What were your thoughts on how the sitting month would be? 

It turned out to be very different from what it actually is. Before, it was a little intimidating on my part because I wanted to be perfect in executing all the things. However, during the process I found myself at ease with the process because I was taking care of my body in the best way possible. Being able to rest as much as I did helped my brain stay calm. It is amazing looking back on the 30 days and seeing how happy and healthy I felt by just the nutrition alone. I felt so able and present with my family. 

One of my biggest fears was my mental health. My first postpartum experience with my first child was kind of a nightmare. I didn’t know how to prepare for what I experienced. This time around, preparing for what was to come was a huge benefit for me and my family. I truly believe that the sitting month and the food helped me tremendously. So much so, I’m now finding myself trying to simulate the experience even after 30 days. 

The hardest part during the 30 days for me was resting. I felt so good I wanted to go back to normal life so badly. However, listening to my body I knew that pushing it was only setting me back. Now after completing it, I feel very ready and healthy going back to normal activity. I’m honestly shocked. It took me at least 3 months with my first to feel the way I feel now, and my baby isn’t even 2 months old yet! 

There were a couple dishes that were my favorite. I loved the tilapia and rice. The choy sum is something I could have with every meal! My favorite dessert was the black rice purple looking rice dish. 

I also loved drinking the rice tea. 

I loved how simple everything was. The mushrooms were amazing and the veggies. I honestly wish I was still in it reflecting on all this food haha

How did The Sitting Month affect your baby?

He was amazing! I’m actually dealing with reflux and constipation issues after being out of the 30 days. The intake of food has changed and it is not the greatest for him. During the sitting month he was amazing! He’s gained so much weight. Born 3 weeks early at 7lbs 5oz he’s 11lbs 13oz at 7 weeks old! He’s exclusively breastfed and I truly think it helped him! No reflux or constipation within the 30 days.

How did your family and friends respond?

It was a little hard with family to practice the resting part of it. They understood and wanted me to rest but I don’t think they knew how much I did before the baby came, hahaha, resting was hard, but they understood when I said I was done for the day. 

Would you recommend other women do this and why?

Absolutely! Why not? I didn’t have a lot of complications with birth or anything, but I felt amazing in my recovery and the food was amazing. The peace and connection I had with my body was amazing as well. Why not try it and see if they can have the same experience. 

Was it hard to follow the rules?

Not really. I’m used to following protocol from all my bodybuilding days. It does take an adjustment period though, so once you realize that first week is the adjustment period to setting a new routine I think the next weeks are easier and routine. 

Were you strict with yourself or did you just add into your life what you felt resonated with you?

I think I was pretty strict. There were a couple of times where I had some baked goodies like pumpkin pie (tis the season lol) but my body was craving it over multiple days so I justified it haha! I loved the warm water and nothing cold rule. I’m convinced I didn’t have night sweats or anything extreme because of the warm state I was putting my body in. The balancing of my body was amazing. The more strict I was the less bleeding I had and I stopped after 2 weeks completely. I 100% would do this whole thing again! 

How did it affect your family- positive/negative?

I think it helped my family. I wasn’t stressing about dinners or food for everyone and they saw how happy I was. They respected what I was doing. 

Were there any sacrifices you had to make to do it?

No, not really. We planned ahead so it wasn’t such a big transition. 

Was it worth it?

100% absolutely worth it! Down to the bitter teas!! 

 What differences have you noticed since eating your typical foods again? Has your baby reacted to typical foods?

 Now I’m back on my regular food. He has reflux and so I’m dairy free right now. He has it pretty bad where he has to take medicine.. poor guy. And constipation we are working through. He still loves eating though haha! 

What is the transition like? The transition to starting and the transition to finishing?

I gave myself grace to start the program at the beginning. I knew it wasn’t going to be 110% the first day, so I picked the most important things to me and made sure I did those. The transition out of the program was harder because I was enjoying it so much, plus with holidays all the food is crap so my body became inflamed a little for a couple days after.

Did anyone make comments to you about your choice to rest for a month? How did you advocate for yourself?How did including family and friends in your recovery change your recovery?

The thing I had to advocate for the most was resting. In today’s traditional postpartum you’re back to normal after 15 days, so as week 3 hit, I was still trying to rest as much as I was in the beginning. I had to communicate to my husband and say I need a nap. You have both kids and just kinda left to lay down, lol. My dad would take my 6 year old some days to help. I’m the worst when it comes to asking for help so I had to pre plan times for my dad or husband to watch the kids. My family was very intrigued and respectful of the whole process. It honestly was amazing 

What are your thoughts now on women really supporting each other after childbirth?

100% support women helping women! It’s so needed!! Losing my mom I knew I would miss that support she gave, and so letting others step in and help gave me so much comfort and honestly confidence that I could get through the postpartum process. I think that if women were more open to letting other women in, it would be a much better postpartum experience for everyone. There is so much power in it.