Postpartum Program Phase 1

You might also like

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 70

WHO IS SHERIDAN SKYE?

If we haven’t already met, I’m Sheridan! Head of Nutrition at Coach Mark Caroll. If you’re
here, you know all about Mark and his world-class training & nutrition methods. And
together, we’re taking that knowledge into the pregnancy and postnatal fitness space.

So thanks for choosing us to help guide you on your journey!

I’m proudly a mum of two under two (send help). I’m also a coach, nutritionist and
registered nurse with a key passion in pre and postnatal training and nutritIon.

Why we teamed up to create this program.

Mark came to me with an idea — creating a pre and postnatal series. His main objective?
To provide women who know and love his methods with a safe, yet highly effective
pre and postnatal program.

Mark noticed that women doing his programs were feeling lost and overwhelmed
through and after pregnancy. We wanted to bring back their confidence.

Something had to change. And we’re that change for you.

2
We wanted to create a resource that was:

Affordable

Easily accessible and

Evidence-based.

There’s a lot out there regarding what you can’t do in your


postnatal period, but we are more interested in showing you
what you CAN DO! And believe me, there’s a lot!

I hope this guidebook gives you all of the above and so much
more. Researching, learning and implementing these exercises
really helped with my pregnancies. And I believe it can for you
too!

How does this program differ from


Mark’s other programs?

This is not a ‘bounce back’ program. In fact, remove that word


out of your vocab.

If you’re here, you’ve most likely come from doing one of the
Coach Mark Carroll series (BBB, YGC or the Challenges). First
off, how amazing are they? Now, this program will feel very
different to the CMC programs you have done in the past. The
workouts are modified, often at times feeling slow-paced or
‘too easy’ at times. There will also be concepts in this guidebook
that conflict with information in Mark’s other guidebooks — trust
us, it’s for good reason:

To get you to an optimal place in your recovery, that way you’ll


be able to tolerate more, increase the intensity and density of
your workouts safely!

We want to get you back into The BBB Series and YGC, and it will
all come in time.

Trust the process.

3
BODY IMAGE
I vividly remember the first glance I got of
my first post-birth body. It was a shock. I
stood there with my empty (jiggly) belly,
an adult-sized diaper, stretch marks,
loose skin, dark circles under my eyes and
thought “wow, who is this person?”.

I felt desperate to ‘bounce back’ into


shape, unaware of how much healing was
needed. Time felt like a luxury that was
so far out of reach. I genuinely wondered
how these Instagram Mums were able to
get to the gym or post one a cute ‘Mum
and Bub’ workout.

And the sleep deprivation…MY GOSH THE


SLEEP DEPRIVATION! Even if I had the time,
where was I going to find the energy?
You’ve probably thought (and felt) the
same way. And if you’re in the newborn
stage you probably haven’t eaten a
vegetable in weeks (or months).

I’ve probably painted the worst picture


of motherhood ever! Now, I don’t share
this to scare you, because it’s actually
amazing. Being a mum is truly the most Things look different and it’s easy to want
rewarding part of my life, yet I want to to ‘fix’ what you see in the mirror. The gym
highlight that it does feel different. At least will always be there, the option to diet will
different to what you’re used to. And it’s
always be there but there’s so much to say
hard not to compare yourself, wondering
about learning to be a mum.
how ‘all those other mums do it.’ I’m here
to say that you aren’t alone. As a mum of two beautiful girls, let me tell
you that it won’t always be this way. You’ll
Somewhere in the beautiful mess of the eventually get a few linked hours of sleep.
fourth trimester, you might feel a strong The stretch marks will fade. You’ll one day
pull to get back in shape — maybe even wake up and feel like you have the space to
before you are ready. I want to say that I cook a nutritious meal and even squeeze
get it, mama! I do — I have been there (as in a 10- minute workout. Your baby will start
I’m writing this I am 9 weeks postpartum to show more of a consistent routine and
myself). Your body probably feels foreign you’ll be able to fill your metaphorical cup
to you right now. I know mine does. more and more. Trust. The. Process.

4
So while this guidebook says you should do X
amount of workouts, there’s no rush to be anywhere
other than where you are. I’m here to give us both
permission to just focus on what really matters in this
period — rest, recovery, rehabilitation, sleep, good
nutrition and our mental health. Everything else will
come with time.

In the meantime, these tips have been


helpful in my own life and maybe they
will be in yours too:

Consume media (socials included) that


represent bodies similar to your own.

Practice gratitude and aim for neutrality.

Compliment yourself on something that has


nothing to do with your body.

Notice and name. There’ll be days where you


feel more down on your body than others. Catch
those thoughts when you have them and name
them. It’s a neutral acknowledgement of what’s
showing up for you. Once you’re aware of your
thoughts you can reframe them.

Here are some


examples:
“I notice that I’m having a thought that my
stretch marks are ugly. That’s interesting”.
“These stretch marks allowed me to carry and
deliver a healthy baby. I am more than my
appearance”.

Mute or unfollow media that makes you feel


worse. This relates to social media. I don’t care
who it is. Even if it’s your best friend of 20 years.
Mute them. It doesn’t have to be forever but just
until you feel more like yourself again.

5
YOUR 6-WEEK CHECK-UP
Women have A LOT of checkups in
pregnancy. Blood tests, ultrasounds and
weeing in cups become the norm. Everyone
seems to really care about how you’re
doing and how your baby is doing. Then…
you give birth. If you’ve had a caesarean
you were probably told to rest and not lift
anything heavier than your baby. If you
had a vaginal birth, my guess is that you
weren’t really told much about how to
recover or how your body works after birth.
And then you go to your 6-week check-up.

Cleared.

Cleared?

‘Cleared’ for sex, ‘cleared’ for exercise,


‘cleared’ to just resume life as normal,
like your body didn’t just through a huge
ordeal just six weeks ago.

But perhaps you’re thinking, it’s fine Ideally, I wouldn’t refer to the process of
because you’ve been DYING to get back birthing the same way I would a typical
into the gym. After all, you’ve experienced injury. But it deserves the same respect.
months of physical changes, having body Muscles, ligaments and other connective
aches and less mobility. Even moving tissue are damaged, and the healing
felt downright uncomfortable as you process takes time. Sure, you’ve been
approached your due date. Now you feel cleared for exercise, but that doesn’t mean
like there’s some freedom in your body, you’re ready to go back to what you were
and that you’re ready to go back to what doing beforehand.
you were doing pre-pregnancy.
You wouldn’t (knowingly) build
But it’s not fine and you’re not ready. your dream house on a cracked
Yes, your mind might feel ready but your foundation. Don’t try building
body is not. full-body strength before
investing in your pelvic floor and
The truth is you NEED a dedicated core. You’ll just end up needing to
period of rehabilitation! tear down that home to re-pour
Trust. That. Process! the foundation.

6
We don’t rush the fourth trimester (aka.
postnatal). It’s reserved for healing,
bonding with the bub, and leaning into
the rehabilitative process. There is no
deadline or strict timeline. We’ll slowly
progress movement patterns in a way
that will:

Teach and implement a restorative lifting strategy

Master movements that will assist in healing

Regain strength during a vulnerable period in


training.

Emphasizing the quality of movement, over quantity


of movement and load.

THESE ARE CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR RESUMING


TRAINING DURING THE POSTPARTUM CHAPTER, REGARDLESS
OF LEVEL OF FITNESS, EXPERIENCE, DELIVERY TYPE, ETC.

7
THE ‘MUMMY TUMMY’
If there is one term I hate more than ‘the bounce back’ it’s the ‘Mummy Tummy.’ But I
do want to touch on the topic as it’s the most common aesthetic complaint I receive.
‘Mummy tummy’ is that extra shelf of abdominal tissue that looks like a ‘pooch’. Women
often complain it makes them look pregnant despite giving birth many months or years
ago.

What is it?
‘Mummy Tummy’ can be a
combination of a few things
including excess abdominal
fat (this can be improved with
a calorie deficit), unresolved
diastasis, and poor healing
of a caesarean scar.

The above picture represents


variations of diastasis recti

Note

The above picture represents


the appearance of a
caesarean section overhang

8
What can you do about it?

We’ll talk more about diastasis recti later on in


this guidebook, but the first thing you can do is
ensure you are training appropriately in your
postpartum period. That means:

Not rushing

Taking rehabilitation seriously

This will prevent worsening an existing diastasis.


This rule applies to women who’ve had a
C-Section too. A C-Section is a significant wound
that needs time to heal. We’ll discuss these in
more detail later on, but we’ll say it again — do
not rush the healing!

If you’ve had a C-Section, I recommend waiting


for 8-weeks postpartum to start this guidebook.
This allows lots of time for the wound to heal. I’d
recommend checking with a doctor or women’s
health physio before starting.

9
POSTPARTUM NUTRITION

You’re probably well versed in macros/calories if you’ve done any of Mark’s previous
guides or challenges, meaning you might expect a lot of talk about energy balance and
deficits in this guidebook. Many of you will start this guidebook when you are very early
into your postpartum period. Some of you as soon as six weeks postpartum and you’re
probably wondering:

Is dieting safe during


this program?

