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.

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.

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