FFG poses in a lame ass way on May 16. This is my “before” photo, taken nearly 4 months after my caesarean operation. Watch for monthly update pics as I get back into shape.
Feminist Figure Girl: Well Hissy Fit, complaining about motherhood is absolutely forbidden, especially to those who have healthy, happy infants. So are you ready to break a social taboo and piss off a lot of people?
Hissy Fit: Bring it.
Ask a Trainer Question of the month!
Hey D! I just read your last post on Lianne’s blog about belly fat. Now there is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I had an idea for another topic, although I’m sure you already have thousands; it is something I’ve always wanted to know: “Do you need to exercise for more than 30 minutes at a time to burn fat?” There are so many different time saving exercise programs out there now, like Tabata, 20 minute interval training etc. As a busy mom, I’m intrigued by this concept of the shorter workout, but am not sure that it would actually burn fat.
Thanks D,
Vanessa
Judina just completed her first year of medical school.
Judina is currently studying medicine at the University of Alberta. She has a BA from McGill and a MA from the University of Alberta, both in art history. During the summer after completing her MA she travelled to Europe where she was overwhelmed by her preoccupation with contemporary art that explored the human body and issues of embodiment. In 2011 she returned to Edmonton, to study for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), complete the prerequisites for medical school, and apply to medical school. After interviewing at four medical schools (in a process called the multi-mini interview, which consists of 10 eight-minute-long ethical scenarios that the interviewee has two minutes to prepare for between stations), Judina began medical school at the University of Alberta in August 2013. The transition from the arts into the monolithic culture of medicine was shocking in a number of ways, particularly in terms of gender, as discussed in what follows by Judina. You can follow Judina on Twitter and Instragram @JudinaJ.
Everyone told me that having a baby would change my priorities. That turned out to be somewhat true. Yes, my son is of primary concern, but he has shuffled rather than replaced other interests. Now that my time is tighter than ever—I have always multi-tasked and had too much to do—I have begun noticing which activities remain important in my life, and which ones have been discarded with the excuse that I am “too busy.” You will not be surprised to learn that fitness remains near the top of my list. Yet I was surprised by some of my choices. Below is an accurate list of things that are important to me, and things that no longer make the grade. This confession is based on my actions rather than on any idealized vision of myself. After all, I think that hopes and dreams count for shit. You are what you do and have done, not what you say you are or what you plan to do in the future.
It’s all my fault.
It’s hard not to get upset when you start back at the gym after a prolonged period away. I was off for two full months while recovering from a caesarean section, forbidden by my doctor from lifting anything over ten pounds. I was inclined to follow his advice after reading online descriptions of post-partum women who had ripped their stomachs open by training too soon after surgery. Although I had worked out seriously until I was 8 months pregnant, and then in a somewhat lame-ass way until two days before giving birth, I was shocked by how quickly my fitness level declined. Previously I had done shitloads of full chin-ups, but now I am back on the assisted pull-up machine, managing five sets of five slowly with 50 pounds of weight counterbalancing me. And as for full push-ups? Forget it. I have returned to my knees. How the mighty have fallen. It is truly humiliating.
Feminist Figure Girl's Blog 