IM=X Pilates | Getting Back Into Shape After Baby July 19, 2017 | Warning- this post is a doozie. Proceed with caution. Don’t let that scare you off, this truly is a big piece of my heart that I’m so glad to finally get off of my chest. I said it in last week’s post, but I’ll say it again…nothing about pregnancy and/or postpartum comes easy for me. I don’t cope well with the changes that my body goes through and I’m learning that it’s OK to mourn your pre-pregnancy body and to work really hard to get it back. I gained 40 pounds with each of my pregnancies, but the way that the weight is coming off is looking a lot different this time around. I have to be honest, when women told me “it’s a lot harder the second go round” I would roll my eyes and think “yea ok.” By 3 months PP with my first daughter I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight (I even had the doctor thumb back through my chart to confirm that) and now here I am 3 months PP again and I still have about 15 lbs left to lose. It’s been discouraging and very challenging for me to work through because my business is based around feeling confident…and honestly some days lately I can’t even fake it because I’m just not confident in my own skin. Turn on your JavaScript to view content Track Jacket | Alo Leggings | Sports Bra | Nike Tank | Sneakers | Sunnies (see all RayBan sunnies HERE) I was cleared to workout pretty early on since my post-birth recovery was amazing and I worked out up until the day that I delivered. I started to run again but I truly felt like a wobbly giraffe trying to find her legs. It felt like I was doing more harm than good and, on top of that, the scale didn’t budge. I knew that I needed something different (I’ve been running 8-10 miles a week since college so my body was very used to it) and I knew that I needed to work on my core above all. I had pretty severe diastasis this go round (the separation of your ab muscles), so I wanted that to be the main focus. When I reached out to you guys via Instastories and asked how you got back into shape after baby SO many of your suggested that I try pilates. See all Golden Goose sneakers HERE. I was very curious as to how pilates worked for so many of you guys, as I never really saw it as a viable option for myself. I’m used to heavy heavy cardio based workouts and come from the mindset that if you aren’t dripping sweat by the end of a workout that you really didn’t get a good one in. Thankfully, I kept researching the core principles behind Pilates, because it turns out that it was a perfect fit for me all along! Let me introduce you to IM=X Pilates here in Charlotte (although they have locations across the country as well). IM=X is a boutique pilates studio with a focus on the Pilates reformer (Xerciser) machine. The studio is just right down the street from my house, so after I dropped Landry at camp one day, I decided to check it out. Not going to lie, the machines looked very intimidating at first, especially for a girl who is not used to pilates or group exercise at all. After talking with Laura (the studio owner) at length about my situation and goals, she encouraged me to come in for a free class. One class later and I fell in love with this new way to workout. The Xerciser machines are SO versatile and I got one heck of a full body workout in 55 minutes. The resistance springs and sliding carriage on the machine allow you to isolate different muscle groups, as well as keeping your core engaged for an entire 55 minutes. There’s also a jump board attachment (see a few photos down) that we use for cardio work and even some standing barre moves. I never for the machines to be that versatile…not one class that I’ve been to have we done the same sequence of work…which I love! Best selection of designer activewear HERE. Two things that I should mention that are amazing for everyone, but specifically postpartum moms…there’s a HUGE focus on strengthening your pelvic floor and you are encouraged to breathe using pursed lips. What the heck does this mean?? Well your pelvic floor is also known as your kegel muscles and we all know that those muscles support your uterus and bladder and it’s SO important that you keep them strong, especially after childbirth. The instructor reminds you during each move to focus on your pelvic floor, which is awesome because otherwise I would have never thought to. Pursed lips breathing is a method of breathing where you inhale through your nose and exhale through tightly pressed pursed lips. This type of breathing allows you to engage your deepest abdominal muscles and ensure that your spine is always supported. It’s also allowed me to strengthen my core through each and every exercise during class, which was one of my main goals. Alo Leggings | See all leggings on SALE HERE Laura and I decided to partner and I committed to blogging through my pilates journey! We are so confident that 3 months of hard work at IM=X will completely re-sculpt my postpartum