There will be two types of women who will In my opinion, dieting is not ideal in
be doing this program: the early weeks postpartum. I’d highly
encourage you not to choose this goal
Women who have given birth very for yourself — just yet. It’s why we don’t
recently (< 5 months) deep dive into energy balance and
deficits (this comes in the Postpartum
Women who are >5 months Level Two Program). I’ve touched on the
postpartum and want to return body changes that you’ll experience, I
to exercise yet require a period of know that the temptation to diet is REAL!
rehabilitation before increasing their I’m 9 weeks postpartum as I’m writing this
intensity. and every day I fight with my inner mean
girl who wants to diet and lose fat so
I want to talk to the new mamas first. desperately!

10
Some days she almost wins
but then I remind her of a few
things:
My body still has a lot of healing to do. Now I’m not here to tell you what you
Tissue healing can be expected to take should or shouldn’t do with your body. But
12-16 weeks, and more if you’ve had I’m here to say I get it. I know it’s hard. If you
a C-Section. We know that in order to can focus your attention away from what
lose fat, we need to eat fewer calories your body looks like right now, knowing
than our body needs on a daily that there’ll be a time when your body is
basis. Healing requires energy and
healed AND you’re well-rested (those days
micronutrients, which are two things
are coming I promise, I know it doesn’t feel
that a deficit takes away.
like it right now in the trenches but they
are coming) that a fat loss phase might
I am sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation
increases the hunger hormone Ghrelin be more appropriate.
and decreases the satiety hormone
Leptin (which means I’m ‘hangry’ a lot My recommendation for women who
of the time). Couple this with the fact are newly postpartum is to aim for
that I’m sleeping around 3-5 hours per maintenance and focus on slowly
night (not in one stretch, of course) rebuilding the muscle they may have lost
and it means that I have MORE awake during pregnancy.
time and MORE time to eat.

I’m breastfeeding. It requires a


bucketload of extra calories in the first
five months postpartum. So while I
CAN diet if I want to, I’m not in the most
optimal environment for a successful
fat loss phase. Any energy I choose
to restrict will be taking energy away
from my healing and recovery.

11
When is an ideal time
to start a fat loss phase
postnatally?

Before I answer this question, I want to say that


you are under no obligation to dedicate time to
a fat loss phase. There’s a range of other goals
you can choose — strength and building muscle
are two great postnatal goals. But if you WANT to
dedicate time to a fat loss phase, here are my
recommendations.

Wait until you are getting >6 hours of quality


sleep per day. (ideally, I’d say >7 hours but
babies differ a lot in their sleeping habits).

Wait until you have reached established


lactation (more on this later)

If you’re less than 16 weeks postpartum, hold


off on a fat loss phase and give your body
more time to recover.

If you’ve had extensive tearing or a C-Section,


consider waiting until you have fully recovered.

If you tick all of the above boxes and you feel ready to enter into a deficit you will first
need to work out your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). Your TDEE is a sum of:

The calories your body requires for you to simply


Your Basal Metabolic Rate:
exist (exercise or walking is not accounted for here).

The number of calories your body uses for


Your Non-Exercise Activity
subconscious movements such as blinking, fidgeting
Thermogenesis:
etc.

Your Exercise Activity Levels: The number of calories your body burns during
exercise.

The number of calories your body burns to


Your Thermic Effect of
metabolise and digest food (protein has the highest
Feeding:
Thermic Effect of Feeding).

12
Note
You can determine your TDEE at
www.tdeecalculator.net and you’ll This is not appropriate for
set your activity level to ‘sedentary’ if you are breastfeeding women. Please
following this program. refer to the breastfeeding
modules.

We know that in order to lose fat, you need to create a calorie deficit. That means that
you consume less calories than your body burns. From here, you will need to subtract
calories from your TDEE to create a deficit. Though Mark’s other program offers options
of tier one to three cut, we’ll only be doing a tier-one cut for this program. I would
encourage you to opt for a conservative cut in this season of your life. Why? Even if
you tick all of the above boxes, you’re still healing and you probably aren’t sleeping
consistently. We want to get you building as much muscle as possible that would have
been lost during your pregnancy. A smaller deficit decreases the chance of micronutrient
deficiencies and loss from lean body mass. Practically this looks like losing no more
than 0.5kg of fat per week.

For example, if your TDEE is 2200 calories, you will subtract 500 from 2200 to get a 1700
calorie per day target. But if you’re breastfeeding, there are a few things you need to be
mindful of.

Unlike Mark’s other programs you will not need to adjust your calories to account for
metabolic adaptation. If you are following the guidelines in this guidebook you will only
be in a deficit for approximately 4 weeks. From here, I’d recommend jumping into the
Postnatal Phase Two program where we will discuss deficits and builds in far more detail.

To achieve this, you will subtract 500 calories


per day from your TDEE.

13
Macronutrients include:
We covered macronutrients extensively in the prenatal program. Mark also provides
a lot of information on macronutrients in his other programs. But to summarise, there
are three macronutrients. Protein, carbohydrates and fat. Each plays several important
roles:

PROTEIN

Important for satiety, muscle protein Example


synthesis (aka ‘toning’) and recovery. If you weigh 70kg, you will consume 140g of
You will aim to consume 2g per kg of protein per day. (70 x 2 = 140g).
body weight.

FAT

Important for memory, hormonal Example


health and cardiovascular health If you weigh 70kg, you will aim for 70g of fat
(at least healthy fats are, try and per day (70 x 1 = 70).
minimise saturated fat where possible).
I encourage you not to go below 1g It’s important to highlight here that not all
of fat per kg of bodyweight on this fat sources are created equal. At least in
plan. You can go as low as 0.8g per the way of health benefits (calories and
kg of body weight but given the huge calories). Aim to minimise saturated fats
hormonal change your body has and and consume mostly polyunsaturated fats
is undergoing, I like to recommend the such as nuts, seeds and oily fish.
upper end.

14
CARBOHYDRATES

Important for performance, fibre and Example


they are also ‘protein sparing’, so they Protein has 4 calories per gram. If your
are positive when it comes to muscle daily goal was to consume 140g of protein,
retention or gaining muscle. They make you would be aiming for 560 calories from
up the remainder of your calories. protein (140 x 4 = 560). Each gram of fat
Subtract the calories you’ve set aside contains 9 calories.
from protein and fat to determine the
calories you have remaining. If you’re aiming for 70g of fat, you would be
consuming 630 calories from fat (70 x 9 =
630).

In summary, the If your goal was to maintain and your


macronutrient breakdown maintenance calories were 2200, you would
in this example would be: have 1010 calories remaining (560 - 630 =
1010). Then you’ll need to determine how
many carbohydrates you need to fill 1010
140g of Protein
calories.

70g of Fat Like protein, carbohydrates contain 4


calories per gram. In this example, you
252g of Carbohydrate would consume 252g of carbohydrates
(1010 divided by 4 = 252).

Step 1 Calculate your TDEE at www.tdeecalculator.net

Subtract 500 calories from your TDEE if your goal is to


Step 2
lose fat (not appropriate for breastfeeding).
Here’s a short
recap. Step 3 Set your protein to 2.0g per kg of body weight.

Step 4 Set your fat target to 1.0g per kg of body weight.

Step 5 Fill in the rest of your calories with carbohydrates.

15
Do my nutritional
needs change in the
postpartum period?

During pregnancy, the nutritional needs BREASTFEEDING


of your baby are prioritised over you.
This means that women often become
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
deficient in important vitamins and
minerals during their postnatal period.
Stress, sleep deprivation and lack of time
only compound these deficiencies. It’s
damn hard trying to fit in a well-balanced
meal in the fourth trimester (when was
the last time you ate a meal with two BREASTFEEDING
hands or even sat at the dinner table, MACRO &
am I right?). If you’re breastfeeding, your MICRONUTRIENTS
energy requirements will change (more
on that later). Not to mention that your
body is still healing and healing requires
energy and it requires micronutrients.

Now we’re all grown-ups here, we know


that eating our veggies, fruit, some good
fats and protein is an optimal diet. But
consuming a diet that includes a wide
DETERMINING YOUR
variety of micronutrients isn’t always BREASTFEEDING
easy postnatally. In an ideal world, your CALORIES & MACROS
diet will mainly consist of minimally
processed foods that are high in protein,
fibre, iodine, vitamin D, iron, calcium Here are some simple hacks to help you:
and healthy fats. But this is the goal
we want to work toward so let’s adopt Consider a quality meal prep service
a mindset of progress over perfection. (hopefully you’re reading this guide
Maybe today you didn’t eat a single before your baby arrives so you
serving of vegetables, maybe tomorrow can ask your loved ones for a gift
you’ll have one and the small efforts you voucher!).
make each day will compound more
and more over time. Order your groceries online.

Ask friends and family to hold off on


bringing the baby presents and ask
them to prepare frozen meals instead.
Download Breastfeeding
Spreadsheet If you’re reading this before the
birth of your baby, meal prep some
convenient, easy-to-eat foods and
pop them in your freezer.

Bonus points for meals you can eat


with one hand.

