I did some exercise yesterday and thus ended the fitness dry spell I’ve been enjoying for well over half a decade. I can account for around three years of that dry spell (pregnancy, new baby, pregnancy, new baby) but I’m not quite sure what I was doing for the years at either end. I think that in the year pre-baby the lack of exercise was probably just down to laziness and the most recent year was due to something like house sale, house move, house move, knackeredness.
But there’s only so long you can emotionally endure having to use a plastic shoehorn to tuck your stomach into your high-waisters and so, a few days ago, I made the executive decision to book myself into a local HIIT class. Not one to ease myself into anything gradually (unless it’s a too-hot bath) I shunned the beginner’s yoga, skipped the easy pilates and opted for the one class I couldn’t lie down in. (Because if there’s any lying down involved then I’m done, game over. Sleep beckons and I have to excuse myself. Also I have something odd going on with my spine and can’t lie down flat on my back – it renders me as immobile as an upside-down turtle and it takes two people to get me upright. True, non-interesting fact.)
So yes, I went to a High Intensity Interval Training class. But two things occurred to me before I’d even got there: one was that I had nothing to wear because I didn’t know where any of my “gym clothes” were and the second thing was that I had totally forgotten about my pelvic floor problem. If you don’t know what I’m on about then just carry on in glorious oblivion, but if you do have any experience with a weakened pelvic floor then you’ll appreciate my worry at the prospect of doing star jumps, jogging or any kind of movement that requires a sudden effort.
It’s not a serious problem; I’d say it’s pretty pedestrian considering I’ve had two big babies (not out the usual way, granted, but apparently just being pregnant with that kind of weight takes its toll on the old bagpipes) but now and then I’m – how shall I put it? – surprised. And it hadn’t even crossed my mind when I booked the class that I might have to turn up wearing the biggest sanitary towel I could find, just in case, and refrain from drinking any liquids for two hours prior.
Anyway, into class I shuffled, the world’s most gargantuan sanitary pad making a disconcerting rustling sound as I walked and my too-small leisurewear making me look like sausage meat that had been piped into a lycra tube. And I was feeling pretty nervous, I have to say – I had visions of myself going dizzy, feeling breathless, blacking out, waking up in a puddle of wee. But do you know what? I was absolutely fine once we got going. I didn’t find the pace too unbearable – I didn’t go hell for leather, but I didn’t go easy on myself either – and I was pleasantly surprised by the way my legs could still drop quite easily into reasonably acceptable lunges. I squeezed my pelvic floor for the whole 45 minutes, tried not to be sick in the hardest exercise parts (what sadist invented burpees?) and swore gently under my breath for the entire second half. But I did it.
Will I go again? I think I will, thanks for asking. Perhaps not to that particular class, but that’s mainly because I had to do loads of exercises on the rough grass and I totally skinned my elbows and knees. Actual beads of blood. It looked like I had bad carpet burns – Mr AMR must have wondered what I’d been up to!
But when my knee and elbow pads have arrived from Amazon, I’ll definitely do it again. I liked the spurts of running and cardio mixed in with terribly painful toning exercises – who doesn’t love squatting then jumping, or lunging then raising their knees up to their elbows? Much more fun than reading Elle Deco with a raspberry tea and a slice of drizzle cake.
Note sarcasm.
Has anyone else beaten the fitness fear factor? Broken a long (blissful) exercise dry spell? And have you managed to keep up with the routine or was it a short-lived effort? Tell me, motivate me, confess your fitness sins. I’ll be doing a bit of pilates, I think, until my raucous sex burns have totally disappeared, so I’ll keep you updated if you’re remotely interested…
Please make an appointment with a women’s health/ pelvic health specialist physio. This is not something you have to live with.
Haha sex burns. Click bait! :)
: )
Exercising not exciting
I honestly believe “fitspirstion” just comes to you. There’s no specific time or wait or motivation it just shows up. You may feel free to block me for using that term too btw.
