FitPartum Spotlight: Kelly Depew
Meet FitPartum graduate & fellow KFIT coach Kelly Depew, who is a new mom to 6-month-old Benjamin. Kelly, a previous marathon runner and avid gym lover candidly shares her experience working out post-pregnancy. Enjoy her story below!
I started FitPartum as soon as I was cleared to workout at 6 weeks so my biggest challenge was feeling foreign in my own body and not being able to comfortably do things as simple as squats. I spent the last 6+ years coaching at KFIT, working out 5+ days/week and more recently, running marathons but here I was post-baby and couldn’t walk more than a couple of miles without discomfort. I tried to stay as receptive and open to the postpartum exercise process. It was definitely an ego check, but I trusted that following the FitPartum program would pay off in the long run. There were many days and workouts that I just wanted to feel like my old self, but I knew that I needed to do things the right way if I was going to get back to running long distance.
My primary goal was to get back to running without pain or pelvic floor issues. No one could have guessed that as soon as I was cleared to work out, the entire state would shut down. I literally saw Dr. Kellie Bedoni for my postpartum assessment in early March and a couple of days later, KFIT (my gym) was forced to close. I didn’t even have an opportunity to jump into a class. The FitPartum program adapted to these challenges and allowed me to still workout safely at home. The FitPartum remote program gave me 3-4 workouts a week challenging me based on my level. They also met with me remotely, assessing videos of me and offering feedback based on my videoed form as well as hold me accountable.
Fast forward to July, which is when I actually realized FitPartum had helped me get to where I was. I had been following the remote program for months and by the time I was able to return to KFIT, I was 5 months postpartum. I primarily worked low impact movements and focused on strengthening my core and pelvic floor the last few months on the remote program and when I returned to KFIT in July, I realized that I can actually run and jump without any symptoms! I’m slowly getting back into running. It took nearly 6 months for me to feel comfortable running again, but I’m excited to start adding mileage to my runs again without pain or discomfort. It took some time but I’m definitely starting to feel like my old self.
After I had Benjamin, I was just seeking some sense of normalcy in the new chaos that comes with a newborn and especially a first child. Working out/running has been my outlet for so many years now so I was so excited to get back to KFIT after 6 weeks postpartum. I needed that outlet. Immediately after I was cleared, the state shut down. As a human, the pandemic has been stressful. As a first time parent of a 6-week old baby, the pandemic was isolating and so overwhelming. I am beyond thankful that FitPartum offered a remote option and that I was able to still work with Kellie and Ally. It provided me with the sense of community and motivation that I needed. If I had tried to just workout on my own with no guidance, I would have ended up more frustrated with myself and my postpartum body. FitPartum remote was probably the one thing that kept me sane during those months at home! I highly would recommend FitPartum to any mom!