Sept 2022 & Sept 2021. In a few days I’ll be hitting my 12th month post partum mark. I wanted to wait a year before sharing the Sept 2021 photos because if there’s anything this process needs it’s patience and TIME. Giving birth via emergency CS tested me on so many levels. In my case all I could really do was walk for about 10-15 mins around 8-9w pp. Clawing my way back to a version of my old fitness routine felt overwhelming. There were many days I felt sad I didn’t deliver normally mainly because I knew the healing process of it would’ve been quicker. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for the way I delivered Tyler but the toll it takes on the body is truly something you aren’t prepared for. Breastfeeding while my CS scar was healing made me realize my body was no longer my own. Not being able to move but still being able to nourish my son made me feel strong and vulnerable all at once. There is SO MUCH A WOMAN’S BODY GOES THROUGH FROM PREGNANCY TO POST PARTUM. Patience, love and kindness towards oneself is ESSENTIAL. Throughout my life of being an athlete and losing weight multiple times, consistency and perseverance have never let me down. But this was and is the most challenging weight loss journey I’ve ever been on. Balancing my food while exclusively breastfeeding took practice. Breastfeeding is definitely not a free pass to eat anything and everything, especially because I couldn’t really move for 3 months. Breathing exercises to treat my diastasis recti and restore my core would bring me to tears most days. Dragging myself to the gym despite the exhaustion of balancing work and being a new mom would sometimes drive me a little mad. It’s so hard but also so possible. This also taught me to love my body beyond what I want it to look like. Everyday I look at my beautiful son and everything is as it should be. Excited for where my fitness routine will take my body in the next few months. For now this is me 1 year post partum and I’m really proud of myself for staying focused. I know it’s hard Mama, but you are strong and you are able 🤍 So go get em💪🏼