I have followed this blog for the longest time and watching you grow it, your business and family has been utterly beautiful. I know this wasn’t the point of the post but don’t ever wonder what you were doing when u weren’t exciting coz just go back a few posts and u can see some of the beautiful life posts you’ve so generously shared. ALSO very misleading title just saying… I thought there would be scandal hahah
Yeah, “I went to a fitness class” didn’t have the same exciting appeal! Haha
Mmmm drizzle cake.
I absolutely love HIIT training. I find that for me, it is the only class that actually gets me going at the gym!
Danielle xx
https://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
I get it! I eventually gave in to the nagging by my encouraging friend Emma and agreed to go to the same HIIT class as she does every Saturday in February – just to shut her up. After the first one I had to take the lift a work to come down from the first floor as stairs were impossible……
I’m now up to at least 3 times a week and feel great! I am in my fifties and for the first time in my life I have muscles. Thank you to the lovely people at Team Breakthrough in Box – now I just have to do something about the bubble wrap……..
Fitness never gets any easier, I think it’s just about finding what you reasonably enjoy doing fitness wise and just stick at it!
Hi Ruth,
It’s so nice to hear a ‘proper’ person talking about getting back into exercise. I used to be slim, toned and confident but following a couple of episodes of depression (one where I was given medication with a common side-effect of weight-gain, something my GP neglected to mention and I was too out of it too research myself) I am now overweight, lacking motivation and confidence in myself. On top of this I feel even more of a failure because as a mental health nurse, I feel I’ve failed even to be in this position. I know you often doubt yourself and I find it hugely encouraging to hear you talking about returning to exercise after such a gap. I will probably begin with yoga but you’ve reminded me that there is hope and I don’t have to resign myself to my current physique forever. Thank you!
Don’t give up on the HIIT work outs. They can be quick and really work fast. LWR fitness is a really good channel on YouTube you may want to check out. They are quick videos ( has over 300 posted) 3 to 20 mins in length, that you can pick and choose what area you want to work. They even have Post- pregnancy ones. Plus you can do them in your living room so no day care or travel issues. Good Luck on your work out journey.
Have you ever watched Rebecca Louise’s (on Youtube) fitness exercises? Quick (10 – 15min) workouts for the lower body, core, upper body, cardio, etc. on beautiful beaches! Very simple to follow, as well!
Ooh ooh just seen that Mutu systems have 47% off their online postnatal program, might be worth a try
https://mutusystem.com/program?WickedSource=Facebook&WickedID=6092886661472
Brava for reintroducing fitness back into your life. I’m a tad (ahem) more vintage than yourself but I see the value of daily exercise. With injured knees, Achilles tendons, and wobbly feet, I used them as an excuse to ‘take it easy’. The thought of taking medicines to treat what comes with age just didn’t sit well with me, so I started with a 30-day challenge. I hit the gym at least 5 days per week and walked 5 miles the other days. I groaned, I perspired, I wore enough lineament to turn heads (and noses) but I made it.
Before I run off to spin class, I encourage you to bask in your HIIT glory. That’s an accomplishment and don’t worry about the pelvic floor issue. Everyone else in the class is worried about the same issue.
Hi Ruth, long time reader, first time to comment. I was thinking you could look into strength training classes maybe. In my local area there are classes that are a small class size (one trainer to 6-8 people) which is less expensive than one to one personal training but they also modify exercises for every individual and do a specific set of exercises to suit you. Aside from that another option could be circuit training which is like the little sister of HIIT and I would recommend that as an option for cardio type exercise. Also, Yoga is AMAZING if you try the vinyasa yoga (or flow yoga it’s sometimes called). It doesn’t involve holding poses for extended periods of time (which I find my hips and shoulders can’t take), instead you move fluidly through a series of poses, you can check out DoYogaWithMe on YouTube with Fiji (my yoga instructor recommended her). She has a good pace and some beginner videos to give you an idea. Some of the stuff is really hard (like I can’t step from a high plank to get one foot between my hands, it lands more like half way between my knees and hips but that’s fine) and a good yoga instructor will adjust the poses for you too. Pilates is a great start too. Really enjoyed your post and best of luck with the exercise, I’ve recently started trying to include running in my exercise “routine” but it’s SO HARD!!! Every little bit counts though, right?
