For those closely following my story — especially these past two years when I have been pregnant with twins, given ʹʹbirth and embarked on a post-partum fitness journey — hi there!

Today’s topic will give a brief overview of how it’s going, the road blocks I’ve encountered and, of course, a special note to inspire and encourage my other fit moms out there.

• Patience

Jeez! I can’t think of a more helpful quality when it comes to exercise. I started back at about three months post-partum and it felt amazing. I was so happy in the gym environment. It was great. But I was quickly reminded that I had just undergone the biggest physical transformation a woman can go through. I quickly learnt to readjust workouts to suit my new body and then patiently waited — for things to become easier, for my body to respond and the weight to fall off.

What I did not do was stress. The babies, their changing sleeping patterns and moods and my lack of sleep and ever changing hormones were stress enough. LOL.

• Understanding

You have to understand what you’ve gone through, how your body has changed, your mobility has changed ... shoot ... your mindset has changed. Once you realise this it becomes easier to accept that things are different and plan accordingly.

Be kind to your body, be kind to yourself. The same way you show kindness and understanding to other moms, do so for yourself. The kinder and more understanding you are of yourself, the less stress you have, the easier workouts and nutrition become. The baby fat will melt away.

• Acceptance

You just went through an amazing, life-bringing transformation. People will often mention the snap back, never fully allowing moms to adjust to their new bodies, nor accept that their bodies have in fact changed. It’s so toxic.

Accept that your body will never be pre-baby, so there is no ‘snap back’. Instead, marvel in what you just accomplished, improve this new and amazing life-creating body, allowing yourself to just be. I enjoy watching my old workout videos as a reminder of my pre-baby greatness. I’m so empowered now by what my body did that it propels me forward to be even more amazing in my fitness journey — never wanting to ‘snap back’, but rather be even better!

Patience. Understanding. Acceptance.

Be patient. Show understanding. Practice acceptance.

I know social media — and maybe even witnessing my post-partum fitness journey — may be discouraging. You have to remember this is your journey, your body, your story. Never compare, only be inspired.

I love this platform, transparency and conversations — which only aim to inspire and encourage us all to move more and live healthily and unapologetically in our fitness and wellness journeys. I encourage you to sit back and make note of where you are in your journey; make the necessary changes and storm forward towards your goals.

It’s an amazing thing when you focus on self and witness your own transformation. Enjoy that!

Dre Hinds is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict”. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com, 599-0412 or @Absbydre on Facebook and Instagram