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DON’T feel guilty for wanting to get back into shape after a baby

Yes you read that right. And I’m hoping that title doesn’t offend anyone. I’m thinking you are wondering where I am going with this one so hear me out. I wanted to get back into shape very quickly after having my girls and is this a problem?

For as long as I can remember I have heard an out cry on social media, blogs and the media in general against the pressure on new Mums to get back into shape. If you even dare look in the celeb bit in the Daily Mail (don’t), it’s full of it. This person is ‘wow’ back in shape 8 weeks after giving birth. Blah, blah. Some of these celebs will have chefs or personal trainers but I reckon the majority have got good genes or just didn’t gain that much weight generally in the first place. It’s not really the point. This isn’t a “news” story and I agree this pressure shouldn’t exist. It’s not realistic. We all differ in genetics, metabolism, body composition and in diet and activity levels. Hell, some of us just don’t want to think about our bodies after a baby and it’s the last thing to consider. So I can understand the outcry. The pressure shouldn’t be there.

BUT! I do almost think the outcry has almost gone full circle. After I had given birth it almost felt like I should be ashamed of myself for counting down the days until I was ready to get back to the gym. I’ll freely admit I wanted to get back in shape. I’d lost my bum and some of my muscle definition, plus strength. The weight did come off me quickly but I didn’t gain tonnes when I was pregnant! I breastfed and ate normally. The loss was safe and steady. I did plenty of walking and got back to the gym after 4-5 weeks.

I was ready and wanted to get back. Just like there should be no pressure to get back to shape, there should be no pressure to feel you shouldn’t! I love my daughters but I have a husband who works from home, so I can slot in a workout now and then. The gym is my “me time”, the time I get away and relax. I forget about worries, have a laugh with some of my fellow gym-goers and keep fit in the meantime.

Body shaming isn’t right either way. I always remember finding the “All about the Bass” song by Meighan Trainor quite offensive. All though I loved the idea of celebrating all shapes and not letting a man or woman tell you otherwise, the use of the term ‘skinny bitches’ quite frankly really wound me up. I’m slim, skinny, thin whatever and so are many young girls. I’m sure they don’t want to thought of as a skinny bitch. It’s also not nice to be made to feel unattractive because of it. For me, some of my slimness is of course, genetic and not something I want to be made to feel ashamed over.

And for me, getting back there are a baby was a priority. It was also great for my mental health. I’m prone to anxiety now and then and keeping active really helps me.

Bottom line, you do exactly what YOU want after having your little one. If you want to pound the streets with your headphones on (like me), then go for it. If you want to snuggle on the sofa with your baby and not even consider exercise, so be it.

Lose the shaming either way and all is just so much better!

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16 Comments

  1. January 24, 2018 / 7:03 am

    Hi, it is interesting to read about eh other side of wanting to go back to the gym, if you are healthy and sensible and it is right for an indviduial that is all that really counts #BloggersBest

  2. January 24, 2018 / 10:49 am

    I think the difficulty with this is referring to is as ‘getting back’, when for most women their post-baby body will be very different to the one they had before. So it’s often unrealistic to talk about going back, because there is no going back. You just have to move forward and make the best of what you’ve got, and above all look after your health as much as possible.
    #bloggersbest

  3. January 24, 2018 / 12:33 pm

    You know I’ll agree with you on this. I went back to working out 3 weeks after Poppy and even less after Oliver because that was what was right for me. It wasn’t that I felt pressure to get back into shape but nor did I want to slob around in a puke stained dressing gown as the other stereotype of new mums go. It’s personal choice and for me working out is so important mentally and physically and nobody should feel ashamed of that! Thanks for hosting #bloggersbest

  4. January 24, 2018 / 1:00 pm

    Wouldn’t it be great if everyone minded their own business about stuff like this? It’s really up to the person what they do – some want to get back into the gym by day two whilst others want to take a more slowly.

  5. January 24, 2018 / 8:32 pm

    I tired to get back into shape right away after my last baby. However, I have a harder time now finding the time now that they are all older! #bloggersbest

  6. January 25, 2018 / 1:30 am

    You’re right, nobody should be shamed! I never really thought of the song lines, but she does say that! #BloggersBest

  7. January 25, 2018 / 5:44 am

    I couldn’t wait to get back into shape too after both my pregnancies. Hey, it’s your body and you have the right to do whatever you please!

    No need to feel guilty, sweetie.

    • January 25, 2018 / 5:45 am

      Ooops! Forgot the tag!

      #bloggersBest

  8. Jaki
    January 25, 2018 / 12:14 pm

    Absolutely. It is up to the individual and at that time of our life we have to do what’s right for us. I can remember trying to lose the baby weight and I went at it too hard and ended up making myself poorly. I waited a while, tried again and it was fine. I’m sick of us being made to feel bad about anything and everything. #bloggersbest

  9. January 25, 2018 / 8:54 pm

    Body shaming of any kind is just ugly. No one should be scorned for loving and living in their new mommy skin and no one should be judged for heading to the gym. Every body is different! Thanks for sharing
    #bloggersbest

  10. Krystal Herrera
    January 26, 2018 / 7:35 am

    Nothing wrong if you’re wanting to get back in shape after giving birth. Continue to motivate yourself and for your baby too. Anyways, great post!

  11. Jen
    January 26, 2018 / 12:38 pm

    I completely agree with this. What’s right for one person isn’t necessarily right for the next. #bloggersbest

  12. January 26, 2018 / 9:17 pm

    Nobody should be body shamed,I don’t even know why there is this pressure on people to lost baby weight as soon as they have a baby. Crazy. #bloggersbests

  13. January 30, 2018 / 6:58 pm

    I was back running 4 weeks after the birth of each of my three & each time I felt like it was something I should be ashamed of and should hide – I just didn’t mention it! #bloggersbest

  14. February 23, 2018 / 11:53 pm

    Thank you for sharing DON’T feel guilty for wanting to get back into shape after a baby post. Totally agree- every woman needs to let go of all the guilt! We should embrace the changes our bodies go through and do things to create a positive dialogue. 🙂

    Whats your best motivator that you suggest to others?