Strong Like a Mother
Welcome to Strong Like a Mother—the podcast for moms who refuse to settle and are ready to prioritize their health, build strength, and thrive in the beautiful chaos of motherhood. I’m Tiffany Wickes, your host, fitness coach, and mom to seven wild and wonderful kids. Each episode, we’ll dive into practical tips, expert advice, and real talk about balancing fitness, family, and fun. Together, we’ll crush your goals, grow stronger every day, and prove that motherhood and muscle go hand in hand. Let’s get started!
Strong Like a Mother
145. Pregnant Again? What My Body Looked Like After a Mountain Marathon
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A week and a half after completing my first mountain marathon, I received a surprising comment on social media asking if I was pregnant. While the question made me laugh, it opened the door to an important conversation about recovery, body image, and what actually happens to the body after a major endurance event.
In this episode, I break down the physiology behind post-race weight fluctuations, water retention, inflammation, glycogen restoration, and why many women mistakenly assume they've "ruined their progress" after a race, intense training cycle, or other major physical challenge. The reality is that a body recovering well often looks softer, fuller, and puffier than expected—and that's usually a sign that it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
I also draw parallels between marathon recovery and motherhood, discussing how pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding place enormous demands on the body that deserve the same patience, grace, and respect we give athletic recovery. Too often, women expect themselves to bounce back immediately from significant physical stressors without allowing time for healing.
This episode is a reminder that recovery is not failure. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is trust the process, nourish your body, and allow it to rebuild stronger than before.
Key Takeaways
- Post-marathon weight gain is often caused by water retention, inflammation, and glycogen restoration—not body fat gain.
- A body that looks softer after a major endurance event is often a body that is recovering effectively.
- Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding are significant physiological stressors that require time, nourishment, and recovery.
- Performance goals and aesthetic goals don't always align, and there are seasons when recovery deserves to take priority.
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