16
My favourite convenient, easy-to-eat foods are:

Overnight oats Nuts

Lean deli meats (turkey and Yoghurt pouches

chicken) with a supermarket Hard-boiled eggs


pre-chopped salad in a wrap.
Chopped veggies
Avocado toast
Smoothies
Whey protein
Turkey mince pasta
Fruit
Chicken fried rice

17
MICRONUTRIENTS AND BREASTMILK

Your diet will directly affect the concentration of minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin
B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Iodine, Niacin and Riboflavin as well as the fatty acid
profile of healthy fats such as DHA and EPA.

Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, the best way to achieve a diet full of these vitamins
and healthy fats is variety! More specifically a variety of vegetables, lots of fruit, quality
sources of meat, yoghurt, salmon, chia seeds, nuts, and olive oil.

NON-TRACKING NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES

Whether you are counting calories or following a habit-based nutritional regime it can
be helpful to have some structure and non-negotiables around meals.

18
PORTIONS AND SERVING SIZES A standard serving of:
Protein is the size and thickness of your
Monitoring portion size is an important skill
palm.
to master. It is unrealistic and impractical
to suggest that everyone carries a food Vegetables should cover half of your
plate or the size of your fist.
scale with them everywhere they go.
Adequate portion control is an important Healthy fat is the size of your thumb.
part of managing total caloric intake
Cooked starchy carbohydrates is the
without the need for calorie counting size of a cupped handful.
to ensure healthy weight gain during
pregnancy.

How to
build a
plate
Your hand is
proportionate to
your body, its size
never changes, and
it’s always with you,
making it perfect
tool for measuring
food and nutrition
- minimal counting
required.

19
19
MEAL NON-NEGOTIABLES

1 Include a serving of protein at every meal.

This might be difficult when you are Benefits of protein:


experiencing food aversions and you will
need to do the best you can. Refer to the They form the building blocks for all
module on morning sickness and nausea living cells and are an essential part of
for further guidance on managing the human diet.
food aversions.
They increase satiation (feeling of
Sometime during the second trimester fullness) after a meal.
you will likely experience a decrease
in food aversions and nausea. Take They increase retention of lean body
advantage of your change in appetite mass and muscle.
and prioritise having a serving of protein
at every meal. They support blood sugar levels.

2 Include a serving of vegetables or fruit with every meal.

Vegetables and fruit contain important Constipation can be detrimental to pelvic


micronutrients, minerals and floor health which is why is it important to
antioxidants that are needed for overall manage throughout pregnancy.
health. They are also a major source of
fibre which increases satiety and can Vegetables and fruit are often a common
assist in regular bowel movements. food aversion. Again, do your best to get
in some vegetable and fruits when you are
experiencing food aversions or nausea and
know that there are better days coming.

20
Fibre Rich Food
Broccoli, cabbage, strawberries, blueberries, legumes, black beans,
oatmeals, All Bran, psyllium husk

3 Include a serving of essential fats with every meal

Essential fats cannot be made by the EXAMPLE


human body and must be consumed
through our diets. Essential fats are
Fatty fish such as salmon (major
important for:
source of EPA and DHA)

The development of a baby’s brain


and eye site Nuts

Managing blood sugar levels


Seeds
Satiation

Optimal functioning of sex-hormones Avocado

Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins


such as vitamins A, D, E and K Olive Oil

4 Include a serving of starchy carbs at every meal

Carbohydrates have a bad rep!

But did you know the brain’s


Other Benefits of
Carbohydrates
referred source of energy is a simple
carbohydrate known as glucose? You
may have even experienced a ‘foggy’
feeling yourself when you have tried a
low-carb diet: blame the lack of glucose! Including a wider variety of plants
and legumes have been shown to
Furthermore, there are some cells in improve hut health by promoting
our bodies, such as red blood cells, that a wider range of healthy bacteria
cannot function without receiving an within the gut.
ongoing supply of glucose, so it is fair to
say carbohydrates are incredibly Carbohydrates may increase
beneficial to our health. energy expenditure by increasing
energy levels and performance

Carbohydrates may have a positive


effect on LBM

And a personal bias... they are


delicious!
21
HOW MANY MEALS SHOULD I HAVE
PER DAY?

This will vary from person to person and if there are factors
such as nausea and food aversions to consider. You may not
be able to follow these guidelines if you are struggling through
nausea and vomiting. This is particularly common in the first
trimester where you might need to have small regular meals
and stick to foods that do not have a strong smell.

HABIT #1 EAT SLOWLY

The speed that we chew our food can impact hunger signals and
digestion. Focusing your attention on your meal will help you to enjoy
your food while allowing you to tune in and pay attention to your body’s
hunger signals and needs. By eating slowly, you will be able to notice
when you are beginning to feel full and know when it is time to stop
eating.

While this might seem like a simple task, implementing it can be a


challenge! If you have taken the time to notice how fast most people
chew, you would surely understand why.

Here are some tips:

Purposefully take a moment before your meal to become in tune


with your senses. How does the food smell? How does it take up
room on your plate and what colours and textures can you see?

Aim for 15 chews per bite.

Take smaller bites of food.

Place your fork down between each bite.

Take sips of water.

Purposefully check in with yourself. Are you feeling hungry or


beginning to feel full?

22
HABIT #2 EAT WITHOUT DISTRACTION

That means:

Be present with your meal and ensure you are sitting at the dinner table
when consuming your meal.

HABIT #3 USE APPROPRIATELY SIZED DISHES TO SERVE YOUR FOOD

HABIT #4 STAY HYDRATED

General recommendations suggest that pregnant women should


consume three litres of fluid per day. However, this varies among
individuals. A basic guideline to follow is:

If your urine is
yellow, you need to
drink more.

If it is clear, you are


well hydrated.

23
YOUR
PELVIC
FLOOR
Your pelvic floor is to this program what your glutes are to Your Glute Coach. Everything
in this program revolves around your pelvic floor.

Why do we care so much A common


about your pelvic floor? misconception

A pelvic floor is like a trampoline. Well, I It’s believed women who’ve had c-sections
like to think of it that way. The integrity of don’t need to worry about their pelvic floor.
a trampoline is at its best when no one is But that’s wrong! Yes, it’s true that vaginal
standing on it. You add one person to the deliveries place quite a bit of strain on the
trampoline and that starts to break down pelvic floor but even if you don’t give birth
a little. You add another and another and vaginally your pelvic floor has still had to
the trampolines fibres are under a lot of support a growing baby for nine months.
pressure. And over time it starts to weaken.
Your pelvic floor is the same. Before your
pregnancy, it was rigid and strong. After
having a human grow larger and larger
on it over the course of nine months, its
integrity broke down little by little and now
it’s weak. It needs time to recover and
rebuild. YOUR PELVIC
FLOOR

24
“Do your Kegels!”
The pelvic floor is a muscle we can retrain in strength, coordination and endurance.
No doubt you’ve heard of Kegels but if you haven’t, you’ll get to know them very well
because you’ll be doing them daily. Now Kegels are important — there’s no doubt about
that. But we also need to train our pelvic floor muscles in a functional way. I mean, it’s
all well and good being able to do the perfect Kegel (this involves activation and the
RELAXATION of your pelvic floor during rest). For training and bodily functions such as
sneezing and coughing, we need to know how to ACTIVATE it. So we’ll start with the
pelvic floor exercises, and eventually, you’ll work your way up.

For those in an early postnatal period

Your pelvic floor is probably feeling very weak, especially if you had a
vaginal delivery. So don’t expect to be able to hold a pelvic floor contraction
for any significant length of time at this stage, your endurance needs a bit
of work before we get there.

For those with a Grade 3 or 4 tears

It’s imperative that you’re assessed by a women’s health physio in the early
postnatal period (ie. in hospital) and given an individual home exercise
program. If you’ve had minimal tearing (no tear or a grade 1/2), you may
start pelvic floor exercises as early as day 1 postnatal.

For week 0 (week of birth)

Concentrat e on ‘quick flicks’ to get the muscles and nerves firing. This can
be performed 10 x 3 sets 2-3 times a day (I advise when you are feeding
your baby).

25
Week 1 progress these to 1sec holds, 10 x 3 sets

Week 2 2sec holds, 2sec relax, 10 x 3 sets

Foundational Week 3 3sec holds, 3 sec relax, 10x 3 sets


program Week 4 4 sec holds, 4 sec relax, 10x 3 sets

Week 5 5sec holds, 5 sec relax, 10x 3 sets

Week 6 6sec holds, 6 sec relax, 10x 3 sets

Progress to 10secs by 10
‘Elevator’
weeks, or if you have been
assessed by a women’s Imagine your pelvic floor is an elevator in a three-
health physio for your story building. As you breathe out, feel your pelvic floor
6-week postnatal checkup. squeeze as the elevator door closes, then feel it lift to
level one.
Once you’re able to reach
10-sec holds, we’ll progress
While maintaining regular breaths, keep the
you to the elevator exercise
elevator door closed and lift to level two.
and quick max contractions.
The ‘elevator’ will increase Keep squeezing and lift up to level three.
your pelvic floor strength. Now take the pelvic floor back to level two, then
Quick max contractions will one and finally to the ground floor.
increase your pelvic floor
speed and coordination Stay relaxed on the ground floor for 5 seconds.
(which you’ll need when you
Repeat x 10
sneeze or cough… trust me).

