Body change is one of the challenges that women encounter during pregnancy. But this does not stop the 33 year-old new mommy from being active when she has her baby son.

Karen Siah, a Master Of the Streets Online Race ambassador wants help others to become stronger in their fitness journey. Besides, being a mother and a personal trainer, she wants to encourage all new mommies out there to be strong and embrace their own skin.

Let's learn more about her pregnancy journey on how she incorporates running with it to keep her healthy.

RS: Master Of The Streets is an online race that challenges runners to conquer the place that they run in. So can you share with us your favourite place to run?

Karen: I like to go to different places to run, but mostly I will go to Taman Tun or Damansara area as it is close to my house. As for the long run during weekends, I am able to drive further to meet my friends in Hartamas area because it is hilly.

RS: What drives you to include running in your daily life?

Karen: I started running since high school, running is always the thing that I love to do. It has given me lots of opportunity to visit new places such as travelling for race events. To me, running is an easy way to get fitter and stronger. You do not need any additional equipment for running as well.

RS: What is your reason to run daily?

Karen: It used to just compete, especially when I was a student. But nowadays, I take it just to stay fit as I am a new mother. It is quite challenging for me, so if I get the chance to get out and run for 30 to 40 minutes, that will be my exercise for the day. It also helps me to take a break as a mother.

RS: What do you enjoy the most throughout your running journey? 

Karen: Everything actually! The feels good vibe during or after my run.

Running plays a huge role in my life. Through that, I learned a lot about myself too.

RS: How do you motivate yourself when you encounter a challenging race?

Karen: At the end of the day, what you want out of that session is important, especially now I do not have lots of time as a new mother. When I focus on my target, it helps me to motivate myself. Also, as long as, I get to finish the race.

RS: How do you manage your time between work out, coaching and taking care of your baby?

Karen: I am very lucky and blessed that I have my parents to take care of my child. I am able to leave my son for a while and go for work. They support and help me a lot during this journey. I realised that you will learn super time management skills after becoming a mother.

RS: What is the best advice you would give to all new runner mommies who want to get back in shape fast?

Karen: First of all, you need to know your own limits very well. For me, I was keeping myself active during my pregnancy journey, but that was with the doctor approval.

So, I kept being active until the very last month of my pregnancy, but of course, I gradually slow down. I think that really helps me to get back into shape after having my son. Yoga for post-pregnancy helps as well.

My advice for someone who is pregnant or just give birth, is to find out more about lower impact exercises to strengthen your core before you get back into running (with doctor approval).

RS: Now, with our favourite question. What does running means to you?

Karen: Running means a lot to me. It was my first sport that I took seriously back in high school. There are ups and downs during my running journey. I think myself with running have a long journey, that it is a marathon. Also, through running, I learned a lot about myself too.

Karen believes that new mommies can get back in shape if they started running. It's doesn't have to be fast as long as you start moving, that's why joining Master Of The Street is the best way to get started.