Monday Makeover: Postpartum PT Discharged and Working out!

I have some exciting news to share:  After 2 months of physical therapy I have been discharged! Celebration dance over here!!

For the first time in my life I finally feel that I've had success with physical therapy.  Now, in no way do I think my low back issues are gone.  However, I'm stronger and have exercises to do at the gym.  I was told to come back if needed because life happens and my hamstrings are tight (darn genetics!).

For those of you that have kiddos, I highly recommend finding a gym that provides childcare if it fits into your budget. Either that or swap childcare with a friend.  It is so worth it for me right now!  I go to the gym, drop my kids off in the childcare area, and head to the cardio equipment.  After 30 minutes of interval training on the eliptical machine, I do my 30 minutes of physical therapy exercises. 

Once my workouts are finished and I pick up my kiddos(who are just as happy as I am...yup even my 6 month old is all smiles!), I'm in a much better place to take on the world!  My back feels much better, I'm getting my workouts done AND all this is giving me energy to get housework done, do projects and enjoy my kiddos.  I even went grocery shopping last night and enjoyed being pain free!

That's all I have time to share for now, but stay tuned next week..I'm hoping to have pictures of all the pt exercises that are now part of my workout routine.

Links to my other Physical Therapy posts:
May 27th, Postpartum workouts
June 10th: 1st postpartum physical therapy update
July 1: Physical Therapy Update

Monday Makeover: Postpartum PT

After having a baby it is a challenge to get workouts in.  And, even more of a challenge with back issues.  My body just doesn't do well recovering from a pregnancy and it takes time. I'm hoping tomorrow to add in some bike riding, but I've barely had time to get my pt exercises done.

I have almost been in physical therapy for 1 month.  I'm starting to feel like I'm gaining some strength!  Although, I'm pretty sure I did too much this week because my back has been sore, and not necessarily a good sore. I see my physical therapist tomorrow.

My pt exercises consist of:

bridges...lots and lots of bridges (I've decided this is a form of torture ;-)

planks and more planks (double ugh, this is tough after having a baby!!)

Those are the main exercises, which means there's always a way for it to be modified as I get stronger.  None of the above exercises have ever been used in my physical therapy in the past, which makes me hopeful that they might just work.  It also means I'm destined to be doing all those exercises for the REST. OF. MY. LIFE.  But, hey, if it works it will be worth all the pain and hard work.  I'm ready to be able to function without back pain.

The above video shows you how to do a bridge(if the video isn't loading or showing click HERE) .  I don't do mine that slow, but at least you will get the proper technique.  That is the basic bridge, which is what I started with.  I have now graduated to crossing my arms while doing the bridge which does make it more challenging.  There are many ways to torture modify, but for now that's what I'm focusing on.

I'll update you when I have more time this month...the next few weeks are a bit busy!