Following on from last week, we are sharing the inspiring prenatal and postnatal journeys of our mumma clients. Today the spotlight is on Vesna, a gorgeous mum of two young girls; Mackenzie, who is 3 years old and Elliot, who is just 10 weeks old! Vesna has been doing our Premium Pilates and Fitness postnatal pilates online workouts since she was just 8 weeks postnatal, which deserves a massive round of applause!
Vesna actually contacted me in mid March, expressing her interest in purchasing online Pilates classes. She was actually my motivation behind adding prenatal Pilates online and postnatal pilates online to our at home Pilates program! The day I got these pregnancy and post pregnancy workouts online, I had several messages from clients saying thank you. Ladies, its all due to Vesna! As Vesna was the driving force behind these pregnancy and postpartum pilates workouts, I was eager to share her inspiring fitness journey.
1.Vesna, how do you find the motivation and the time to exercise?
My motivation comes from knowing that when I exercise I am a better person. I'm a better mother, wife and friend. I exercise mostly for my mental well being and also for the physical benefits. Mentally it gets me out of my own head. I forget about the endless to-do lists, the current world pandemic and anything else that is on my mind. Physically I love being strong and feeling strong. It's hard work chasing after a toddler and carrying a baby around all day! Building my strength back up is my main goal, as opposed to getting back to my pre-baby weight.
Finding the time is tricky, especially with a newborn because no day is ever the same! I'm sure you have all heard this before, but you need to make the time. At the moment I do an almost daily walk with the dog at about 6am, and then fit in an online Pilates class most days whenever I can. Sometimes that is mid-morning, and sometimes it't not until both kids have gone to bed! When I wake up and commit to a Pilates session, I promise myself I'll get it done, even if it is at 9pm. It requires being flexible, sometimes stopping and starting the workout and not getting frustrated when you can't do a workout in peace! (Side note: Vesna has posted herself doing her postnatal pilates online classes at 9pm several times! That is dedication!).
2. What do you love most about Premium Pilates and Fitness's postnatal online workouts?
I love that they are specifically designed postnatal Pilates workouts. I don't have to modify any of the exercises, which is wonderful! Emily also provides different levels for some exercises. I'm currently a level 1 as I'm not yet 12 weeks post natal and I still have some abdominal separation. Emily is so engaging and supportive. She's also real and recognises that your baby may be nearby and gives you options to include them in the workout where it is safe to do so. She is constantly updating the suite of videos available so I can build on previous sessions and safely challenge myself! Thank you Emily for thinking of us new mummies!
3. Going through two pregnancies and now two postnatal journeys, why is exercise such an essential part of your life?
It's something important that I do for myself, and closely linked to why I'm motivated to exercise, so the same reasons as above! Having been through pregnancy and birth twice has given me such respect for the female body. We carry and birth these babies and our body goes through so many changes in the process. By exercising I'm saying thank you to my body for giving me 2 healthy girls and helping my body be it's best version (which may look different to my pre baby body but that is okay)!
4. What's your favourite thing about Pilates?
That anyone can do Pilates! I actually found Pilates through injury. I used to be a runner and badly injured my foot and ankle. I asked my podiatrist what else I could do while waiting for surgery and he suggested Pilates. That was back in 2014 and I've been doing it ever since! It has strengthened me post surgery, kept me active during two pregnancies and now after birth. It also compliments any other exercise you may do by giving you a strong core/foundation. In relation to pregnancy, it's a safe way to continue moving, and I attribute Pilates as a key factor for having relatively comfortable pregnancies :)
5. What would you tell those postnatal mums out there that are scared to start exercising again?
I can totally relate to feeling scared! When your body doesn't feel like your own exercise can feel a little daunting. With the right professional guidance you can exercise at the right level in your postnatal journey. Firstly, you need to get medical clearance from your doctor, and I highly recommend also seeing a women's physiotherapist for guidance on strengthening your pelvic floor. Medical clearance from a doctor tends to be quite general but a women's physiotherapist can tell you specifically where your pelvic floor is at after birth and give you exercises to strengthen it and then slowly return to exercise. I say slow, because it's a marathon and not a sprint. After both of my births, leading up to 6 weeks I was cleared to do gentle walking and then from 6 weeks to start postnatal Pilates and add more intensity to my walks. I have another appointment at 12 weeks postnatal and I'm hoping to slowly get back to strength training. As long as you listen to the professional advice you minimise the risk of hurting yourself.
6. How are you and your family staying active, while still practicing social isolation? Any tips for other families?
We are all staying active in different ways! I'm doing Pilates and walking, hubby looks after the yard (we live on acreage so this is a big job) and the odd mountain bike ride, and we both chase Mackenzie around (haha). We're lucky that we have lots of room to be active at our place, however I'd recommend going out for a walk as a family if you don't have the space and want to get outside (while physically distancing from others). Another tip is to communicate when you want to exercise if you are doing different things, so that your partner is prepared to look after the kids during that time.
Also, have a look at what Premium Pilates and Fitness is offering online. There is something for everyone from online Pilates classes, online barre classes, online HIIT workouts, online yoga classes and of course prenatal pilates online and postnatal pilates online. All can be done from the comfort of your home, and the content is pre-recorded so you can access it anytime.Â
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us Vesna! I love your genuine and real answers and I think they will speak to all mums (I know they spoke to me). You are doing such an amazing job; juggling two kids, motivating yourself to exercise and staying positive during these uncertain times.
For all the prenatal mums out there, our client Maddy talks about her prenatal pilates journey: https://premiumpilates.com.au/2020/04/03/prenatal-pilates-why-its-so-good-for-you/
And for anyone interested in prenatal or postnatal pilates, we'd love to be part of your fitness journey! Have a look at our at home Pilates program here: https://premiumpilates.com.au/online-content/ .
