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Monica Bencomo, who works as a health and fitness coach, couldn’t wait to get back to working out after giving birth to her baby daughter, Ariel. Bencomo, who has a company called Moms Wear Heels, introduced a few workouts where she included her daughter she’s breastfeeding, People reports.
Bencomo, who’s 30 years old, told People, “I took about a month off, and slowly began introducing compound movements in while she napped like weighted squats, pull ups and push up. It felt amazing to move my body and gain my strength back, and in the comfort of my own home.”
Ariel got increasingly attached to her mom even when she reached a year old. So, Bencomo just decided to take her with her to the real gym instead of dropping her off to the daycare.
Bencomo said, “I tried taking her to the gym daycare and she hated it. So I figured, why not work out in front of them? After she acclimated to squatting with her mom and big bro, she began yanking my sports bra to the side for a snack during our family workout videos.”
Bencomo, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was initially concerned about what other people would think. However, her desire to support the National Breastfeeding Week beats more than her fear of humiliation. The special celebration week was happening at that time, so Bencomo took that as an opportunity.
Bencomo said, “I honestly thought that since I do it, that MANY people did due to sheer convenience. But turns out, many women sit down, breastfeed, and lose their motivation to finish their workouts. Instead of letting that happen, I incorporate her into my lifestyle.”
Some of the exercises that mommy does with her daughter are glute bridges, wall-sits, and leg lifts. She had to take it slow and careful for her baby.
Bencomo said, “Knowing my daughter is safe, nourished and happy brings me joy during my workouts! I simply increase reps while lowering the resistance and weight. I still am able to tone up, get a sweat and ensure Ariel is happy.”
She added, “It was quite the experience. On one hand, I felt incredibly confident and strong, like a breastfeeding goddess warrior! On the other hand, some girls backstage were not friendly and thought it was crazy; I heard comments about how I wasn’t stage ready yet.”
She wasn’t going to let negative comments bother her. She’ll just continue to do what she thinks is fun as well as safe for her daughter.
