Had a Baby? No Excuse.
Look, I’m a man. So I’m not going to pretend I can imagine the burden put on the body by having a baby.
But I do completely understand it from a training standpoint – the hormone fluctuations, the atrophy, muscular imbalances, etc.
Check out professional tennis player Kim Clijsters.
Tennis is a sport of youth, where females players peak in their late teens and early 20s, and begin the twilight of their careers before their mid-20s. They have to take advantage of every day they can play, stay at the top of their game, and delay childbirth until their career is over.
Except Kim Clijsters. In the midst of her career, she gave birth to her daughter. I know many women that use childbirth as an excuse to hold onto extra weight, become complacent and not return to pre-baby condition. However, Clijsters did come back and was able to play at the professional level again.
That in itself is a big deal – being able to compete with other women that were much younger and that hadn’t had a child yet. But she did more than compete.
She won the 2009 US Open. Then the 2010 US Open. Now, she’s heading toward the finals of the 2011 Australian Open. “But I’ve had a baby” or “Yeah, wait until you have a baby” aren’t things that’ll come out of her mouth.
And don’t forget about Dara Torres.
Mom, Olympic Swimmer (Like 5 different Olympiads?), Silver Medalist in the 2008 games… Yeah, that was the last Olympics. She looks like this:
Think she hides behind having a child? She’s considering an attempt at the 2012 Olympic Games.
You can do what YOU want to do. Having a baby is NOT the end of your physical peak. Celebrate your NEW life – I’ve personally witnessed it and assisted so many new mothers – if you want your best body ever post-baby, you can have it!
Boyd Myers
Personal Trainer in San Antonio
Owner, San Antonio’s Top Personal Training Studio
16613 Huebner Rd (corner of Huebner and Bitters)
210.391.1454
