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!