This morning when I woke up, this picture from two years ago was in my newsfeed. I got so excited because I remember the exact feeling I had when I saw this picture for the first time. We were going my husband’s colleague’s wedding and I had rented this beautiful designer gown and literally squealed with joy when I saw the size on the tag. I had been working out really hard and eating well since having my daughter and this was the first time I saw an image of myself and felt genuinely happy with how I looked. I actually remember my eyes welling up with tears from the pride of feeling all those days of hard work had finally paid off.
So today, less than three months after having my son, and not exactly thrilled at the prospects my closet held as I got ready for a meeting, I again got really excited again seeing this picture because I knew I was on my way to that feeling again. I quickly did the mental math in my head. My daughter was born in late December and this was early June, so it would have taken me about 6 and a half months to get to this point.
Wait a second……that is not a 6 month old I am holding in my arms, it is a toddler. OH SNAP. THAT IS NOT 6 MONTHS POST….IT IS 18 MONTHS POST!!!!! All of a sudden my stomach sank and my eyes welled up for another reason.
I’ve never been too concerned with the concept of skinny. I do however love the feeling of fit. I am a self described fitness addict and I adore seeing the results of hard work. I loathe not feeling like myself in my own skin. However in this world of silver bullets and instant gratification it is easy to forget that the real game changers are persistence and time.
I’ve seen it a million times over in my practice when patients give up on their sessions because they don’t feel they are getting anywhere. I know from experience and often tell them it takes 14 to 16 weeks to see change. That change may not be monumental change either. It might be a small change or a change only noticeable to those who know you well. The point is, the photo this morning gave me my own reality check.
This is achievable but it is going to take time. Beating myself up about it won’t make me feel better and it won’t speed up the process.
With that in mind I stripped down to my underwear and took another photo. A before photo. Then I went downstairs, made a spinach and strawberry protein shake, grabbed my running shoes and headed out the door.
+Melanie Stevens Sutherland, Clinic Director & Senior Orthopaedic and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Melanie is a graduate of McMaster University and brings 20+ years of experience as a senior physiotherapist to Body Co. She has enjoyed a long tenure working with active populations at prestigious sport medicine clinics. Past clients include Provincial, National and Olympic level athletes as well as members of the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, the Ontario Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the National Lacrosse League and Major League Soccer.
Following the birth of her own children, Melanie developed a strong interest in women’s health. She has taken specialized courses in pelvic floor physiotherapy and women’s nutrition. She is passionate about helping women find strength and confidence in their post-natal bodies following pregnancy and delivery.
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