The Fit Mam Club: a letter from our founder
If you’re reading this as a new mam snuggling her newborn but covered in sick, a toddler mam pulling her hair out, or a mam who has already seen many seasons, we see you. Let me give you an insight into why the fit mam club was born.
First things first, on a surface level, when I first had my baby last year I really struggled, as a girl who enjoyed outfits and getting ready previously, with how on earth to dress my new body. Not only how to dress but how to FEEL GOOD. Day two, you’re staring down at this alien body that you are so deeply grateful for because it gave you your baby… but how do I dress her?!
I searched and searched all social media to find somewhere to show me what I could wear postpartum but genuinely felt like there was nothing. (I don’t know where I thought I was going with leaking boobs and my adult nappy) but the point was I at least wanted to plan and prep and feel like there was still something for me?! Not sure I expected to see someone creating content whilst still relying on their peri bottle to have a wee but I was hoping for somethingggggg.
Fast forward a few months I was purely living in survival mode, I didn’t seem to resonate with the mam and baby classes (he fell asleep in them anyway) and I was so incredibly anxious.
I just couldn’t figure out how to get back to me whilst continuing to be a great mam. We had moved back to penshaw close to our families when I was still pregnant so I was far away from everything I used to be able to walk to in Gateshead. And that’s where the search began for some sort of mam group or walk or SOMETHING that felt more me. But wow, again I was at a loss… the search was overwhelming because there was so much this time… well which is for the best, how do I get the courage to go and show up as myself but as a mam now?
You fear all you have to talk about is nipple cream, night feeds and baby sick… but, that’s ok? That’s your current moment, that’s your life and your joy and your frustration and anxiety all in one. You’re craving connection with other mams who can resonate with that.
7 months postpartum, deep into the fog, I was determined to get back into fitness for my own mental health more than anything. I had a plan-ish, I made an Instagram (@ncfit___) to hold myself accountable (and again try and connect) and off I went into the world of commercial gyms again. Wow what a shock that was. I thought, CHRIST, even training is completely different. I felt completely out of my depth after almost 9 years of training in the gym previously. I broke down. How do I ever start to feel like me again?!
And that’s when I found my current gym Studio 6. I went for a consultation and FINALLY felt heard. To feel so seen after so long felt like coming home. My coach, who is a pre and postnatal expert, started me in the postnatal fitness classes after fully assessing what I needed as an individual (I was a nervous wreck at first) but slowly I began to come back to myself through movement and fitness. Caring less about how my postpartum body looked but being incredibly impressed by all she has done and all she could do! Reframing one step at a time. Truly Studio 6 has been and still is monumental in helping me show up as my evolved self.
And truly I want to help bridge the gap and bring other mams that peace. To understand, it’s more than ok, it’s NECESSARY to try and prioritise you.
Being a good mam does not mean you have to always be burnt out trying to please everyone but yourself. There is still room for you. Even if that starts with 10 minutes or one hour a week. If you can, make it just for you.
The mental load is so intense, on top of everything, you’re trying to understand your new body, keep your new baby safe and fed, and survive on SMP… you also just want to connect with people who are in the same stage of life as you. Because if you didn’t do any pregnancy classes etc how do you find them?! I see you, I was and am you. Which is why I created the fit mam club.
TFMC aims to bring everything postpartum together in one place. Drawing from my own experience as a mam to the collective community and beyond.
We’re not a gym. We’re not a parenting blog. We’re the bridge - your go to guide for what’s happening across the North East, inspo for feeling confident in your postpartum body and a resource hub to help you find movement near you - built by mams, for mams.
The fog, the identity shift, the feeling of being stretched in every direction - it doesn’t vanish after maternity leave. We’re here. With real talk, gentle support, and reminders that you’re not alone in the chaos.
Let’s build a community together.
sending so much love, Naomi x