The Power of Exercise

Cynthia Horvath
Oct 16, 2017
3 min read

My first run at 4 months postpartum went terrible!

3 miles in 35 minutes when I used to run 4 miles in 30 minutes.

Plus I couldn't even run the whole time, I kept having to stop because I would cramp, lose my breath and even feel my chest want to close my air way.. I was so angry with myself,

“I'm better than this. It's just 3 miles! I used to run more than this without a problem, why can't I now!?”

“Cynthia! You just had a baby and your breastfeeding, give yourself a break!”

“But I was in better shape at 9 months pregnant than I am at 4 months postpartum!”

(Conversation with myself)

At that moment, I knew something had to change. I'm in the National Guard, so I was going to have to pass a physical fitness test soon too. Plus my enlistment contract was coming to an end and I wanted to re-enlist as well but that needed a physical fitness test on file too.

One day as I was scrolling through Facebook, a mother of a 1 year old popped up on my feed of how she was hiking and nursing he little one in her carrier, then she even had videos of how she adapted her workouts to let her use her baby carrier. I followed her feed for a few days and watched intently when she posted a sneak peek of her program and her job.

SHE'S A COACH! She works out, motivates others and guides women like me on fitness journeys postpartum! I want that! But was I willing to commit time, money and effort?

I talked to my husband, I told him how I felt about my fitness level, how angry I was at myself for not being able to run 3 miles and that I wanted to try this program but I wanted to be a coach too.

I wanted to use my journey, how I felt about myself to get other mothers in the same boat to learn to love their bodies as well.

My husband loved the idea, “Go for it, if that is what you need, do it!”

So I started in June, 30 minute workouts each day with my son either strapped to me or used as a weight. I did that for 3 months and I felt AMAZING! I was getting toned, I was drinking shakes for breakfast instead of snacking on whatever I could grab, I was motivated which lead to me being more productive at home. My son was happier, my husband was happier all because I felt better about myself.

I went from running 12 minute miles at 4 months pp to 9 minute miles at 7 months pp. I went from weighing 128lbs to 120lbs, which the weight wasn't my concern it was my fitness and energy level.

I feel better than I did pre-baby, stronger than I did and so much happier than I did pre-baby.

I feel like Super Mom running off Jesus, coffee and shakeology!