Balancing motherhood with a career can feel overwhelming, especially when it's time to return to work after maternity leave. For three moms, Fit4Mom became a lifeline during this transition, offering them not only physical strength but also emotional support and community. As they embraced motherhood and prepared to re-enter the workforce, Fit4Mom helped them prioritize their health, find balance, and connect with other moms facing similar challenges. Here's a glimpse into Lauren, Mara, and Karla's journeys and how they navigated this pivotal.
1. Who are the members of your family and where are you originally from?
Lauren-My family consists of my husband (Chris), son (Landon-2 years-old), and daughter Quinn (4 months). I am originally from State College, Pennsylvania (GO PSU!)
Mara-I'm originally from Alexandria, VA (Nova for life!!). My family includes my husband, Billy, our son Parker (4.5 months!) and our fur baby, Rigatoni (a beagle).
Karla: My little family is made up of my two kids - 2-year-old daughter, Izel (pronounced e-cell), Nael (pronounced nah-el), Canela(8-year-old dog), my husband Diego and myself. I am originally from Mexico. I came to the United States with my parents when I was three years old.
2. When was your first Fit4Mom class and what do you remember about it?
Lauren-My first Fit4Mom class was May 30th or 31st 2024, and it was at Burke Lake Park with Jade teaching the class for her first time (she did GREAT!) I remember loving being outdoors and how friendly everyone was! After the class, there was a play group and it was nice to catch up with all the other mamas. It felt like a fun, fit, and friendly environment, so I joined Fit4Moms right then and there!
Mara-My first Fit4Mom class was at the end of May, when Parker was only 7 weeks old! I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, but the supportive atmosphere and the camaraderie among the moms quickly put me at ease. It was a great experience to be in a community of other moms who understood what I was going through.
Karla: I took my first class following the birth of my son and once I was cleared by the doctor. I remember being very nervous about attending, I didn’t know what to expect. I was terrified that my son would cry and scream the whole time. It was also nervous about making friends – I didn’t know what to expect from the other moms, was everyone super fit? Were they nice? Was I going to fit in? As soon as I walked into Springfield Town Center, I was greeted by Shannon and a group of moms. Everyone was so friendly and down to earth. I immediately felt welcomed. My son ended up sleeping the entire class but other kids cried here and there, it was nice to see that everyone understood and didn’t judge.
3. What were your biggest challenges when transitioning back to work postpartum?
Lauren-I find there is a lot of adjustment overall. It is challenging to fit in time to use my breast pump with a full work schedule, a bit more energy to get all of us ready in the morning to be on time to work, and sometimes it is a little tough to preserve some energy after work to spend time with my family (two year-olds and infants have a lot of demands, haha!). I'm sure I will get there, though! We have only begun the journey...
Mara-One of the biggest challenges was balancing the demands of my job with Parker’s needs (and my own!). Adjusting to the new routine, managing my time, and dealing with the emotional aspect of being away from Parker were tough. Finding childcare that I was comfortable with and maintaining my energy levels were also significant hurdles.
Karla- I’ve been back at work now for 3 weeks. It’s been an adjustment going from being with my kids all day to only seeing them before and after work. I’ve learned to really appreciate all time I have with them and being mindful about being fully present during that time. It’s also been hard not to be able to go to the in-person classes, however I’ve been incorporating the virtual classes into my schedule.
4. How has Fit4Mom helped you in your post partum journey?
Lauren–Fit4mom is a God send for me. It helped me to get out of the house during my maternity leave and helped me start to get back into fitness. As a result, Fit4Mom classes and relationships helped to improve my mood and self-esteem.
Mara-I tell Shannon all the time that Fit4Mom was a game-changer for me. It provided not just a fitness routine but also a community of support. The classes helped me with my strength and energy, and the connections I made with other moms were invaluable. It gave me a reason to get out of the house, and provided social interactions which were crucial for me especially since I had some PPD.
Karla- I cannot say enough good things about the Fit4Mom community. It’s truly a community. I was the first in my friend group to have a kid and felt very lonely at time. I wish I would have found this community earlier. I’ve come to realize we are all figuring it out and have different ways going about motherhood. There is no right or wrong way, but everyone is very supportive of one another. Fit4Mom not only helped me build a community one class at a time but also helped me gain confidence in myself. My greatest joy is being a mom but that’s not the only part of my identity. I was able to challenge myself, workout consistently (and I did not like working out before Fit4Mom lol!!) and the hard work has paid off. While I still have a long way to go, I feel good about where my body is right now.
5. Can you share any specific moments or achievements from your Fit4Mom classes that you're proud of?
Lauren–Honestly, I am most proud of just showing up. I would greet my workouts with whatever energy my body and mind had for that time. Some days I had to take it easy (those middle of the night feeds with an infant are brutal!) and other days I could challenge myself more. I would do my best to just meet the moment and be present.
Mara-I’m really proud of how far I’ve come in terms of my fitness. I can’t list specific moments or achievements since my brain struggles that way but in general, I can tell I am getting stronger. One thing I would say I am proud of is being able to run a full loop at S360 on Sunday mornings! Another momma asked if I wanted to run a 5k with her, and so having motivation and goals help!
Karla-Usually when putting my daughter to bed I try to preview what we are going to do the next day. I asked her what she wanted to do, and she said “ejercicio” which translates to workout. I asked her if she wanted to work out? She responded “Si. Con amigos?” (“Yes” she said “with friends?”). She was so excited that we were going to work out with our friends, her eyes lit up and she started jumping around the room screaming “yay workout with friends!” It’s cool to see that not only have I built a community, but so have my children. She looks forward to the classes. Secondly, acknowledging that weight is just a number on a scale and not the end all be all, I’m back to my pre-baby weight (from my first kid!) which is a shock! I never in a million years thought I would be back to what I was before I had my first kid, hard work pays off!
6. What advice would you give to other news moms who are preparing to return to work?
Lauren-You will figure it out. It may seem overwhelming, and it may feel like it is too much at times, but take that deep breath, remember you are a rockstar, and that you WILL find a way. It may be challenging for a while, and it may look different, but you got this.
Mara-My advice would be to give yourself grace during the transition. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed; it’s a big adjustment. Try to establish a routine that works for you and your baby, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Also, finding a supportive community, like Fit4Mom, can make a world of difference. Prioritize self-care, even if it’s just small moments throughout the day.
Karla- Give yourself grace. I think we often set high expectations for ourselves, so its imporant to remind yourself to take it slow. It’s also important to acknowledge all the feelings you have and just know it’s normal, it’s going to be hard at first but eventually you’ll get into the grove of things.
7. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your postpartum journey so far?
Lauren– Being with my babies :) I really enjoy spending time being present with both of my kiddos.
Mara-The most rewarding aspect has been watching myself grow into motherhood while also rediscovering my own strength and resilience. Seeing my baby thrive and knowing that I’m finding ways to balance both my personal and professional life has been incredibly fulfilling. The support and connections I’ve made through communities like Fit4Mom have also been a significant part of this rewarding journey.
Karla- With my first kid I was in survival mode, everything was so new and scary. With my second, I have been able to enjoy all the milestones and know that even the tough moments don’t last (I swear your kid will eventually sleep, and so will you!). It’s been a good reset and reminder to enjoy all the moments with my kids.