Goodness this made me giggle because it was so relatable! Apart from the is yoga/Pilates class and gentle swimming once a week I hadn’t done any form of regular exercise as an adult. At 36 I decided this needed to change! Unable to face going to public classes I stuck to a routine of daily yoga and a mix of Pop Pilates and Fitness Blender on YouTube. 8 years on and I now love my daily exercise routine and have even taken up running (I always hated running!) and I definitely feel much better for it.
Try @giggle_knickers for those “surprising” moments. I’m back running post-children and they have definitely made me less self-conscious about pelvic-floor failures. Yes, the name makes me throw up in my mouth a little but they work so all is forgiven.
I’ve battled with myself to go to the gym for years, it’s very much an on-off relationship. I would really recommend doing a team sport though (I recently joined a netball league in London), as then you have others relying on you showing up. That way you can’t skip the class, eternally promise yourself you’ll go tomorrow, or arrange to have drinks with friends instead. As a bonus it’s pretty good socially too!
I’ve just started with a personal trainer twice a week, very expensive, but I’m fed up of looking like a middle aged woman when I could easily look a LOT better. I just have no motivation to go to a gym class on my own with a job and two kids under 5. I think it’s already working on me mentally and physically after only a month, but my trainer is extremely keen to point out exercises NOT to do when you have diastasis recti. I would make sure your instructor knows that you shouldn’t do sit ups and too much planking!
Meant to say ‘your writing’…- i’m typing on the sly at desk!
‘ having to use a plastic shoehorn to tuck your stomach into your high-waisters’ – love it! You’re writing is always so entertaining!
After three gargantuan babies my body, I don’t think, will ever remotely resemble it’s pre pregnancy state.
I feel like I’m trying to get toothpaste back into the tube every time I get dressed and the undercooked omelette consistency of my mid section, which has been affectionately named (apparently) the elephant ear is a thing of wonder.
I also wee, mostly with no warning and normally when decending the stairs in the morning. Which is nice.
I’ve tried many things, yoga being one. My uncontrollable toilet humour though rendered me useless, yoga classes are a fart fest, back and front bottom farts a plenty. It’s frowned upon, I’ve found, to hysterically laugh at every audible guff.
I tried the couch to 5k and ruined a knee, discovering I have slack ligaments along with the rest of my slackness.
So, I swim. My wobbly jelly body concealed in water, I can scuttle to the poolside under the cover of a duvet sized towel and slide in like a raw chicken fillet off a plate.
I’d recommend it.
I’m all about the low impact life now. Used to be more into HIIT, but then my knees and hips started protesting. Loudly. I’m 37 btw and not too pleased about the way my body protests exercise. And I haven’t had a baby. Just straight up aging (and I’m assuming tight muscles). Anyway, if you want to try some low impact options I recommend the following YouTube channels: Jessica Smith TV, Lucy Wyndham Read, and Pahla B fitness. Pahla B is ridiculously chipper, but her videos are ace. Hard workouts without the jumps.
My youngest is 3 and I have just started going to “yoga strength.” Twice a week for now. I feel so much stronger already! I really haven’t exercised in years and years and need to get stronger, for the *ahem* pelvic floor issues and others.
As a pilates teacher I might be biased by i’d totally suggest having a one-to-one session of Pilates with someone well trained in pre/postnatal (never be afraid to ask about a teacher’s training) and then join a group class. They can direct you to a Women’s Health Physio if necessary and will get you on the right track with pelvic floor exercises (just squeezing ain’t enough!)
Pilates got my body and, erm, bits back into a vague semblance of order and watertightness after giving birth. It helped with a (small) diastasis and (big) low back issues plus prepared me for bigger, sweatier stuff (I mean exercise!)
Once I was stronger I started doing Barre classes and that’s helped no end, it’s frikkin tough but low impact (no flap leakage!) and gets rid of the love-handles like nothing else (I like to pretend I’m Darcy Bussell/Coco-from-Fame while I’m doing it)
I’m also a fan of the Bellicon rebounder (studies have shown that it strengthens the pelvic floor and 15 mins on a rebounder is equivalent to a half hour run. And it’s fun: WHATS NOT TO LIKE???)