‘Quick Max Contractions’


Squeeze and lift your pelvic floor as strongly and
quickly as possible.

Relax your pelvic floor for 2 seconds.

Repeat as fast as you can 10 times.

26
How often should you do your
pelvic floor exercises?

Even though you can do pelvic floor exercises anywhere you go (literally), you might still
forget to do them. Don’t stress if you do, just pick up from where you left off.

Hot tip: link the exercises with your babies feedings. So every time you feed your baby
you’ll aim to do your Kegels.

27
Common
Postpartum Musculoskeletal Concerns

Rib flaring

If you’re newly postpartum, you’ve likely experienced rib flaring. It’s a result of your body’s
natural instinct to make room for your baby by pushing the ribs while they open.

RIB FLARE

28
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti often are used as a
‘marketing’ scare mothers into <insert
buying a program or a garment that ‘fixes’
your diastasis forever here>. Trust me. You
don’t need to fear abdominal separation.
If you came from the pregnancy guide
you’ll know that abdominal separation is a
normal physiological process that occurs
during pregnancy. In fact, 100% of women DIASTASIS RECTI
will have some degree of separation in
their third trimester.

Why do we care about


abdominal separation?

Aesthetics (think ‘mummy tummy’) Most of the healing occurs within the
first 8-weeks postpartum, but only under
Function – needed for core stability, the provision that you don’t do anything
trunk/abdominal movement, and to further injure the linea alba (incorrect
contributes to maintaining Intra- training mechanics for example).
Abdominal Pressure (IAP)

Some women don’t need further


Abdominal muscle strength and rehabilitation beyond this point, but some
endurance — the wider the separation
women need a lot.
is, the worse the abdominal muscle
strength and endurance is

How do I know if I have Notes


a diastasis?
A separation of less than 2cm is
Some women are assessed by their considered a ‘non-diastasis recti’
doctor or midwife at their 6-week
postnatal check. But this isn’t always the A separation of 2-3cm is a ‘mild
case. You can use a self-assessment tool diastasis’
found below to determine if you have an
A separation of 3-4cm is a
inter-recti gap. Your next option (which I
‘moderate diastasis’
highly recommend!) is to see a women’s
health physiotherapist who can use real- A separation of 4 or more cms is a
time ultrasound and other assessment ‘severe diastasis’
tools to assess the severity of any present
separation.

29
Closing the gap!

You’ll often hear women talk about the ‘width’ of their abdominal separation. While the
width can be a helpful assessment tool, it’s not the only thing that matters — depth and
tension can make it difficult for the linea alba to transfer load well, regardless of inter-
recti width. You can have a larger gap and be fully functional. You can have a smaller
gap and be unable to transfer load effectively across the linea alba.

Rehabilitating a
diastasis

Your recovery won’t take as long if you:


HOW TO ASSESS
Have separation of less than 2cm
DIASTASIS RECTI
Are able to transfer load well against
your linea alba

If you don’t meet these criteria, you’ll


need a little longer to recover.

C-Sections, Tears and Episiotomies

C-SECTIONS &
TEARS

30
Retraining
YOUR CORE
There’s never a time in your life that core training is absolutely essential like it is during
pregnancy and the postnatal period! The trick is using the right exercises for the job. Most
people think of their ‘six-pack ab’ muscles when they hear the word core, assuming this
only includes exercises like crunches. But it’s different for this rehab program. Instead,
we need to be focussing on our deep core muscles like our transverse abdominis,
multifidus and obliques.

Earlier I used the analogy about a house’s


foundation — the same can be said for your
core strength. This means we can’t expect
to move through complex movements
like a pull-up or a conventional deadlift
without first rebuilding a solid foundation.

Before we even begin talking about


exercise we need to address posture and
breathing. Abdominal separation and rib
flaring can create poor posture post-birth,
creating tension and unnecessary stress
on your muscles since you’re out of neutral
alignment. Not to mention, it makes it
harder to breathe efficiently which is really
important to maintain IAP.

Once you’ve nailed your breathing


strategy and your posture, we can
start looking at adding in some gentle
abdominal exercises.

31
YOUR
BREATHING STRATEGY

If you came from Mark’s previous programs (YGC, BBB, or The Challenge)
you’d feel used to a certain breathing strategy called the Valsalva
breath-hold. The breathing strategy we need to use in pregnancy and
in your postnatal period is the very opposite!

At least for now.

Instead of ‘bracing’ or using a Valsalva breath, you’ll need to use ‘a


Connection Breath’. If you came from the pregnancy program, you’ll
recognise this term. If you’re new here you can watch this video:

32
THE ‘CONNECTION
BREATH’

The connection breath starts with an When you ascend from the bottom part,
inhale on the eccentric (lengthening you will exhale. If we use a lat-pulldown
of muscle) and an exhale on the as an example, you will inhale as the bar
concentric (shortening of the muscle). ascends away from your chest and exhale
Explained more simply, it involves as the bar descends toward your chest.
performing the most challenging part Then we want to coordinate your pelvic
of the movement on the exhale. Let’s floor with this system. But to do that, we
use a squat as an example; when you need to chat about the 360° breathing
descend into the squat from the top strategy.
position, you will inhale with a 360°
breath (no breath-holding).

THE
CONNECTION
BREATH

360° BREATHING

This breathing strategy is crucial for


you to master in your pre and postnatal
period. A 360° breath allows the ribs
and torso to expand in a 360° direction.
Therefore, you need to allow your chest
and abdomen to expand on each
breath fully and not breathe into your
chest or belly in isolation. In addition,
you need to avoid shallow breathing too.

33
HOW DO YOU KNOW THE
DIFFERENCE?

If you are a shallow breather, you will I know that it’s a lot to take in. Read it a
notice your breath travels upward few times over and remember that it is
toward your upper neck muscles. If you a skill that needs to be learned. Learning
are a belly breather, you will see that this skill is particularly challenging
your ribs don’t fully expand when you when used to breath-holding, but
take a breath. To assess your breathing taking the time to master this skill is
pattern, you can wrap your hands the most crucial part of your pre and
around the entire portion of your chest. postnatal training. Not implementing
When you take a breath in, you should this breathing technique places you
feel the back, sides and front of your ribs at higher risk of abdominal separation,
fully expand in coordination with your prolapse and pelvic floor dysfunction.
abdomen.

When you attempt this breathing


strategy, I want you to notice what your
pelvic floor is doing. For example, do you
feel an intense relaxation or a ‘drop and
opening’ of your pelvic floor? If this is
the case, you might have a weak pelvic
floor. Or, do you feel like no matter how
hard you try, you can’t get the breath
down into your abdomen? You might
have a tight pelvic floor. If you’re unsure,
it’s best to see a women’s health physio
for an assessment.

Once you have mastered the 360°


breathing strategy, I want you to
coordinate your pelvic floor with your
breathing. Practically, this means
allowing your pelvic floor to relax on
the inhale and drawing it up and
contracting your pelvic floor on the
exhale.

34
WILL YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO USE
THIS BREATHING STRATEGY?

No, you won’t. But for a while, you will. If this all feels too overwhelming, I want
Breath-holding in itself isn’t ‘bad’. you to focus solely on your pelvic floor
Some women can coordinate their during movements. Knowing what it is or
breathing with their pelvic floor well isn’t doing during exercise requires you to
during training. Some women don’t even understand how it feels when you contract
realise that they do this. But breath- your pelvic floor compared to when you
holding becomes an issue when pelvic drop and open or ‘bare’ down on your
floor strength breaks down. Naturally, pelvic floor. So let’s do a bit of homework!
having a baby grow on your pelvic First, find a comfortable lying position (in
floor and then delivering your baby your third trimester, find a side-lying place
compromises the power of your pelvic instead). Now I want you to practice ten
floor. So when we apply a breath-hold in 360° breaths. Next, I want you to add the
the presence of a weak pelvic floor and connection breath. Draw up your pelvic
intra-abdominal pressure increases, floor on each exhale and relax or drop
we cannot contract our pelvic floor and open your pelvic floor on each inhale.
efficiently. The connection breath aims Repeat this for ten rounds. Please pay
to minimise the downward pressure attention to what it feels like when you
placed on the pelvic floor. contract your pelvic floor compared to
how it feels when you relax it. Then I want
you to push down on your pelvic floor
forcefully (like you are practising birthing
or doing a poo, yes, I said poo. I know, it’s
awkward for me too). Can you feel the
difference? This is what you need to avoid
during your training. The connection breath
aside, if you feel this sensation during your
workout, you need to stop and reset.

35
Practical applications

You might find inhaling on the eccentric, and contracting your pelvic
floor on the exhale quite difficult at first. It can be difficult even with
plenty of practice — so don’t stress if you’re struggling! If this is you,
you can exhale through the full range of motion, maintaining that
slight pelvic floor contraction. You’ll need to reset between reps by
letting your belly fully relax before starting another rep.

