Tracy Anderson has been all over the map the last couple years for training Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and Courtney Cox. Her methods have helped get the ladies "stronger than ever", thus giving her more cred as a trainer. That means more visibility and opportunities to help women feel better about their bodies by getting strong and healthy. Unfortunately, she went to far and threw this opportunity out the window. Tracy Anderson was quoted in a New York Times Magazine article saying,
"A lot of women use pregnancy as an excuse to let their bodies go, and that's the worst thing," Anderson told the magazine. "I've seen so many women who come to me right after [having children] with disaster bodies that have gone through hell, or they come to me years later and say, ‘Oh, my body is like this because I had three kids.'"
Following Min's Aug. 17 article in the New York Times, More magazine editor-in-chief Lesley Jane Seymour told "Good Morning America" that women need to remember celebrity moms might drop weight instantly, but they have resources that most people don't.
“[Celebrities] have $40,000 exercising gurus. You’re not being paid for that. That is not your job. They have to get in shape in two weeks because they’ve got to go on the set. That is not the normal human being," she explained.
Having worked throughout my 15 years in the health and fitness industry, emphasizing Pre and Postnatal fitness specifically for 7 years, the pressure on new Moms to get back into their skinny jeans and pre-pregnancy weight is unfair and intolerable. Often it comes from the magazines such as US Weekly, People, and many others. Magazines that give celebs incredible amounts of money for the first photos of the babies, which display the new Moms in their skinny jeans and stilettos pushing a pram. It is unfair to highlight these unrealistic expectations. What Tracy Anderson did was encourage them, and sadly share words directed at a group of women who are already trying to figure out how their "new body" is supposed to work.
According to the ACOG guidelines, most women can't start strenuous exercise until 4- 6 weeks post delivery. Some may require less time, and for some, add more time if there were delivery complications and/or a C-Section. Women should gain an average of 25-35 pounds and make sure they are keeping active and fit throughout their pregnancy, to help for an easier delivery and recovery. RECOVERY! Not RUSHCOVERY!!!
I do understand the need to remind women that it is 9 months on and 9 months off. Some of my goals for my clients during the first year postnatal are:
1. Buy yourself a new pair of jeans that make you feel GOOD about yourself. Cut out the size, because it will be different than your prenatal jeans, but wear jeans that make you feel good. DO NOT maternity jeans when postnatal after the first two -three weeks. They affect your mind and self esteem.
2. Walk, walk and walk some more with your baby. Get outside, feel the wind on your cheeks, and find some hills. Try to add a bit more distance each week.
3. Be proactive and productive with your training time, since your time is limited when a Mom. However, take it step by step each week. ie: Don't start training where you left off at Cross Fit before you had a baby, since your body performed one of life's biggest marathons and needs time to heal. The first workouts can be gentler and go a long way.
4. Make sure to enjoy where you are at, and breath along the way. Try not to emphasize a certain goal size or dress you want to wear, but enjoy each step embracing your body as it gets stronger. Often, when training efficiently and effectively, you are stronger and faster post natal. One of the reasons...you KNOW your workout time is yours alone and a special commodity. Use it wisely, and while getting stronger, pat your back after each workout that you accomplished something for you.
5. Remember, you now have a little one who looks and follows every move you make. You want them to always have the highest self esteem and embrace their sweet little body. Embrace yours too, each step along the way.
Real life as a trainer: I have trained hundreds of women throughout the years, myself included. Each pregnancy is different, and each experience post natal is different. Sometimes the weight comes off easier than others. Some times Moms watch their diet to closely, and they lower their breastmilk supply which affects their kids. Sometimes, unexpected events pop up hindering you from being active.
One thing is the same --- a healthy mom is a HAPPY mom.
If you are stressing so much on what you weigh and fitting into a pair of Seven jeans, rather than focusing on getting strong and active, you will never be happy. Before you know it, your kids will be 5 years old and you might not like those favorite skinny jeans anymore. AND you might not remember your time with them as much because you were stressing about your weight instead of about being in the moment. Be active with them, teach them to love their bodies, nurture your soul and theirs by PLAYING! Before you know it, you will be stronger both physically and mentally than you were prenatal... since you have retrained your body how to work...and how to live healthy and happily. Live is to short not to, it truly is.
Enjoy each moment since the only thing in life we don't get back is time. So please, don't waste time stressing about not being a size 0 when you are 6 weeks postnatal. It truly is not worth it!
Much love to you- Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey
Mama to Makenzie age 8, Emerson age 4.5 years
