SHADES OF ME

WH digital editor Amy Lane shares her experience of becoming a mum, from easing back into fitness to learning to be kinder to herself

‘I schedule me-time the same way I would plan anything else in my week’

As a busy editor, author, podcaster and marathon runner, WH’S Amy Lane assumed she would take motherhood in her stride. ‘I was the strongest in mind and body I think I’ve ever been when I was nine months pregnant,’ she says. ‘I got pregnant shortly after training for a marathon, and just a couple of days before I had my little boy, Huxley, I was lifting weights.’

But she struggled after a difficult birth. ‘I ended up having to have a general anaesthetic, so I didn’t really understand what had just happened,’ Amy explains. ‘It was really tough. You’re trying to figure out what’s going on in your head, but you’ve also got this tiny baby that really needs you. You put so much focus on looking after them that you don’t really look after yourself when you need to the most. It took a good few months before I realised that I needed help.

‘I had to find the courage to ask for that help — and it didn’t mean that I was broken; it didn’t mean that I was a bad mum — it just meant that I wasn’t 100%. It was hard admitting that, but once I did, things got easier because I started to put in the work to help me feel mentally well again. Getting enough sleep was key, as was prioritising my wellbeing.’

Amy also had to negotiate the physical changes. ‘During pregnancy, I felt like Rachel from Friends — my hair was so gorgeous and glossy. But about six months after giving birth, it started to fall out in clumps. I was brushing it up off the carpet! I know it will improve when my hormones get back to normal, but I look for products that are more gentle on my hair now. I’ve been using Clairol Natural Instincts, a semipermanent colour that boosts shine and brings out my hair’s natural tones. It contains aloe vera and coconut oil to

‘I had to find the courage to ask for help — and it didn’t mean that I was broken; it didn’t mean that I was a bad mum’

help protect hair while it colours. It’s perfect for me because I like my hair to look quite natural — as if I’ve been out in the sun on holiday, which is when I feel happiest. I used the Light Blonde shade, which helped calm the contrast between my natural regrowth and my previously highlighted hair, and added a glossy glaze. It takes just 20 minutes, so it’s an easy way to top up the shine.’

Amy’s fitness regime also had to adapt. When the doctor told her she was physically able to start exercising again six weeks after giving birth, she realised she wasn’t mentally ready. ‘That was hard for my ego. I’m so used to being really active and I struggled not being that person. I had to prioritise my pelvicfloor strength and my mental wellbeing. I also had to find a workout plan that fitted around Huxley’s routine rather than him fitting around me. So some weeks I do three workouts, some weeks I do one and some weeks I do none. I like to keep the mantra: “Little by little, a little becomes a lot” in the back of my mind to remind myself that if I just keep chipping away at it, I will get there.’

So how does Amy find time for herself ? ‘I had to work out what was achievable and prioritise. I now schedule me-time the same way I would plan anything else in my week. My husband and I have set mornings when we get time to ourselves before the working day starts, so I squeeze some mindfulness in. Sometimes it’s 10 minutes, sometimes it’s just closing my eyes and taking 10 deep breaths, but it really resets me. I’ve also been organising more time with friends, be it a night out or a beauty treatment, so I’ve got those moments in my week that put a smile on my face and help me feel like my old self.’