Minn. Mother's Mission To Help Moms Get Back Into Running
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Finding time to run or do any sort of workout can be difficult for any mom, especially when you're a mother of three, like Dawn Alstatt. Now, she is making it her mission to help new moms return to running.
Alstatt is the Lead Therapist and co-founder of Regions Hosptal's Run Program.
"I run to be fit, to be happy," Altstatt said. "There is a competitive streak to me, but it's to be fit and happy. My youngest is 5 months old, so I'm just getting back to running after having her."
After having her first child, she realized that getting back into shape wasn't as easy as she anticipated. That's when she decided she wanted to help mothers who were dealing with her same struggles 8 years ago.
"The first time, I wasn't able to run very long in my pregnancy. I was fairly deconditioned afterward,'' Alstatt said.
Our WCCO crews joined Alstatt for a quick jog in Arden Hills. She said exercise should be more about how you feel. That's when she reminded us that so many new moms are – well, really many of us, kids or not -- focus on that number on the scale.
"I think a lot of it is a mental perspective, so I try to get mom's to focus on the fact that they did just grow a baby and birth a baby and that's a big deal. So focus on weight loss and return to fitness," she said.
Through her own experience, this full-time mom and part-time runner, is hoping the Run Program will motivate moms to return to running at just the right pace.
"Just being able to get people back to what they are able to do, not only physically, but mentally," Alstatt said.
Alstatt recently ran her first 5K since the birth of her youngest.
Here four tips for new moms from Dawn:
1. Slowly return to your old mileage. She recommends no more than 10 percent a week after a successful week of training.
2. Focus on strengthening your core.
3. Focus on strengthening your extremities.
4. Finally respect your body, don't overdo it too soon, if you feel tired one day, it's OK to take a step back.