How Motherhood Transformed My Workout Routine — And Why It’s the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to My Fitness

What it was / what it is

Before I became a mum, working out was more about aesthetics for me. I’d hit the studio to tone up, slim down and get my abs on fire. I wasn’t interested unless it made me hurt. Anything so I could do to “earn” that extra treat or fit into a top i’d longed to. Fitness was quite literally a checklist, a mirror goal and a means to an end. But everything changed the moment I became a mum.

Becoming a mum has reshaped my relationship and love with movement in ways I never expected. (My journey did not start out like this post birth thought!) These days, I don’t work out to look good — I move to feel good. My priorities have completely shifted, and honestly? I’ve never felt more connected to my body.

Movement, Not Pressure

Gone are the long studio sessions and rigid workout schedules. Now, I fit movement into pockets of time between work, naps, messy play, beach days and everything in-between. Some days it’s a walk, other days it’s 10 minutes of stretching while Esme plays tea parties with her teddies. And you know what? That counts. It counts for so much!

Every bit of movement I manage to squeeze in is no longer about burning calories — it’s about giving something back to me. When so much of my energy goes toward nurturing little human (super rewarding in itself), these small moments of movement feel like self-care but actually help me be a better mum for it.

Mental Health First

One of the biggest shifts has been realising just how crucial exercise is for my mental health. The emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood is no joke — the sleepless nights, the hormones, the overwhelm, at one point I really didn’t know who I was anymore. Poor Alex having to cope with a gittery woman on the edge of breakdown. Moving my body helps me find a sense of balance again. Even a short burst of movement outside or in the playroom can clear the mental fog and help me feel more like me again.

I thought i’d snap back but two years down the line, I know It’s not about snapping back at all. It’s about grounding myself in my body, even when it feels unfamiliar. It’s about honouring and respecting what it’s doing and done — not punishing it for how it can’t do what it used to! It actually feels so restful in my mind rather than taking it out on myself when I miss a day!

Grace Over Grit

The old me chased discipline and consistency, time and power. The new me chases little and often BUT short and effective. I’ve learned to let go of the all-or-nothing mindset and embrace whatever I can manage in the week. My days change daily, it’s blooming hard to keep to a routine, so why the hec should I be so hard on myself on something thats out of my control! My workouts aren’t perfect, but they’re purposeful. I’m showing up for myself in a way that feels gentle and sustainable — and that feels like a BIG win.

A New Kind of Strength

Motherhood has made me stronger — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. I’m proud now of what my body has done, and continues to do, every single day. Man I’ve never known sleep deprivation like it, the feeling of what blooming time it is and what is up or down? I don’t need abs to prove that I’m strong. I just need to keep showing up for myself, in small, meaningful ways.

And guess what, there’s something SO beautiful about the process of coming back to yourself. After something that for some of us it quite literally the most traumatic event in our lives (this was me) coming back to a place of clam in our bodies is just incredible. I had this conversation at the studio the other day and I genuinely believe my practice is better now than it was before as I am starting from the bottom up, making sure I get things right before I rush on to the next thing - something I DID NOT DO before!

To all the mums out there: your workout routine doesn’t have to look like it did before. Your body is different, and that’s okay. Your why is different now also, it’s blooming beautiful. Embrace the new mum lifestyle, get your body moving when you can and give your self gratitude when you do. Stop this self blaming nonsense, take a look at what your body has done… you’re amazing!

Let movement be a gift, not a punishment.

You deserve that time. You deserve that breath. You deserve that space to reconnect with yourself.

Want to move and feel amazing in a non judgmental, no pressurised way? Then come along and join me in the Pilates Mum Hub. Movement to make you feel good, give you strength and believe in yourself!

Lucy x💞x