BTW I teach Pilates in Frome and at Babington House, come see me!
Have you heard of ‘the laser chair’? Sorts your pelvic floor with lasers.
Seconding all the recs for post natal pilates. I had abdominal surgery to remove fibroids in 2016 and then I had my son by c section 12 months later so my core muscles were in a total state! I did Pilates after my op for 12 weeks and i’ve been doing post natal Pilates since my son was 6 weeks old. I do karate as well and there’s a fair amount of jumping and leaping involved – thanks to the Pilates i haven’t come close to wetting myself yet!
I get furious at the tv ads aimed at older women for tennis lady – if every women did Pilates they would never need to resort to wearing these.
As you’ve mentioned problems with your back i’d Recommend you find a Pilates teacher who is also a physiotherapist.
This post really made me laugh – I love the way you write
Tenna not tennis ffs!
Hi Ruth, I enjoy reading your blog updates I just never comment lol but since I’ve been having the same fitness (or lacking of) problem, I decided to share. For me, 5 minutes of yoga every morning and every night gets me in the right mood when I want to work out, after two weeks or so of that I’m ready for a more consistent work out routine.
Fitness Blender on YouTube has been a godsend for me. I get terribly distracted if any workout is more than 30 minutes and very demotivated if I have to commute to my workout destination. So exercising at home has been helpful and I can tailor my workouts (Fitness Blender has everything: yoga, pilates, barre, HIIT, low impact, cardio, strength, etc, all in different durations. Plus, they’re encouraging and don’t yell at you drill-sergeant style. You, however, are free to yell back at the screen when you’re doing your 30th lunge…..).
I try to squeeze in a little workout around the same time because having a routine is the only way I don’t collapse into a jumbo bag of crisps every day. I’ve found that the short-but-regular schedule has helped me stay on track. Fingers crossed I keep it that way. Good luck with whatever your fitness goals are!
Haha, all these comments reminded me of something a friend told me years ago. She had just given birth, naturally, to a 10 lb baby and she told me that her previously very prim midwife told her “make sure you do your pelvic floor exercises, otherwise when you have sex it will be like waving a pencil around the Albert Hall”!!
In the nicest voice possible – Pilates is NOT easy! There are levels. Get to advanced and it kicks your ass. It kicks your ass before advanced. Nothing changed my body more.
After bouts of a bad back and knee problems I decided to treat myself to personal training sessions and I have to say they have worked a treat… I actually look forward to going and knowiythat I’ll be worked really hard but my trainer will also respect my injuries. Not cheap but worth it!
A 20 minute run and 20 push ups three times a week is all you need! Even twice a week. Plus I would add pelvic floor exercises. A personal trainer is a very good idea too.
You may want to try Modibodi (or Thinx are apparently good too) Period Panties as a part of your kit- they’re awesome for all sorts of occasions ;)
https://www.modibodi.com
Lol! Enjoyed the picture you painted! It feels like I was sweating right beside you. Good on you for getting up and about!
I’ve also tried getting fit this year. The first jog I went on, I almost died. I tried to keep up with my hubby, who is about a freaken’ meter taller than me (25cm). Needless to say. almost died. Did I mention this happened after 750m? But… by the end of our summer, I could go for about 3km before wanting to puke. There is hope yet. Unfortunately, now we have winter. Now that it is dark and cold, the closest to exercise I get is jumping up and down like a madwoman on one of those Nike app workouts. In my living room. Or in the kichen. Let me tell you…. Running fit does not mean you will be able to ‘plank’. At all. It will feel like you were in a car accident for the next few day. Highly recommended!
Good luck with getting fit. I am sure you will be making exercise videos soon…
I’m a bit of a fitness nut and teach yoga too so didn’t think I’d fall victim to a weak pelvic floor post baby. However!!! I was horrified to discover at my first yoga class back (granted it was only 6 weeks later) that my vagina was now a gaping black hole that Stephen Hawking would have been thrilled to discover and I fanny farted my way through the entire class. It’s a wonder the vacuum I was making didn’t create a new solar system.
