I’m just about 2 weeks postpartum (tomorrow actually) and almost feeling like my old self. With the launch of my new STRONG LIKE MOMMY Prenatal ebook and getting back on track with some functional movements (along with posting a handful of progress photos), I’ve received about a dozen private (and some public) messages about my Postnatal activities such as quickly returning to Deadlifts and Squats. Some of admiration and also some of concern.

To be perfectly clear my current lifting is a fraction of my pre-pregnancy activities. Because I feel stronger and functional (and I received the green light by my doctor because my recovery was right on track) it was perfectly okay for me to return to my regular activity…choosing Squats and Deadlifts as my principal movements.

Not surprisingly to most women these 2 particular exercises (Squats and Deadlifts) seem very daunting. For most new moms, these 2 movements might even look DANGEROUS in addition to being very unorthodox and “not at all feminine” (what is that anyways?).

Just to back track I consider myself very active…right from the age of 4 (when I began Dance) up until now with Fitness being my chosen profession. My new STRONG LIKE MOMMY ebook documents my Prenatal journey with the purpose of my strategy being a HEALTHY and FIT pregnancy allowing me to seamlessly recover back to MY TYPE of regular activity.

*** Of course volume, intensity, and degree of difficulty varies from person-to-person and always get clearance from your doctor before engaging in strenuous activity ***

For me starting off with Squats and Deadlifts was a natural decision and my first choice of exercise for function, mobility, and overall strength – all for the purpose of enjoying activity WITH my son Jackson.

Now what exactly is the relationship of Squats/Deadlifts to my Baby Boy? What most people don’t realize is some of the WORLD’S BEST SQUATTERS and DEADLIFTERS are…dum, dum, dum…CHILDREN.

Yes. CHILDREN.

Their form and range of motion is flawless. Their ability to lift objects in relationship to their body weight is extremely impressive. A child’s conditioning is superhuman (hahaha). That being said, compare this to the functionality and mobility of sedentary individuals and we have a stark contrast in difference here.

The Squat and Deadlift are basic, functional movements so to avoid them means missing out on the enjoyment of thoroughly being a part of your child’s physical growth and development…which I’m not going to do.

“Coach JVB is ALWAYS going to be able to keep up with my (future) Coach JVP” 🙂