To say that pregnancy changes your body is an understatement. You watch your body expand and swell in places you never thought could swell and watch stretch marks and varicose veins appear and wonder when and if they’ll ever go away again.While motherhood is magical, one can’t help but wonder “will you ever get your pre-baby body back again?” As a brand new first time mom, there are already so many questions about taking care of the new baby, will I ever find time for myself again?
When Mommy’s Bootcamp was recently launched, it seemed like a no-brainer. Fitness, spending time with your child, and enjoying the company of other adults all mixed into one. Why hasn’t someone organized this sooner? It seems like this new Mommy’s Bootcamp class is as much about fitness as it is about providing moms with a safe support group and place for their kids to practice their social skills.Founded by Vanderwegen Moreno Dorotea or Diva to her friends and students, the Belgian/Spanish dancer from the Fine Arts Academy of Brussels majored in ballet, contemporary and jazz dance and pursued a career as a professional dancer from the age of 17. After arriving in China back in 2009 to learn singing and acting, she discovered her love for Dance Fitness which changed her life forever. Diva became a certified dance fitness instructor, spinning instructor, Spartan SGX coach, high-intensity combat program, and established the brand Fitness With Diva in 2018.
Like with most great ideas, Mommy’s Bootcamp arose out of real-life needs. “I always realize how much of a challenge it was for women to get back to exercising after childbirth. I have seen it with my cousins and sisters in- law. The real trigger was my good friend here in Beijing that just gave birth in February 2020. She used to be at the gym and the spinning studio with me all the time, fit, great stamina, etc. Though after the birth of her daughter, when she tried to get back to it, she realized how difficult it was. As a young mother, her schedule had completely changed and became more unpredictable, also her baby needs constant care, and accessing a gym isn’t always easy. One day, she asked if we could go to the park to have a picnic and exercising a bit… That’s where it all started.” says Diva.Mommy’s Bootcamp is very different from regular fitness classes in the sense that babies are unpredictable, so the class works around them and include the babies in the workouts.
Diva believes that exercising is a stress reliever for new moms. It re-energizes the body when new moms are getting by very little sleep and it helps to balance the post-baby hormones, combats anxiety and depression as well as re-strengthen the body for the physical demands of motherhood. Not to mention helping them to regain control over an important aspect of their lives, getting their bodies moving and back on the road to feeling like their pre-pregnancy-selves which is one of the many things that mothers seem to want in common. It helps them feel like an aspect of their pre-baby lives are still their own.Another aspect that I found appealing about Mommy’s Bootcamp is that it doubles as a mental support group for new moms. For us first-timers, we’ve got a ton of questions and being able to casually chat about them with others who are going through the same and knowing that you’re not alone can make all the difference in the world. “The class is not only a moment for mommies to workout with their child but also to create connections between mommies and families. The most important aspect of the class is that the emphasis is on the needs of the mother and her baby. The class provides a safe space for mothers to work out without feeling like they can’t keep up or feel inadequate. It is a breath of fresh air to be around other women who fully understand the demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and raising a little human! They can feel free to go at their own pace, take a break to soothe, feed or run after their child!” says Diva.
Currently, Mommy’s Bootcamp meets once a week on Saturday mornings at 8.30am and lasts around 40 minutes for RMB 100 per session. The group usually stays around until 10am or so chatting, snacking, and sharing stories while the kids play and nap. Kids from 4 months old to 5 years old can take part in the workout with mommy, but it’s completely optional for them. Some like to play on the mats while others just like to enjoy a nice nap under the sun.Any mum can join in on a Mommy’s Bootcamp class regardless of their fitness level but Diva recommends talking to your physician first before starting exercises again after giving birth. Everyone’s body is different, and you need to let yours recover at your own pace. “I reinforce good form and alignment which are the two most important factors when it comes to exercising and even more for mommies whose bodies have undergone a tremendous change after giving birth. Strengthening the pelvis, core, lower back… are our goal number one goal. The physical demands of being a mother are very challenging, often mothers adopt bad postures, strain their backs whilst carrying or feeding their babies, so we work on rectifying all of that while holding the baby and leading to improving the way they feel during their daily activities.” Diva tells beijingkids.While some nap, a group of new moms is getting together and having a great time getting back into shape every Saturday morning. To get in touch with Diva and join in on the fun, add her on WeChat at DivaLisciouss0708 or on Instagram at fitness_with_diva.