{"id":3913,"date":"2023-02-01T06:46:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T19:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/?p=3913"},"modified":"2023-09-07T23:30:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T13:30:49","slug":"central-coast-post-baby-body-acceptance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/central-coast-post-baby-body-acceptance\/","title":{"rendered":"Embracing Your Post-Baby Body: Debunking Fitness Myths for Central Coast Mums"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Louise Hurley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On some small level, the health and fitness industry has had some big shake ups when it comes to promoting what it means to have a healthy body thanks to more and more influencers on social media now talking about positive body image. If you follow influencers spreading the word on body acceptance and body positivity, you\u2019re likely to see more images of real bodies \u2013 by that I mean post baby tummies, stretch marks, cellulite and scars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in general there\u2019s still a long way to go when it comes to recognising that a healthy, well functioning body comes in all shapes, sizes and weights. Whether unconsciously or consciously, many people and fitness businesses still spread the message that the typical post baby body, with it\u2019s loose skin, tummy rolls, stretch marks, veins and scars is flawed in the way it looks. I\u2019ve lost count of the number of \u201chealth and fitness\u201d services I\u2019ve seen that promise you a flat tummy or tell you that by following their diet plan you can get your pre baby body back. Whilst these messages may mean well (because they\u2019re supposedly helping mums to regain their health), what the message actually says is \u201cyour postnatal body shows that you\u2019ve had a baby, and it\u2019s not as good as it was before\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m on a mission to let all mums, no matter what stage of motherhood they\u2019re at, know that they are more than their post baby body. So I want to share a few truth bombs with you with the intention of helping you to 1) understand why trying to get your pre baby body back should not be a goal and 2) to encourage you to show more self compassion towards that wondrous, capable and resilient mum body of yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

truth bomb #1
you will never get your pre baby body back<\/strong>
We need to get rid of the phrase \u201cget your pre baby body back\u201d from not only the fitness industry, but everyone\u2019s vocabulary. Your body is not meant to be the same after you\u2019ve had a baby, it has changed on so many levels, even down to the width of your hips and the size of your feet! (Did you know that? Yep, you can go up a shoe size after pregnancy!) But this doesn\u2019t mean your post baby body is worse. You can be fitter and stronger than ever before after having a baby with the right team of professionals in your corner. Nevertheless, your body will still be different, which is not the same as worse. Different can mean resilient and strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

truth bomb #2
your body naturally holds onto fat after you\u2019ve had a baby\u2026and it\u2019s completely normal!<\/strong>
The trouble is, we don\u2019t see enough of it in the media. We\u2019re constantly exposed to headlines and images telling us how this or that celebrity lost their baby weight. Very rarely are we exposed to images of normal mum bodies in the media with a positive headline attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several factors involved with holding onto body fat after having a baby, including age, the number of babies you have, hormones and how much weight your body gained during pregnancy. Most women (but not all) very slowly lose most of (but not all) the weight their body gained during pregnancy. One study suggests that the majority of women over 30 who have a baby will retain 2kg over their pre pregnancy body weight (Janney, 1997). It is 100% normal to not return to your pre pregnancy weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

truth bomb #3
reset your expectations<\/strong>
Getting back to somewhere near your \u201cnormal\u201d body weight can take up to 12\u201324 months, or, as discussed in point number one, it may not happen at all. Reset your expectations of bouncing back after having a baby, because it\u2019s impossible (not to mention extremely dangerous to your health) and only leads to feelings of failure, stress and tiredness. All the things you do not want when you have a baby to look after!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

truth bomb #4
your weight, size and shape does not equal your worth!<\/strong>
The number on the scales or on your clothes tags is just a number, which can fluctuate due to a whole range of factors. What your body looks like does not equal your worth as a woman or a mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with these truth bombs in mind, what practical things can you do to make yourself feel like you again?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n