Progressing past the connection


breath

There’s only so much a pre and postnatal coach can do in the ways
of assessing risk factors. Sure, we can screen for certain risk factors
of pelvic floor dysfunction (leakage) to refer you for assessment with
a pelvic health physiotherapist. But you’ll need to see a Women’s
Health Physio if you want to utilise a different breathing strategy. A
physio will be able to assess your risk for prolapse by measuring the
distance between your Gh and Pb.

What are Gh and Pb


measurements?

Simply, it’s the distance between your


genital hiatus (Gh) and your perineal body
(Pb). A pelvic health physio can measure
the distance between your Gh and your
Pb (<7cm is considered normal).

If you’re a seasoned weight lifter or


someone who usually uses a breath- PROLAPSE
hold or Valsalva strategy, your physio
will ask you to apply a breath-hold and
remeasure the distance between your Gh
and Pb. If your measurement increases
by more than 2-3 cm, you’re at greater
risk of prolapse and connective tissue
dysfunction (think either your bladder,
vagina or rectum collapsing — it’s not fun).

36
The point of this information is to
highlight two things:

How important a slow return to exercise


is and

This program cannot determine your


individual risk of prolapse, and you’ll
not be instructed to move beyond the
connection breath during your training.
HOW TO TRAIN
YOUR CORE
If this is something you want to work
towards, book a session with a pelvic
EFFICIENTLY
health physiotherapist who can meet you
where you’re at in your recovery.

Okay, now back to training your core!

37
PROGRAM DESIGN
We had one thing in mind when we were
designing this program: meeting the
needs of busy Mums who most likely
have less time up their sleeve. We also
know that you probably aren’t leaving the
house as much as you used to — even
WELCOME
attempting a trip to your local gym is a VIDEO
monumental task in and of itself! We also
asked you on Instagram if you’d prefer a We’ve kept in mind that repeating
gym-based or home-based program — exercises can get pretty tedious.
the majority wanted a home program. This is why we manipulate training
Which is exactly what we created. variables including:

The biggest challenge when designing


a home program is equipment. A fully Tempo
equipped home-set isn’t something
everyone has, but it’s something not Paused reps
everyone needs either (especially for this
program). Mark and I have been coaching Hand or foot positioning
long enough to know you don’t need
much to design a great home training
Rep ranges
program.

Rest periods
Well-designed programs often have one
thing in common — sticking to the basics!
Basics always win in the end. Trust us, It means we can do the same key
ignore fancy Instagrammable exercises movement patterns and keep it
you see on a daily basis. Most of them are interesting as you progress. We make
rubbish (though great for engagement). them fun by shaking it up with these
We want you to nail the basics by variables and the long-term results speak
repeating them over and over until you for themself. By focusing on key exercises
become so efficient at them that you can instead of doing a range of different ones,
add intensity and progressively overload you’ll get really strong at them!
later.

38
How does this program
work?

It’s a sixteen-week program that focuses We’ll start with 3x full-body workouts
on recovery and rehabilitation. Each that you can do at home weekly, with
phase builds upon the last one with the goal to slowly build volume as you
consistency, practice and strategy of become more conditioned. You’ll be able
movement patterns. This is not a time to to complete this entire program with little
start pushing load, volume or intensity! equipment. We recommend adjustable
If you feel the urge to add more to this dumbbells and some resistance bands
program, don’t. (a mat is optional). That way you can
perform the workouts at your local gym if
Less is more here. you’d like. Also, take note of the alternative
exercises attached to each program.

RATE OF PERCEIVED EXERTION

Every woman who comes into this


program will have varying capabilities in
terms of strength. It’s difficult to know how
much you should be lifting. That’s why we
are recommending a certain RPE or Rate
of Perceived Exertion in each phase: HOW TO READ
TEMPO
LIFTING RPE = based on how many
reps you have in reserve (RIR = reps in
reserve)

RPE 10 Could not do more reps or load. True max effort

RPE 9.5 Could not do more reps but could do slightly more load

RPE 9 Could do 1 more repetition

RPE 8.5 Could definitely do 1 more rep, possibly 2

RPE 8 Could do 2 more repetition

RPE 7.5 Could definitely do 2 more rep, possibly 3

RPE 7 Could do 3 more repetition

RPE 5-6 Could definitely do 4-6 more reps eg early building sets

RPE 1-4 Very light to light effort eg warm up sets

39
Every woman who comes into this program will have varying capabilities in terms
of strength. It’s difficult to know how much you should be lifting. That’s why we are
recommending a certain RPE or Rate of Perceived Exertion in each phase:

LIFTING RPE = based on how many reps you have in reserve (RIR = reps in reserve)

PHASE 1 (4 Weeks)
Pelvic Floor/Core Rehab

This is a full-body program focussing


on:

WARMING UP
Rebuilding your pelvic floor

The aim of this program is to increase


Addressing any abdominal mobility and regain strength after
separation (or diastasis) birth. Each session will start and end
with mobility. DO NOT skip this step.
Rib flaring Mobility is crucial to correct rib flaring
and improve posture. This is a gentle
Gentle healing
program— you won’t see complicated
movements.
Recovery

Let’s aim for an RPE of 4-5 at this phase.

Disclaimer

If you’ve had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you can begin


phase one once you have clearance from your doctor. If you’ve
had a C-Section or above a grade two tear, you’ll need to wait
until 8 weeks or until your incisions have fully recovered.

40
PHASE 2 (4 Weeks)
Full Body
This is a full-body phase with the If you feel you need more time on
addition of movements we avoided in phase one, take it! You’ll approach this
Phase One (e.g. overhead presses). We phase the same way you did Phase
One.
can start adding a little more weight
to your movements. Let’s do a sense Aim for an RPE of 5-6.
check before we get started:
If you feel up for it, ease back into
one low impact cardio session (bike,
NOTES or cross-trainer) for 15-20 minutes.
Maintain this for the remainder of the
guide, and then you can slowly add 5
If you’ve added weight to your
minutes to your cardio each phase.
movements in phase one, you
might feel like you can do it in If you’re experiencing pain or
phase two. Remember, slowly symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction,
do not move on to this phase.
increase weight. This means
starting with body weight and If you’ve had a C-Section or above
slowly adding a little more each a grade two tear, you’ll need to
week. make sure you are at least 12 weeks
postpartum, and your scar tears are
fully healed before moving on to this
stage.

PHASE 3 (4 Weeks)
Paused Reps

This phase continues to build on the Make an exercise harder by increasing


training you’ve done over the past 8 time under tension
weeks. Since your babe is around 14
Removes the boost by the stretch-
weeks now (or older), you might feel
shortening cycle
like you have a little more routine.
Perhaps you feel like you’re ready to Reduce the weight you can lift in regular
attempt a trip to the gym! If you’re reps
not, that’s perfectly okay. We have
Just as effective for gaining muscle and
included at home and gym options. strength
But if you’re feeling ready to put your
babe into the creche at the gym, You’ll aim for an RPE of 6-7. But remember,
go and get it girl! Have fun! I was this doesn’t mean you are 3x reps away from
an anxious mess the first time, even failure! You’re aiming to be 3x reps away
though I was excited. If you start to from needing to breathe hold to stabilise
feel that, I promise you it gets easier. your weight, so basically, 3x reps away from
exertion. This doesn’t mean you ignore red
In this phase, we’ll use paused reps flags or push to meet those reps. Quality
which: over quantity still matters here.

41
PHASE 4 (4 Weeks)
Inefficient Rest Periods

We’ll keep building on from the last We can still achieve a decent amount
phase. The final 4-week training phase of mechanical tension. This is needed to
to wrap up the 12 weeks will focus grow and maintain muscle mass.
on insufficient rest periods. This is a
Limit the amount of weight you’re able
training variable where we have less to lift which is a good thing for your
optimal rest periods between sets. pelvic floor.
The goal? To recover enough so we
can still lift sufficient weight, but not
recover enough to feel ‘recovered’. In this phase we’re:
I like to use this approach with my
Increasing training sessions from 3x to
postnatal clients because:
4x per week

Moving away from full-body splits

Moving to upper and lower body splits

Aiming for an RPE of 7-8

Again, you should only move to this phase if you don’t have any red flags. If you started
this program at 6 weeks postpartum you’ll now be around 18 weeks postpartum. You
should feel stronger within your core. Check-in with how you’re feeling and celebrate
it!! You’ve put in some amazing work. Reassess your abdominal separation and
notice a difference in the tension you feel across your linea alba.

If you still have any aches, pains or feel your core is still weak — see a women’s
health physio before starting this phase. Also, if you’re feeling stronger, it doesn’t
mean you’re ready for breath-holding or pushing intensity (weight lifted) right now.
Your mind might feel ready but your body still has a while to go! So keep using that
Connection Breath.