body and I’m so excited to share it all with you guys. I’ve been at it for 3 weeks now and can already start to see the results, which is thrilling! Pilates has a long standing motto of: “10 sessions, you FEEL better, 20 sessions you LOOK better and 30 sessions you have a completely new body” What I love is that it’s pushing me out of my comfort zone and I’m working new muscles groups that I otherwise would not have done on my own. IM=X also offers TRX classes AND combination classes, so I’m able to get a wide variety of work in during the week to switch things up and confuse my muscles. Ideally during the past 3 weeks I like to get in at least (2) Xerciser classes, (1) TRX class and (1) interval class, which gives me an amazing variety! I will also add that the instructors have been amazing and call each client out by name during class. It’s always felt so personal and friendly in the studio, making it a lot ea Ok ladies, here goes…me being as vulnerable as possible to stay true to this journey. Here are my before photos. 11 weeks postpartum and 15 lbs over my ideal weight. Raw and real…and terrifying. *Please don’t take these the wrong way. I by NO means think that I am overweight and I fully appreciate that my body gave me two beautiful daughters. I’m thankful for every extra ounce if it means that Lawson is happy and healthy. This is a journey about being strong and healthy and, most importantly CONFIDENT and happy! My arms are never my problem area, but they’ve lost all tone. I’m ready to sculpt them back into shape! Junk.in.the.trunk! Ready to lift and tone these buns! So here we go! My problem areas are definitely waist down and I still want to tone and sculpt abs and arms. Height: 5’9 Starting weight: July 1 | 157 Current weight: July 19 | 154 (already down 3 lbs!) I want to focus a lot less on the scale and a lot more on muscle tone and definition. I want my ideal weight to look a lot less like “she must like Chick-fil-A” and a lot more of like “oh she must do Pilates.” Track Jacket | Alo Leggings | Sports Bra | Nike Tank | Sneakers | Sunnies (see all RayBan sunnies HERE) Turn on your JavaScript to view content I’m so excited to be blogging through this journey with you guys along for the ride! In what feels like an Instagram world of invisible baby bumps and 2 second bounce back rates, I hope that this gives some real inspiration for mamas who are trying to navigate this whole postpartum body situation! Are you in Charlotte? Come try out IM=X with me! We are hosting a free class for Style Your Senses readers and I would LOVE to have you! Sign up for the 7:35 class on Tuesday August 1st via their website and I will see you there! *Can’t make it on August 1st? No worries! IM=X offered THREE free introductory classes each week! Schedule yours ASAP to get started! See the dates and times HERE. Cute new threads always help me to feel confident in the studio. See my Nordstrom Sale favorites below! JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
katrina says July 19, 2017 at 7:44 AM Hi Mallory, Thanks for sharing this! Curious if you are still running too on your “off” days or if you are just doing the Pilates about 4 days a week for now?
Style Your Senses says July 19, 2017 at 10:43 AM Hey Katrina! I try to run on one of the off days…more for the mental reprieve than anything (I’m definitely one of those people who runs instead of seeing a therapist LOL). I try to get in 4 miles a week in combination with the pilates, that gives me 2 off days out of 7.
Haley says July 19, 2017 at 7:50 AM Love this!!! I am 6 months postpartum and back original weight but everything is just not where I want it to be! I just started barre classes so we will see! Can you tell me how many times a week you go? So glad to see a “real” honest journey! It helps to feel like you aren’t alone!
Style Your Senses says July 19, 2017 at 10:48 AM I go 4 times a week and try to run one on one of my off days! And I totally feel ya on things feeling out of place! Keep me updated on your barre journey!!!! xo
Jessica Reed says July 19, 2017 at 8:05 AM I just HAVE to write to tell you that I was seriously thinking the other day “Wow! her post-baby body looks way better than my never had a baby body has ever looked!” You GEAUX girl!
beth vanderkolk says July 19, 2017 at 10:51 AM love this post! i had my 2nd baby right when you had yours- i feel you on this weight struggle!! same experience here- was back to regular weight after my first baby so fast; this time, not so much. my pilates studio has a really annoying schedule, so i quit going there recently. this time i’m trying high volume, low intensity training and metabolic conditioning. lots of circuits with heavy weights and my trainer knows i’m looking for long/lean results, not bulky! wish we luck! pilates is def gonna give you amazing results. and nowwwwwww for the hard part- not indulging in wine/cheese/bread as much as i want! good luck! 12 lbs left to go for me, and lots of toning to do!