Things have much improved a few months down the line but only because I’ve been working like a dog on my pelvic floor exercises as unfortunately I took a mirror to see what was going on with my undercarriage only to find that I could see all the way up to my tonsils. I did star jumps yesterday and whilst most people were groaning in pain I was smiling like a loon that I wasn’t pissing my pants.
Crying
Ha ha !! I wondered how the “ sex burns” would get explained. Good job to get going again! I find that just hitting the ground running and making sure to prevent injuries is the best way. Nothing like a good sweat! (As I sit on the sofa typing this, after skipping body pump class this am:)
You are so entertaining
Thank you Carla x
This made me laugh and shudder in equal amounts! I started HIIT classes after a very long dry gym spell and although it almost killed me, I keep going back for more! It takes approx 3/4 sessions before you really feel like you’re getting ‘used’ to the classes (you never completely get used to them, there would be no point going if they got easier!) You’ll be surprised how it becomes addictive, I never thought I’d be one of those people who misses the gym when they don’t go, however I am currently going through my third round of ivf so all exercise has been put on hold for the moment and I have to admit I am desperate to get back to it. Persevere with it, you might surprise yourself!
I love exercise (yes, I’m a sicko) and would probably do it 6 days a week if I didn’t have two young girls taking up all my time. Haven’t been able to find the energy to do it for the last 3 months but I’m hoping to get going again this weekend…maybe.
A great workout to rebuild your core/pelvic floor is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyluWbtdazA
I used it after my babies and it helped tighten up everything!
Angela at Blush & Pearls
I just did an at-home HIIT workout last night at 9PM – perhaps not the best choice for sleep but I got it in nonetheless. I do Fitness Blender’s workouts and Barre 3 at home, and then I hit up Jazzercise when I need a dose of humanness. Your writing cracks me up. So witty. Also, I did pelvic floor therapy. It’s a thing. You can get your ‘tone’ measured and everything. Women’s health is hitting the big time.
Get a personal trainer! It seems luxurious and expensive but it is worth it. I have problems with knees and hips and when I went to a class I always had pain afterwards. A good personal trainer can modify exercises and help you build up fitness. In the long run it has saved me money on dokters and physical therapy.
Ruth, your comment about sausage meat in Lycra rings so true with me! I had gotten really fit and looked presentable but then needed major surgery that started with an abdominal hysterectomy and then involved faffing about with my liver and one kidney. Imagine my surprise when, 2 days post op and with an incision that ran from hip bone to hip bone, a physiotherapist turned up and had me doing pelvic floor exercises and more. Amazing NHS.
It’s been 18 months now. Pre-op, I did Pilates, HIIT and lifted medium weights. I’ve just started the Bodycoach plan (middle of week 3, so ages to go). Best thing I have done for myself! I’m not planking like I used to and my press-ups are only half reps, but the blancmange-like tummy is already looking like it’ll be waving bye bye if I keep this up. And yes, I try to keep that pelvic floor engaged at all times! Why does nobody tell you that after this sort of surgery, your muscles seem to have shipped out and your lower abdomen feels as if it has been pumped with jelly?
Good luck with your exercise. I hope those sex burns are healing nicely….
Firstly, well done in starting something! I think you’re very brave going straight into HIIT! I do 2 yoga classes and one Pilates each week. This together with a 40 minute walk most mornings appears to keep my 59 year old body in reasonable condition. I do feel that perhaps I need a little more cardio workout in my life but can’t seem to summon up the enthusiasm!
My midwife said to me,
“Do your pelvic floor exercises, or you’ll be that old lady with wet slippers”.
You crack me up by the way, I just love your honest and wit. X
I think you were probably what I call ‘Toddler Fit’.
Up and down stairs all day. Bending to scoop up little ones. Lifting with your core. Hauling little ones in and out of car seats, in and out of high chairs. Hoisting up 2 children at a time. You have gotten more exercise and are stronger than you think.