42
What if I’m starting this
program well into my
postnatal period?

Not all women who start this program will You have mastered the connection
be starting at 6-weeks postpartum. Now if breathing technique
you haven’t worked with a physiotherapist
You feel stronger in your core and pelvic
or an exercise physiologist (or any other floor from a few weeks ago
relevant allied health care person), but
you are >12 weeks postpartum, you may You have been working out since you
gave birth
not have to start with phase one.
You aren’t experiencing the symptoms
So, I would say that if you’re at least of pelvic floor dysfunction and you are
free of pain (if you have had a c-section
12 weeks postpartum and are able to or above a grade two tear your incisions
confidently answer ‘yes’ to the below should be completely healed).
questions, you can skip phase one and go
straight to phase two: You have clearance from my healthcare
provider

What if I can only train three days per week?

That is so fine! The first three phases of the program are three days a week and the
fourth moves to a four-day split. Three days a week is still a great amount of volume to
train each week, especially in your early postpartum phase. If you find you’re limited to
three days per week by the time you get to phase four (this isn’t uncommon as a busy
mum!), split your workouts like this: half of lower body one (A1-B2) and half of upper
body two (A1-B2) and combine them to do a full-body workout on day three.

43
SLEEP VS EXERCISE
Ah, sleep… a luxurious pastime. I don’t remember the last time I had a good sleep!

Even if you’re in your third trimester, you’re probably not sleeping a whole lot anyway. If
you have a newborn, I am 100% confident that you aren’t sleeping well.

We know how important sleep is. You only have to read through some of Mark’s other
programs to know that sleep is imperative if you want to:

Build muscle

Increase performance

Function like a normal civilised human

Sleep deprivation is also linked to mood So what do you do?


disorders such as depression! So I’m
absolutely not dismissing the importance Phase One and Two of this program are
of sleep, but I am also a realist. Sleep is gentle exercises that coincide with when
something mothers just don’t have control you are likely to be most sleep-deprived.
over. When we don’t have control over So if you feel up to it, you could do these
a certain variable, we need to manage sessions. But as the intensity increases in
it instead. Which brings me to the topic Phases Three and Four, you’ll need to trust
of whether or not you should choose a your gut. You’ll know if you need sleep
training session over catching up on more than you need exercise.
some much-needed sleep?
What I don’t want you doing is ignoring
We know exercise improves mood, what you NEED for what you think you
concentration and actually improves SHOULD do. My suggestion is if you had less
sleep quality. On the other hand, you’re than 5-6 hours of sleep you should avoid
more likely to injure yourself in pregnancy doing phases three and four. Instead,
and postpartum due to the hormones move your sessions to another day and
progesterone and relaxin! Add sleep if you don’t get all of them in that week,
deprivation on top of surging and crashing don’t stress! Just use the three days per
hormones and your risk of injury is even week model and resume back to four days
higher. when you’re getting a little more sleep.

44
My Top Postnatal Sleep Hacks

Ask for help! No seriously, ask for help from family, friends or
trusted neighbours.

Sleep when your baby sleeps. Now I have a toddler, so for


parents with multiples, I get it! It’s often not possible. But if you
are a first time Mum, skip the housework. The dishes can wait.
So can the laundry. Your wellbeing is more important than a
clean house.

Try and maintain a healthy sleep environment. It’s tempting


to scroll Instagram when you are feeding your baby but this
interferes with your circadian rhythm. Aim to keep your room
cool and if you can, get some blackout blinds.

Outsource where you can. If finances permit, hire a cleaner


or use a meal delivery service. Anything that can free up your
time to focus on sleep in this season will be a bonus.

45
TRAINING TEMPLATE
PHASE 1
4 WEEKS
CLICK THE WORKOUT NAME
TO ACCESS THE VIDEO
EXERCISE PLAYLIST WARM UP

DAY WORKOUT STEPS WARM UP CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT REMINDER
MONDAY FULLBODY 1 8,000
Mobility is an integral part of your
TUESDAY REST 8,000 pregnancy routine. It decreases intra-
abdominal pressure, allows you to
breathe freely and decreases pressure on
WEDNESDAY FULLBODY 2 8,000 your pelvic floor. Perform this warm-up
routine before every training session.

THURSDAY REST 8,000 Thoracic mobility x 10

Toe taps x 10

FRIDAY FULLBODY 3 8,000 Cat/Cow x 10

Thread the needle x10

SATURDAY REST 8,000 The connection breath x 10 (relax


your pelvic floor on the inhale,
contract on the exhale)
SUNDAY REST 8,000

46
PHASE 01

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 1
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 AIR SQUAT

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

A2 DB SINGLE ARM ROW (2KG)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010


2 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
3 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
4 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010

B1 GLUTE BRIDGE
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 45 2010
2 3 10 45 2010
3 3 10 45 2010
4 3 10 45 2010

B2 BANDED PALLOF PRESS


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 Each Arm 45 2010


2 3 10 Each Arm 45 2010
3 3 10 Each Arm 45 2010
4 3 10 Each Arm 45 2010

C1 STANDING CALF RAISE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2010
2 3 10 30 2010
3 3 10 30 2010
4 3 10 30 2010

C2 SHOULDER TAPS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2010
2 3 10 30 2010
3 3 10 30 2010
4 3 10 30 2010

47
PHASE 01

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 1
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

D1 ABDOMINAL AND PF ACTIVATION AKA THE CONNECTION BREATH

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2010
2 3 10 30 2010
3 3 10 30 2010
4 3 10 30 2010

D2 TOE TAPS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 3110
2 3 10 30 3110
3 3 10 30 3110
4 3 10 30 3110

B1 PRONATED GRIP MIDGRIP PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

B2 CABLE ROW (REAR DELT FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

C PALLOF PRESS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 60 2010
2 3 12-15 60 2010
3 3 12-15 60 2010
4 3 12-15 60 2010

D1 DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 6-8 120 2010


2 3 6-8 120 2010
3 3 6-8 120 2010
4 3 6-8 120 2010

48
PHASE 01

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 2
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 STEP UP

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010


2 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
3 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
4 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010

A2 BANDED ILIAC PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010


2 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
3 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
4 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010

B1 DB CHEST FLYS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 45 2010
2 3 10 45 2010
3 3 10 45 2010
4 3 10 45 2010

B2 SIDE PLANK
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010


2 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010
3 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010
4 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010

C1 SINGLE ARM Y RAISE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 Each Arm 30 2110


2 3 10 Each Arm 30 2110
3 3 10 Each Arm 30 2110
4 3 10 Each Arm 30 2110

C2 BIRD DOG
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 Each Side 30 2110


2 3 10 Each Side 30 2110
3 3 10 Each Side 30 2110
4 3 10 Each Side 30 2110

49
PHASE 01

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 2
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

D1 HEEL SLIDE

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2110
2 3 10 30 2110
3 3 10 30 2110
4 3 10 30 2110

D2 BENT KNEE FALL OUT


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2110
2 3 10 30 2110
3 3 10 30 2110
4 3 10 30 2110

B1 PRONATED GRIP MIDGRIP PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

B2 CABLE ROW (REAR DELT FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

C PALLOF PRESS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 60 2010
2 3 12-15 60 2010
3 3 12-15 60 2010
4 3 12-15 60 2010

D1 DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 6-8 120 2010


2 3 6-8 120 2010
3 3 6-8 120 2010
4 3 6-8 120 2010

50
PHASE 01

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 3
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 STATIONARY LUNGE

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010


2 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010
3 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010
4 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010

A2 SEATED BANDED ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

B1 LOW BOX STEP UP


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 Each Leg 45 2010


2 3 10 Each Leg 45 2010
3 3 10 Each Leg 45 2010
4 3 10 Each Leg 45 2010

B2 CHEST LIFT
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010


2 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010
3 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010
4 3 20 seconds each side 45 2010

C1 BANDED FACEPULLS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2110
2 3 10 30 2110
3 3 10 30 2110
4 3 10 30 2110

C2 MODIFIED PLANK
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 second hold 30 -
2 3 10 second hold 30 -
3 3 10 second hold 30 -
4 3 10 second hold 30 -

51
PHASE 01

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 3
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

D1 CROSS CROSS

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2110
2 3 10 30 2110
3 3 10 30 2110
4 3 10 30 2110

D2 HUNDREDS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 2110
2 3 10 30 2110
3 3 10 30 2110
4 3 10 30 2110

B1 PRONATED GRIP MIDGRIP PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

B2 CABLE ROW (REAR DELT FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

C PALLOF PRESS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 60 2010
2 3 12-15 60 2010
3 3 12-15 60 2010
4 3 12-15 60 2010

D1 DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 6-8 120 2010


2 3 6-8 120 2010
3 3 6-8 120 2010
4 3 6-8 120 2010

52
TRAINING TEMPLATE
PHASE 2
4 WEEKS

CLICK THE WORKOUT NAME


TO ACCESS THE VIDEO
EXERCISE PLAYLIST WARM UP

DAY WORKOUT STEPS WARM UP CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT REMINDER
MONDAY FULLBODY 1 8,000
Mobility is an integral part of your
TUESDAY REST 8,000 pregnancy routine. It decreases intra-
abdominal pressure, allows you to
breathe freely and decreases pressure on
WEDNESDAY FULLBODY 2 8,000 your pelvic floor. Perform this warm-up
routine before every training session.

