Dr. Shannon Ritchey - The Perfect Workout Plan, Body Composition, Weightlifting When Pregnant, Health Myths & More!
Sep 27, 2024
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Dr. Shannon Ritchey, a former physical therapist and founder of Evlo Fitness, discusses her journey in creating a fitness approach that prioritizes well-being alongside traditional methods. She emphasizes the benefits of weightlifting during pregnancy and postpartum, debunking myths about exercise in these stages. With insights on body composition, nutrition tracking, and the emotional aspects of fitness, Dr. Ritchey encourages a balanced workout regimen tailored for women at all life stages, promoting health and recovery over excessive cardio.
Dr. Shannon Ritchey emphasizes the necessity of weightlifting during pregnancy to maintain muscle health and enhance postpartum recovery.
The podcast highlights the importance of listening to one's body postpartum, addressing pelvic floor issues, and avoiding injuries during recovery.
Myths around weightlifting for women are debunked, stressing the empowerment gained from strength training without the fear of excessive muscle gain.
Deep dives
Charity Highlight: I Stand With My Pack
The podcast emphasizes the significance of supporting animal rescue through the charity, I Stand With My Pack, which rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in Southern California. Each month, a 'Dog of the Month' segment is presented to raise awareness and encourage donations, featuring dogs like Leo, a large and affectionate husky-malamute mix looking for a forever home. Through fostering and donating, listeners are urged to contribute to the charity's mission, which ensures that every dollar goes toward helping dogs in need. The host passionately shares personal experiences and invites listeners to join in supporting these animals, highlighting the impact they can make together.
Postpartum Fitness Challenges
The discussion delves into the challenges faced postpartum, with the host reflecting on her struggles to maintain fitness levels after pregnancy. While she had a positive pregnancy experience, transitioning to postpartum fitness was difficult due to lifestyle changes and lack of consistency. Many women encounter pelvic floor issues and feel pressured to 'snap back,' often leading to injuries and further setbacks. The episode highlights the importance of listening to one's body during recovery and taking the necessary time to heal before returning to a rigorous workout regimen.
The Role of Weightlifting during Pregnancy
The importance of weightlifting during pregnancy for muscle maintenance and overall physical health is a key focus of the episode. The host asserts that many women are discouraged from lifting weights while pregnant but emphasizes that it can be both safe and beneficial. Lifting weights can strengthen muscles needed for labor and recovery, ultimately aiding in postpartum recovery and body composition. By building and retaining muscle during pregnancy, women can avoid starting from scratch post-delivery, fostering a healthier transition back to regular workouts.
Misconceptions about Weightlifting
The podcast confronts prevalent misconceptions about weightlifting, particularly among women, such as the fear of bulking up. The discussion clarifies that it takes significant effort and time to gain substantial muscle mass, emphasizing that many men, even with higher testosterone levels, find it challenging to bulk up. Instead, the hosts advocate for the empowerment that comes with building strength and understanding the science of muscle development. By reinforcing positive training habits, women can achieve desired results without the fear of becoming overly muscular.
Building Muscle and Nutrition Insights
Listeners receive practical advice regarding nutrition and muscle building, specifically the importance of adequate protein intake for strength training. The episode outlines a framework for effective workouts, emphasizing repetition, exercise selection, adequate protein, and structured training routines. Tracking nutritional intake can enhance results, as many individuals underestimate their protein consumption. The hosts discuss various dietary sources, like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, to help listeners increase their protein intake and maintain muscle as they engage in their weightlifting goals.
#757: Join us as we sit down with Dr. Shannon Ritchey, former physical therapist & Founder of Evlo Fitness. After years of working with athletes & fitness enthusiasts who were strong & fit, Dr. Ritchey recognized many riddled with pain & orthopedic issues. In this episode, Dr. Ritchey shares her journey of bridging the gap to traditional fitness approaches by focusing on optimal results while prioritizing your body’s well-being. Evlo Fitness delivers a comprehensive approach to your weight lifting regimen for every stage of life – from pregnancy to postpartum, or if you are simply looking to elevate your strength training!