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 8:12 AM Beth- Congrats on your bundle!!! I love that we are going through such a similar timeline! Please keep me updated on your new workout–sounds amazing! xoxo
Amber @ Amber Lately says July 19, 2017 at 2:50 PM I love how open and honest you are!! I recently came across your IG a few months back, and love your instastories. I just had my third boy at the end of May, and find this 100% relatable! So you are definitely not alone, sista! And you have also given me motivation to get my booty up and workout. 🙂 XO, Amber
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 8:08 AM Amber– thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Congrats on your new bundle! We can do this! xoxox
Rita says July 19, 2017 at 6:03 PM Mallory, Your body looks great already especially your arms! I too am new to reformer Pilates (almost two months) and love how it clears my head and tones my body. Looking forward to reading more of your journey. Rita
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 8:09 AM Rita- Thanks so much 🙂 Isn’t the reformer so amazing?! I love completely zoning out and not really being able to see what others are doing, just focus on myself!
Lindsey Regan Thorne says July 19, 2017 at 10:41 PM I love this post, Mallory! I so appreciate your honesty and I can relate. Although, we’re so thankful for our children, it’s SO hard to truly feel confident when we don’t like the way we feel, look or the lack of energy that we have. LOVE you and your honesty and I would love to do a class with you one day! You look beautiful, sweet friend! Xo!
Alana says July 20, 2017 at 6:49 AM I’m not one to ever comment on blog posts, but I had to thank you for this post! I feel like you and I are going through the same exact things at the same time. I delivered on 4/27, I’m 5’9″ -140, gained 40, and still have 19-ish hanging on! I’ve so enjoyed following you through this pregnancy/post-pregnancy experience. I love your honesty and am so thankful to read something real — not just another post about how someone lost the weight before they left the hospital room. By the way, most of the time when I read your posts I wonder how you do it all and how you look so great doing it! Thanks again — I really enjoy your blog!
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 8:11 AM Alana- Ah thank you for this! It makes me feel somewhat normal! Funny how similar our stories are! And girl, I assure you I’m the hot mess express just like every other new mama…lol! Keep me updated on your journey!!! xoxo
Laura says July 20, 2017 at 9:53 PM I’d love to know how you’re balancing child care and working out. This is definitely my biggest concern. I know you have to make it a priority, but there’s never a good time for them to be in child care and therefore I do a lot of at home nap workouts.
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 8:02 AM Laura- you’re right—this is 100% the hardest part. My husband has been amazing, as he knows how much this means to me. I either go to the 6am class (leaving a pumped bottle for him to feed the baby) or go to the 6:30pm class when he’s come from work. It definitely takes extra planning, but is so worth it. Once she’s 6ish months, I won’t have any problems bringing her to my gym’s childcare…they are wonderful! Keep up the great work and get it in when you can and however you feel most comfortable…that’s my motto 🙂
Nydia Esparza says July 21, 2017 at 9:57 AM I love this post! While I haven’t had the blessing of becoming a mom yet I know the struggle of weight loss and maintenance! I would really appreciate if through your journey you shared what meals you are eating through the weeks. Are you staying off sugar? Cutting down portions? I followed your journey on the whole 30 and did it myself but I would love to see how you maintain that balance without depriving yourself? Keep up the hard work! I know it is so very hard but one day at a time!
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 7:59 AM Nydia, Thanks so much for your kind words! I am slowly figuring out a meal plan that will work for me, while not compromising my milk supply. I think that it will be very very similar to Whole30 and YES I plan to share 🙂 Thanks for following along, means the world to me! xo
Amanda Bockwoldt Kramer says July 22, 2017 at 2:35 PM Mal, You’ll have to let me know next time you are in town…I recently started instructing at Club Pilates (which also adds in barre and TRX to the traditional reformer class). I’d love for you to take a class!
Style Your Senses says July 25, 2017 at 7:58 AM Ahhhh really?? How fun! I’m sure you are such a great teacher! Would love to come to a class– we are trying to plan a TX trip soon. Hope you’re well 🙂
Maggie says July 25, 2017 at 3:37 PM I also have always run for both my physical and mental health but per my physical therapist, didn’t pick it back up until 6 months postpartum with my first as my diastasis recti was 3fingers wide; instead from 6 weeks, I did a mommy/baby boot camp with lots of arm and legs work and modified ab work. It wasn’t until after my second I found out that as long as you breastfeed, your body continues to release relaxin, making your joints looser and bendier; as I naturally have a stocky build and I’m nowhere near the shape I was in prepregnancy #2, this time around, Ive also picked up Pilates as well as Kangatraining to rebuild my strengths before I pick running back up.
Leslie says July 26, 2017 at 9:02 PM Thanks for sharing your journey! I’m in the same boat and starting barre on Monday! I’m wondering what kind of grip socks you have and would you recommend them?