THURSDAY REST 8,000 Thoracic mobility x 10

Toe taps x 10

FRIDAY FULLBODY 3 8,000 Cat/Cow x 10

Thread the needle x10

SATURDAY REST 8,000 The connection breath x 10 (relax


your pelvic floor on the inhale,
contract on the exhale)
SUNDAY REST 8,000

53
PHASE 02

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 1
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A DB GOBLET SQUAT

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 60 3010
2 2 6-8 60 3010
3 2 6-8 60 3010
4 2 6-8 60 3010

B1 BB OR DB HIP THRUST
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 60 3010
2 2 6-8 60 3010
3 2 6-8 60 3010
4 2 6-8 60 3010

B2 HALF KNEELING DB PRESS


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 45 3010
2 2 6-8 45 3010
3 2 6-8 45 3010
4 2 6-8 45 3010

C1 HEELS ELEVATED QUAD SQUAT


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 3010
2 2 6-8 30 3010
3 2 6-8 30 3010
4 2 6-8 30 3010

C2 SINGLE ARM DB ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 Each Arm 30 2010


2 2 6-8 Each Arm 30 2010
3 2 6-8 Each Arm 30 2010
4 2 6-8 Each Arm 30 2010

D1 LYING LEG CURLS - BANDED


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 2010
2 2 6-8 30 2010
3 2 6-8 30 2010
4 2 6-8 30 2010

54
PHASE 02

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 1
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

D2 BIRD DOG

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 10-12 Each Side 30 2110


2 2 10-12 Each Side 30 2110
3 2 10-12 Each Side 30 2110
4 2 10-12 Each Side 30 2110

D2 PELVIC CLOCK
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 3110
2 3 10 30 3110
3 3 10 30 3110
4 3 10 30 3110

B1 PRONATED GRIP MIDGRIP PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

B2 CABLE ROW (REAR DELT FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

C PALLOF PRESS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 60 2010
2 3 12-15 60 2010
3 3 12-15 60 2010
4 3 12-15 60 2010

D1 DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 6-8 120 2010


2 3 6-8 120 2010
3 3 6-8 120 2010
4 3 6-8 120 2010

55
PHASE 02

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 2
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A DB FRONT FOOT ELEVATED SPLIT SQUAT

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010


2 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010
3 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010
4 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010

B1 DB RDL
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 60 3010
2 2 6-8 60 3010
3 2 6-8 60 3010
4 2 6-8 60 3010

B2 UNSUPPORTED DB CHEST PRESS


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 45 3010
2 2 6-8 45 3010
3 2 6-8 45 3010
4 2 6-8 45 3010

C1 BB OR DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 3010
2 2 6-8 30 3010
3 2 6-8 30 3010
4 2 6-8 30 3010

C2 DB BENT OVER ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 2010
2 2 6-8 30 2010
3 2 6-8 30 2010
4 2 6-8 30 2010

D1 CONTRALATERAL DB LUNGE
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 Each Leg 30 seconds each side 2010


2 2 6-8 Each Leg 30 seconds each side 2010
3 2 6-8 Each Leg 30 seconds each side 2010
4 2 6-8 Each Leg 30 seconds each side 2010

56
PHASE 02

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 2
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

D2 SIDE PLANK

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 10-12 each side 30 -


2 2 10-12 each side 30 -
3 2 10-12 each side 30 -
4 2 10-12 each side 30 -

D2 PELVIC CLOCK
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 3110
2 3 10 30 3110
3 3 10 30 3110
4 3 10 30 3110

B1 PRONATED GRIP MIDGRIP PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

B2 CABLE ROW (REAR DELT FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

C PALLOF PRESS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 60 2010
2 3 12-15 60 2010
3 3 12-15 60 2010
4 3 12-15 60 2010

D1 DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 6-8 120 2010


2 3 6-8 120 2010
3 3 6-8 120 2010
4 3 6-8 120 2010

57
PHASE 02

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 3
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A DB B-STANCE RDL

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010


2 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010
3 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010
4 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010

B1 DB ALTERNATING LUNGE
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010


2 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010
3 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010
4 2 6-8 Each Leg 60 3010

B2 DB SIDE LATERAL RAISE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 Each Arm 45 3010


2 2 6-8 Each Arm 45 3010
3 2 6-8 Each Arm 45 3010
4 2 6-8 Each Arm 45 3010

C1 BANDED SEATED ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 3010
2 2 6-8 30 3010
3 2 6-8 30 3010
4 2 6-8 30 3010

C2 DB STIFF LEGGED RDL


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 2010
2 2 6-8 30 2010
3 2 6-8 30 2010
4 2 6-8 30 2010

D1 POOR MANS SHOULDER HORN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 6-8 30 2010
2 2 6-8 30 2010
3 2 6-8 30 2010
4 2 6-8 30 2010

58
PHASE 02

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 3
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

D2 BANDED PALLOF PRESS

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 2 8-10 Each Arm 30 2010


2 2 8-10 Each Arm 30 2010
3 2 8-10 Each Arm 30 2010
4 2 8-10 Each Arm 30 2010

D2 PELVIC CLOCK
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10 30 3110
2 3 10 30 3110
3 3 10 30 3110
4 3 10 30 3110

B1 PRONATED GRIP MIDGRIP PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

B2 CABLE ROW (REAR DELT FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 90 2010
2 3 10-12 90 2010
3 3 10-12 90 2010
4 3 10-12 90 2010

C PALLOF PRESS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 60 2010
2 3 12-15 60 2010
3 3 12-15 60 2010
4 3 12-15 60 2010

D1 DB KAS GLUTE BRIDGE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 6-8 120 2010


2 3 6-8 120 2010
3 3 6-8 120 2010
4 3 6-8 120 2010

59
TRAINING TEMPLATE
PHASE 3
4 WEEKS

CLICK THE WORKOUT NAME


TO ACCESS THE VIDEO
EXERCISE PLAYLIST
WARM UP

DAY WORKOUT STEPS WARM UP CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT REMINDER
MONDAY FULLBODY 1 8,000

Mobility is an integral part of your


TUESDAY REST 8,000 pregnancy routine. It decreases intra-
abdominal pressure, allows you to
breathe freely and decreases pressure on
WEDNESDAY FULLBODY 2 8,000 your pelvic floor. Perform this warm-up
routine before every training session.

THURSDAY REST 8,000 Thoracic mobility x 10

Toe taps x 10

FRIDAY FULLBODY 3 8,000 Cat/Cow x 10

Thread the needle x10


SATURDAY REST 8,000 The connection breath x 10 (relax
your pelvic floor on the inhale,
contract on the exhale)
SUNDAY REST 8,000

60
PHASE 03

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 1
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 HEELS ELEVATED GOBLET SQUAT

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 10-12 75 3110
2 4 10-12 75 3110
3 4 10-12 75 3110
4 4 10-12 75 3110

A2 SEATED DB OH PRESS (NEUTRAL GRIP)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 10-12 75 3110
2 4 10-12 75 3110
3 4 10-12 75 3110
4 4 10-12 75 3110

B1 DB RDL (HAMSTRINGS FOCUSSED)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 12-15 60 2010
2 4 12-15 60 2010
3 4 12-15 60 2010
4 4 12-15 60 2010

B2 DB SINGLE ARM ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 12-15 60 2010
2 4 12-15 60 2010
3 4 12-15 60 2010
4 4 12-15 60 2010

C1 SINGLE LEG HIP THRUST


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010


2 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010
3 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010
4 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010

C2 SEATED BANDED ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 15-20 45 2010
2 3 15-20 45 2010
3 3 15-20 45 2010
4 3 15-20 45 2010

61
PHASE 03

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 2
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 DB BACK FOOT ELEVATED SPLIT SQUAT

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 10-12 Each Leg 75 3110


2 4 10-12 Each Leg 75 3110
3 4 10-12 Each Leg 75 3110
4 4 10-12 Each Leg 75 3110

A2 DB LEANING LATERAL RAISE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110


2 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110
3 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110
4 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110

B1 DB QUAD SQUAT
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 12-15 60 2010
2 4 12-15 60 2010
3 4 12-15 60 2010
4 4 12-15 60 2010

B2 INCLINE PUSH UP
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 12-15 60 2010
2 4 12-15 60 2010
3 4 12-15 60 2010
4 4 12-15 60 2010

C1 BANDED ABDUCTIONS
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010


2 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010
3 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010
4 3 15-20 Each Leg 45 2010

C2 SIDE PLANK WITH ROTATION


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 45 seconds 45 2010
2 3 45 seconds 45 2010
3 3 45 seconds 45 2010
4 3 45 seconds 45 2010

62
PHASE 03

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE FULL BODY 3
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 DB RDL

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 10-12 75 3110
2 4 10-12 75 3110
3 4 10-12 75 3110
4 4 10-12 75 3110

A2 DB SINGLE ARM UNSUPPORTED CHEST PRESS


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110


2 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110
3 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110
4 4 10-12 Each Arm 75 3110

B1 DB STATIONARY LUNGE
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 12-15 Each Leg 60 2010


2 4 12-15 Each Leg 60 2010
3 4 12-15 Each Leg 60 2010
4 4 12-15 Each Leg 60 2010

B2 45 ° DB SINGLE ARM ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 12-15 Each Arm 60 2010


2 4 12-15 Each Arm 60 2010
3 4 12-15 Each Arm 60 2010
4 4 12-15 Each Arm 60 2010

C1 COUCH REVERSE HYPER


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 15-20 45 2010
2 3 15-20 45 2010
3 3 15-20 45 2010
4 3 15-20 45 2010

C2 OBLIQUE TOE TAPS


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 15-20 (each side) 45 2010


2 3 15-20 (each side) 45 2010
3 3 15-20 (each side) 45 2010
4 3 15-20 (each side) 45 2010

63
TRAINING TEMPLATE
PHASE 4
4 WEEKS

CLICK THE WORKOUT NAME


TO ACCESS THE VIDEO
EXERCISE PLAYLIST WARM UP

DAY WORKOUT STEPS WARM UP CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT REMINDER
MONDAY LOWER BODY 1 8,000
Mobility is an integral part of your
TUESDAY UPPER BODY 1 8,000 pregnancy routine. It decreases intra-
abdominal pressure, allows you to
breathe freely and decreases pressure on
WEDNESDAY REST 8,000 your pelvic floor. Perform this warm-up
routine before every training session.

