WHILE pregnant with her second baby, Yanyah Milutinović took pride in her physical appearance and fitness level by lifting heavy weights regularly.
The 34-year-old fitness addict loves body building so much that even within weeks of giving birth, she was back in the gym lifting 225lb weights.
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Yanyah, from New York, even says her body is so strong that she managed to push baby Vuk out in less than 30 seconds.
She says: “I was in labour for a total of seven hours, but I pushed my 9lbs son out in one single push – and in less than 30 seconds.
“It’s absolutely remarkable! And I am so proud of myself, and my body.”
After giving birth, Yanyah struggled to get off the sofa without help, but she was keen to start exercising again after staying active throughout her pregnancy.
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To get herself moving again, the influencer started doing breathing exercises and pelvic floor workouts to get herself ready for the gym and two-and-half weeks postpartum, she was back.
She says: “My focus was on my healing, and on my physical performance and not so much on the aesthetics in postpartum.
“In these last four months, I have safely rebuilt my strength after giving birth. I have even surpassed my strength in many lifts, lifting a lot heavier than what I ever have in my life.”
Five weeks after giving birth, she was squatting with more than 100kg – and six months after giving birth, she’s now squatting nearly 200kg.
Yanyah, who also lives with husband Risel Martinez, 31, and their older daughter Smiljana, three, has now beaten her pre-pregnancy record.
She says: “From not being able to pick anything off the floor, I am now dead lifting 315lbs (142kg) for 10 repetitions with ease.
“My goal was to squat 225lbs, which I reached at five weeks postpartum.
“And my second goal was 315lbs, which I reached at nine weeks postpartum.
My goal was to squat 225lbs, which I reached at five weeks postpartum
Yanyah
“Then at five months postpartum, I squatted 405lbs for one rep; and had my big total, which was squat, deadlift and chest press within 60 minutes, at 920lbs.”
Yanyah urges others to work on their floor throughout pregnancy.
She says: “I have never leaked, not even a little bit, ever. I have listened to my body and worked on my pelvic floor strength/health long before I decided to ever become pregnant.
“My pelvic floor is equally as strong as the rest of my body and with the proper exercises I have been able to heal myself from two pregnancies without any complications.”
Yanyah doesn’t restrict any foods, but focuses on eating protein-rich meals to fuel her body for heavy lifting.
She says: “There is no ‘right vs wrong’ time to eat.
“It’s not like you will lose weight just because you stop eating after 6pm, and the more you obsess about something, and restrict yourself, the more likely it will all fail and not be sustainable for the long run.
“We need to be able to enjoy birthdays, holidays and business dinners too.”
She also encourages new mums not to rush to lose weight after pregnancy.
Yanyah says: “The truth is that most women lose muscle mass in pregnancy and the overall body composition changes like never before.
“Instead of focusing on weight loss, be patient, and accepting of your current physique and circumstances, focus on rebuilding your body, and on the overall bigger picture, get your functional strength back safely.”
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For other stories about mums, you might like to read about this mum who finally got to her dream weight before finding out she was pregnant 30 minutes later
Or this mum who reveals a simple trick to stop people asking if they can hold your baby