I promised that this blog wouldn’t become all about baby (um, I have a place for that) BUT this particular insight has more to do with accepting physical and mental changes at any stage than the specifics of my changing body.
Because, you see…I’m having to learn to be OK with doing less. My pregnant body demands it. And I had a humbling experience this weekend that showed me, like it or not, I have to slow down.
{Nothing dramatic, just a lot of exhaustion brought on by taking a long and intense dance class, walking around a shopping mall for four hours and a round of house cleaning. Five months ago, that was just a standard Saturday. But by 3pm, I was past the point of just being tired — I was worn down, feeling sore and fatigued and mentally checked out. I had to take a power nap and wound up having hangover-like symptoms all through Sunday.}
It’s not that I haven’t been tired before; I just pushed through. It’s not that I haven’t been sore before; I just pushed through. But I can’t push anymore, because I have someone else to think about. Someone’s needs I have to put before my own.
Pre-pregnancy, the idea of putting on weight terrified me. Now I embrace it. Eating treats was a once-in-a-while indulgence. Now it’s every day (ice cream=calcium. cupcakes=carbs.) and I’m loving every minute.
In many ways, I hope this gentler, more forgiving Katy lasts longer than 40 weeks. I find myself really enjoying each day more, and not beating myself up for skipping a workout or taking it easy. I still want to stay in shape, make smart choices and push my body to its best self. But not to a dangerous extreme.
Substitute pregnant, in my case, for your situation. Maybe you’re busy with work. Maybe you want to spend time with friends. Maybe you’ve been training for years and you just.need.a.break.
It’s OK. Find a way to be your best friend, not your worst enemy. It makes a big difference.
About Katy
Learning the same lessons as you! It’s amazing how hard we can be our bodies…. I have to agree I’m liking being nicer to myself
Love that last line in the post…so true!
That’s what it boils down to…we need to treat ourselves as kindly and with as much understanding as we treat our friends…
Amen and amen!
I always wondered how I would react to the healthy weight gain associated with pregnancy. I guess it’s just part of that maternal instinct that kicks in when it’s time (and the maturing process in general). You’re such a beautiful mother-to-be!
Yes to all of this! Pregnancy and raising my kids has REALLY changed my perspective on everything about “me.” I’m still learning – but I definitely appreciate my body more and I just so much more relaxed about what I can control. You CAN do it all if you set smaller expectations, focus on quality, and enjoy everything moderation. Seems so simple – yet it took so much effort to get to this place!
LOVE this post! I’m taking a little break before I start yoga teacher training in August and I’m with you, it is so nice and I too feel like I enjoy each day a little bit more. It’s so much less stressful!
This really hit home! It took me months to be OK with doing less after my pacemaker procedure – Thanks for posting
You’re right – doing less doesn’t mean you’re living less. It might mean you’re actually living more because you’re more present in the moment instead of having your mind racing to whatever is next on the schedule…
Treating myself like I would treat a good friend is something I’ve been working on for quite awhile. It’s so important for us all to realize how truly special and amazing we are.
Katy,
So glad to hear your good news! I’ve recently started thinking about how I need to be nicer to myself about being a mom. It can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel like you’re never quite getting it right. So, you’ll be doing well if you can transition your forgiving self into motherhood as well.
Great post – it really is hard to let yourself do less. I’m not a mom, but I love how you wrote this and applied it to other areas of life too.
Well sometimes it is very nice to have a break for some time and do nothing just relax.. As a mom, we don’t have a chance to have a break, maybe on mother’s Day we will..
For someone who is full of energy, doing less seems to be a tough act. you’ll get the hang of it though.
Yes. Yes. Yes!
This is all so true! Even though I’m not pregnant, I still sometimes push myself too much when I don’t need to. Thanks for the reminder!