I cannot wait for week 13, magic time is supposed to begin then. I am supposed to begin having loads of energy, stop feeling like even lifting my hand is a lot of work, and go on with business as usual. Until then, it will continue to be a battle everyday.
I have my first corporate client today. I postponed leg day to tomorrow because I want to conserve energy, I don't want to disappoint, I still bring it to my classes and I will bring it today. It's funny, I thought that this pregnancy would slow down my personal growth, the expansion of my career, but it hasn't. This week I have four new classes and I am adding more to my "arsenal". As soon as we have quorum, we are going to have a class for expectant moms, and another one for getting our sexy back after having our babies. We are unstoppable, we manufacture human beings and smile while doing it (most of the time anyway). This little moran baby inside me has reminded me how important it is to consider these groups while structuring fitness classes, and how their special needs need to be taken care off. So here's my consideration list for pregnant and post partum clients, why they are special, and why we need to treat them different.
1. No matter how civilised, hormones still affect us. Be sensitive to hormonal changes taking place within a woman's body. She is more likely to be irritated by touching, strange smells, noises that are not part of the class. Motivation methods cannot be drill sergent-like. Those are more likely to de motivate.
2. Beware that this group is full of sleep deprived, food craving creatures. Sleep is essential to any program, however, because of body changes, crying new borns and other siblings to take care of, mothers and mothers to be are usually running on low. Avoid sessions that go on for too long and or are on high intensity through out even with previously conditioned exercisers.
3. Although they are doing the most important job in the world, they are the most unappreciated and will suffer from a low self image and esteem because of their changing/changed bodies. Women need to feel beautiful even at 2 weeks over due, or a month after a CS with a CS overhang that looks impossible to defeat. Do not chide about size, make jokes that you expect them to laugh at, they won't. It will just show your ignorance. Be realistic in raising their expectations, do not tell blatant lies on how long it will take. Be gentle but be truthful.
4. Be creative - There's more to abs than crunches and planks. Especially post partum, core strength is nil, work on building this, the rest will come easy.
5. Focus on what makes their lives easy - For example, in early pregnancy, I try not to miss a back and leg day, this is because I need a strong back and strong lower body for what is coming. I never miss out on compound lifts because of core strength and have refused to give up running until I absolutely have to. For new mothers, focus on posture, a lot of back pain occurs because of bending over for household duties and wrong "form" breast feeding. Do your research, give advice on what to do at home to prevent aches and pains.
If all else fails, give me a call. I'm in the thick of things, after complaining for two minutes, I'll let you know how I try to deal with things as they happen.
Have a terrific week! Keep active!