Once my fellow passed the age of being carried, I picked up a friend’s toddler and almost stumbled under the weight of a 3 year old.
See? Toddler Fit.
Oh I like it. Toddler fit. Done my exercise for the day, now I can have a magnum etc.
That is the most awesome description i have ever heard. I almost feel proud of being toddler fit. I know i should do some exercise, i just get tired just thinking about it.
Today i had to carry my 6 months old in one hand and my almost 3 year old on the other hand and i felt kind off badass.
Now you’ve made me think of that awful and aggressive tena advert with the women on trampets!
Like myself, you’ve had big babies which may mean you have split stomach muscles. Doing crunches and situps aren’t going to do you any favours and will make your muscles split even more causing a doming on your stomach, and it may also be causing your back problem. I did pilates for 6mths before doing any mad exercise. There are YouTube clips on how to check yourself. I’m reasonably fit now but still get problems with my back, and for god sake don’t jump on a trampoline…yikes! Lol xx
Ruth, I can’t believe you would EVER resemble sausage meat in a Lycra tube! Don’t know if this is at all helpful, but a super fit mum (of 3) I know (she used to train up soldiers during their army fitness training…!) advised me that the best way to re-start exercise after babies (when the core muscles – and lots of other muscles – are shot to hell) is by just doing Pilates or yoga for a while (a good while really, 6m to a year). Once the core has been strengthened, more hardcore exercise is so much easier for the body to manage, without getting injured etc. Turned out to be really great advice on my case!
Thank you, that’s great advice!
You’re so welcome. Forgot to say, this advice was particularly relevant if having babies has left you with any changes to your back (I had lumbar pain – I think you mentioned lying down flat is tricky for you now?). Strong core muscles really help prevent the spine from being injured. Sorry, am sure you know all this already, just thought i’d mention in case it’s useful!
I totally agree with the pilates. Also, check to see if your stomach muscles have split, you need to sort those out before doing any situps/crunches as it will cause your stomach to dome. YouTube has a few clips on how to check yourself. It was my osteopath who told me about that as I have back problems. Xx
I’m going to agree with Louise. If your pelvic floor is weakened, you are at risk for prolapse by doing HIIT. Trust me, you don’t want this. I speak from experience and, two lengthy surgeries later, don’t wish this upon anyone! I’m glad you are feeling well enough to exercise and I know it’s hard to do the slow moving stuff.
I agree, I flung myself into a HIIT regime post baby3 and ended up almost needing an operation. Not to be the voice of doom but the women’s physio was AMAZING and I think everyone should be seen by one after having a baby. It should be mandatory. (Not that the nhs can afford that but you get what I mean)
Really worth seeing a physiotherapist re the pelvic floor. You can do stuff now that means you reduce the chance of needing surgery to treat it later. Once oestrogen drops off after menopause it gets much worse so better to get it treated now.
Thanks, I think I will. I’m useless at remembering to do the squeezes!!
Might be worth trying to find a really good pilates teacher that also does pregnancy and postnatal pilates. I was surprised to find out the standard “pelvic floor exercises” aren’t necessary what everyone needs.
I can second this! I have the opposite (?) pelvic floor problem after baby and my Physio has been excellent
Yes I too had the “opposite to normal” pelvic floor issues after having a baby – a pelvic floor in spasm – and my pelvic physio literally transformed my life!
I also find TRX to be very helpful. I was surprised how much TRX strengthened my pelvic floor “by accident” merely as a result of the instability of the TRX ropes.
Oh my god. I’m tired just reading about it. My eldest is 6, my youngest is 2. I have NO excuse.
Its surprising how fast your fitness levels increase. I should start again, I just can’t be arsed!
I feel your pain! I’m currently off exercise with a slipped disc and I’m dying to get back to it and absolutely petrified in equal measures! I usually just exercise at home using Fitnessblender’s videos on Youtube. You look like a prat jumping around in your living room, but you can call them anything you like when they suggest even more star jumps and no one can hear you!