The Mindset of
Returning to Fitness:
In Postpartum & Beyond
By Jenna Somich, Fitness Professional
Transcript:
Hello everyone, Jenna Somich, here. I am a fitness professional. I work with those who are prenatal, postpartum and beyond. I’m also a functional fitness coach, and athlete. Today I want to talk to you or present an idea. This can relate to returning to movement in fitness, or in postpartum, or at any time in our lives, or, if we’re establishing movement, or fitness in our lives.
Sometimes you have to feel what it’s like to be not ready yet to understand what it feels like to be ready. In the context of returning to movement, and fitness and postpartum, there can be a lot of unknowns. There’s a lot of ideas out there social media and things like that, telling us these are the movements to do, these are the movements to not do, you should never do these, that sort of thing. All of this creates a very understandable fear of returning to movement, post birth. It’s very confusing.
I often hear people saying, I’m afraid I’m going to hurt myself. Completely understandable that anyone would feel that way with the messages that are out there and because you are physically living through a brand new experience in your body. Even if you have gone through pregnancy and birth before each time you do it. It’s a different experience. It’s a unique experience.
Let's take the fear and the worry away from movement and fitness and celebrate it for what it is. It's our body, bringing more movement, bringing more life to our day, to our to our world, to our experiences.
So this idea of being concerned about what could or could not happen as you return to movement is understandable. But I’d like to try and take away the fear and the shame or the idea that I’ll hurt myself and say, well, sometimes we have to know and feel in our body what it is to be not ready to understand what it feels like when we are ready.
If you try a movement, or you go for a walk or or you do a workout, and your body says no, no thanks, accepting that, taking that feedback, and then moving forward from there in a different way adapting the approach. If you’re not sure how to adapt your approach, I am happy to help you figure out how to adapt. That is what I do and what I love to do.
But take that a step further, if you are establishing or reestablishing a movement routine, and you identify as beyond postpartum, maybe you’re in a different space of your life but movement and fitness is something you want to reincorporate, you can still take this idea. You can take the idea that I’m going to try a little bit, I’m going to dip my toes in, I’m going to be open to the feedback that my body gives me and then I’m going to move forward from there. Maybe it’s a small step forward, maybe it’s a big step forward, maybe it’s two step forwards. You can’t know how big of a step or how long of a pause you need, until you take that experience and you feel it in your body for yourself.
So, again, sometimes you have to feel what it’s like to be not ready yet to know what it feels like to be ready. Let’s take the fear and the worry away from movement and fitness and celebrate it for what it is. It’s our body, bringing more movement, bringing more life to our day, to our to our world, to our experiences, right. It’s not something that we need to fear. And if you ever have questions, like I said, feel free to reach out to me or any of the other experts on the panel. Thanks so much.
Jenna Somich began her career as a Personal Trainer and Coach at a gym in LA, where she received her CrossFit Level 1 certificate before becoming a Trainer and Coach full-time. She worked with all individuals but was extremely passionate about working with women, pre-teens, and teens. Upon moving to Raleigh, NC where she currently resides, she expanded her knowledge by becoming certified as a BIRTHFIT Coach and was able to coach countless Moms through their experiences and transitions of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond. Jenna has completed the Active Life Immersion Program, the The Pelvic Health, Pain, and Performance Intensive by RX Physio, the HAES Trainer Intensive led by Brit Guerin at Current Wellness. and is currently in the process of completing the Girls Gone Strong Pre/Post Natal course, as well at the Menopause For Athletes course by Dr. Stacy Sims. Jenna’s movement approach with her client’s is very much centered around the unique individual in front of her. She strives to help support individuals in building the strength that already lives within them. Jenna supports individuals at Current Wellness as well as at Neuse River CrossFit, both located in Raleigh, NC.
Spread the word
Medical Disclaimer: All content found on the HER Health Collective Website was created for informational purposes only and are the opinions of the HER Health Collective experts and professional contributors. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.