THURSDAY LOWER BODY 2 8,000 Thoracic mobility x 10

Toe taps x 10

FRIDAY UPPER BODY 2 8,000 Cat/Cow x 10

Thread the needle x10

SATURDAY REST 8,000 The connection breath x 10 (relax


your pelvic floor on the inhale,
contract on the exhale)
SUNDAY REST 8,000

64
PHASE 04

LOWER BODY 1
CLICK THE WORKOUT
NAMETO ACCESS THE
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST

A1 DB STRADDLE LIFT

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

A2 DB HEELS ELEVATED QUAD SQUAT


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

B1 DB REVERSE LUNGE (DB IN OPPOSITE HAND)


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 Each Leg 45 2010


2 3 10-12 Each Leg 45 2010
3 3 10-12 Each Leg 45 2010
4 3 10-12 Each Leg 45 2010

B2 BB OR DB HIP THRUST
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 45 2020
2 3 10-12 45 2020
3 3 10-12 45 2020
4 3 10-12 45 2020

C1 DB FRONT FOOT ELEVATED SPLIT SQUAT


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2010


2 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2010
3 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2010
4 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2010

C2 DB STIFF LEGGED DL
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 45 2110
2 3 12-15 45 2110
3 3 12-15 45 2110
4 3 12-15 45 2110

65
PHASE 04

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST
UPPER BODY 1
A1 DB STANDING OH PRESS NEUTRAL GRIP

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

A2 BANDED ILIAC PULLDOWN


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010


2 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
3 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010
4 4 8-10 Each Arm 45 3010

B1 LEANING DB LATERAL RAISE


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010


2 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010
3 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010
4 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010

B2 45 ° DB SINGLE ARM ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010


2 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010
3 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010
4 3 10-12 Each Arm 45 2010

C1 STANDING SINGLE ARM OH PRESS NEUTRAL GRIP


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2010


2 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2010
3 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2010
4 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2010

C2 BANDED PALLOF PRESS


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2110


2 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2110
3 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2110
4 3 12-15 Each Arm 45 2110

66
PHASE 04

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST
LOWER BODY 2
A1 DB RDL

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

A2 REVERSE LUNGE
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010


2 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010
3 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010
4 4 8-10 Each Leg 45 3010

B1 BANDED DONKEY KICKBACK


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010


2 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010
3 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010
4 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010

B2 DB STEP UP
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010


2 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010
3 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010
4 3 10-12 (each leg) 45 2010

C1 DB LYING LEG CURL WITH RESISTANCE BAND


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 45 2010
2 3 12-15 45 2010
3 3 12-15 45 2010
4 3 12-15 45 2010

C2 STATIONARY LUNGE ARM OH


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 45 2110
2 3 12-15 45 2110
3 3 12-15 45 2110
4 3 12-15 45 2110

67
PHASE 04

CLICK THE WORKOUT


NAMETO ACCESS THE
VIDEO EXERCISE PLAYLIST
UPPER BODY 2
A1 KNEELING OH DB PRESS

W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

A2 DB BENT OVER ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 4 8-10 45 3010
2 4 8-10 45 3010
3 4 8-10 45 3010
4 4 8-10 45 3010

B1 DB LATERAL RAISE
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 45 2010
2 3 10-12 45 2010
3 3 10-12 45 2010
4 3 10-12 45 2010

B2 SEATED BANDED/CABLE ROW


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 10-12 45 2010
2 3 10-12 45 2010
3 3 10-12 45 2010
4 3 10-12 45 2010

C1 SIDE PLANK WITH ROTATION


W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 60 seconds 45 -
2 3 60 seconds 45 -
3 3 60 seconds 45 -
4 3 60 seconds 45 -

C2 OBLIQUE TWIST
W EE K SET S REP S RE S T T E M PO SET 1 SET 2 SET 3 SET 4 SET 5

1 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2110


2 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2110
3 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2110
4 3 12-15 (each leg) 45 2110

68
Where to from here?

You’ve made it this far! A huge congratulations. You’re well underway to rebuilding your
core strength and pelvic floor muscle. Now I know there’s been a lot to take in. There’s
new information. But it’s exciting. This rehabilitative time is a new challenge to master,
instead of seeing it as a delay to return to your previous training and body goals. In fact,
there’s a lot of strength in rest. With patience, healing and nurturing toward your body
— well, you’ll actually get back there quicker (and safely). I hope you trust us knowing
there is strength in rest.

Bringing this guidebook to life has been an absolute pleasure, and we genuinely hope
it helps fill that gap needed in the postnatal training space. So thank you for letting us
be part of your journey!

So what’s next?

Once you’ve completed the rehabilitation program, we’re going to move into what I
know you’re most looking forward to. Hypertrophy training This will start building the
foundations that will prepare you to enter Mark’s more advanced programs like YGC and
The Bikini Body Series. This means jumping into the Postnatal Level Two Guidebook. Here
we will introduce movements that you haven’t done in a really long time (think squats,
deadlifts and pull-ups). We hope you trust us on this final journey of your postpartum
recovery and we can’t wait to see you there.
Be proud. You’ve learnt so much and have gotten familiar with your body once again.
Now you can take it forward to the next phase to build more awareness and rebuild that
strength.

69
Copyright
Copyright©️©️Carroll
CarrollPerformance
PerformancePty PtyLtd
Ltd
All
All rights reserved. No part of this e-book
rights reserved. No part of this e-book may
may be be reproduced
reproduced inin anyany form
form oror by
by any
any means,
means,
electronic
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information or retrieval,
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information or retrieval,
without
withoutprior
priorpermission
permissionininwriting
writingfrom
fromthethepublisher.
publisher.Under
Underthe theAustralian
AustralianCopyright
CopyrightAct
Act1968
1968(the
(theAct),
Act),aa
maximum
maximum of 10 percent of the number of pages of the e-resource or chapter, whichever is the
of 10 percent of the number of pages of the e-resource or chapter, whichever is the
greater,
greater,may
maybe bephotocopied
photocopiedby byany
anyeducational
educationalinstitution
institutionforforits
itseducational
educationalpurposes
purposesprovided
providedthatthatthe
the
education
education institution
institution (or
(or the
the body
body that
that administers
administers itit has
has given
given aa remuneration
remuneration notice
notice toto Copyright
Copyright
Agency
AgencyLimited
Limited(CAL)
(CAL)under
underthetheAct.
Act.

Disclaimer
Disclaimer
The
The content
content of of this
this e-book
e-book isis to
to serve
serve asas aa general
general overview
overview of of matters
matters of of interest
interest and
and isis not
not
intended
intended to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute medical (or other) advice in any way. This e-bookisisaa
to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute medical (or other) advice in any way. This e-book
compilation
compilationof ofone
oneperson’s
person’sideas,
ideas,concepts,
concepts,ideologies,
ideologies,philosophies
philosophiesand
andopinions.
opinions.You
Youshould
shouldcarry
carryout
outyour
your
own research and/or seek your own professional advice before acting or relying on any
own research and/or seek your own professional advice before acting or relying on any of the informationof the information
displayed
displayed inin thisthis e-resource.
e-resource. TheThe author,
author, andand its
its related
related entities
entities will
will not
not bebe liable
liable for
for any
any
injuries,
injuries, loss or damage that may arise out of your improper use of, or reliance on, the content of
loss or damage that may arise out of your improper use of, or reliance on, the content of this
this
e-resource.
e-resource. YouYou accept
accept sole
sole responsibility
responsibility for
for the
the outcomes
outcomes ifif you
you choose
choose to to adopt
adopt and/or
and/or useuse the
the
systems,
systems,methods,
methods,ideas,
ideas,concepts
conceptsand andopinions
opinionswithin
withinthe
thecontent
contentofofthis
thise-book.
e-book.

info@coachmarkcarroll.com
info@coachmarkcarroll.com www.coachmarkcarroll.com
www.coachmarkcarroll.com

You might also like