivated and recognise changes beyond just the number on the scales.
Returning to lifting has reminded me how important exercise is for me. I’ve realised how much more manageable everything else feels when I make time for myself. I feel more energised, fitter, and even though I’m only 6 months postpartum, I feel more like myself than I have in a long time.
All the coaches at Zenith have been incredibly welcoming and supportive to both me and my baby. They’ve helped me return safely, building up steadily from those first sessions and now challenging me to continue getting stronger. Having a place where I can train alongside my baby has been invaluable without that, fitting exercise into my life at this stage simply wouldn’t have been possible.
~Siobhan