Progress Isn’t Linear

I've been making a slow journey back to movement after what ended up being a year off for different reasons - read why here if you're interested.

It's been a great reminder for me as a pregnancy and postnatal specialist, of the journey that so many of you go through, Kirsti.

I had a slow wind-down of activity from April to December. I wasn't injured but my energy was low and my mood was unpredictable; movement wasn't my priority.

I liken this to the pregnancy journey.

Finally, I was thinking about returning to some gentle movement and eventually return to running.

I liken this to the end of pregnancy when people think they can get "back to normal" once the baby arrives.

Then I seriously injured my ankle on December 28th and my plans were shot to shit, to put it bluntly.

And this, I liken to the fourth-trimester shock that some people experience.

One hour after the missed step and that is one puffy ankle.

Seven days after the event and the colourful bruising is coming out.

Five weeks after, crutches and chucks at a fundraiser gala.

It's taken a whopping seven months to be ready to return to movement again.

I signed up for classes in a local studio - you know I love to support small female-run businesses.

I was shocked at how hard movement was. I knew my strength in my posterior chain had dwindled due to injury and the change in how I walked, but Jaysusz, it was tough. 

I was making modifications for myself as options weren’t offered - gggrrrr you know I think options are incredibly important.

I used to be the person always taking the next option offered, and now I’m not there.

It was a grounding experience and a great reminder to practice what I preach…

• Do what you can on the day.

• Our bodies are as different inside as they are outside.

• Nobody has been on the same journey as your body.

• Rest when you need to rest.

• Listen to your body.

• There's no medal - it's not the Olympics.

Slowly regaining balnce on the injured ankle.

Pushing through discomfort of recovery.

Building confidence in a changed body.

My ego has taken a hit and it's been the perfect reminder for me as your teacher of the ups & downs of the perinatal journey. I know my journey isn’t the same, I don't have a little person demanding everything of me at the same time, but it's been a good reminder.

If you are riding yourself for not doing enough in your pregnancy - it's ok, you’re creating life and you’ve grown a new organ - your placenta.

If you're gliding through pregnancy - move in any way that brings you joy.

If you're talking poorly to yourself for not getting "back to you " postnatally, give yourself kindness and time.

If you’re rocking postnatal life, rock on Queen!

I'm committing to two classes a week in the studio and I book & pay for them at the beginning of each week. It's locked in. It's a priority. 

Meet yourself where you are, not where you were.

Kirsti x