Body Image After Baby

Something many people struggle with during pregnancy and postpartum is body image. It can be really challenging to watch your body change so much (and rapidly) during pregnancy, and then have the crushing societal expectations of “bouncing back” after birth. So today I wanted to give 4 tips that may help with feelings of negative body image while you’re going through this major life transition.

If we are meeting for the first time - Hi! Welcome to Vibrant Mama Wellness! My name is Megan, and I am a pre and postnatal personal trainer. I am certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, with a specialization in pre+postnatal fitness through Pronatal fitness. I am a mom of one, and became interested in pre + postnatal fitness as I was going through my own pregnancy journey!

(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. This blog post is based on my own research and experience - please consult a medical professional before starting or making any changes to your exercise program).

Okay so let's jump into it! Here are my 4 tips if you're feeling down about your body after having a baby.

Tip #1: Think about all of the things your body has done for you!

In addition to growing an entire human being and creating life, your body works day in and day out to keep you alive. Thinking about all the ways your body is working for you on a daily basis can help bring some feelings of gratitude towards your body rather than resentment. You heart beating, your lungs breathing air in and out, your brain helping you carry out every single daily function - the list goes on and on!

Tip #2: Stay away from the scale.

Unless you’ve been instructed by a doctor to monitor your weight, put it away. Remember that your body took 9 months to make a baby, and labor (no matter how you birthed your baby) is pretty traumatic on your body. It takes time to heal! You also are going through a lot of hormonal fluctuations and the scale will fluctuate. This is normal. Rather than fixating on a number, shift your focus to how you feel. Wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel confident! No one is winning a prize for fitting into their pre-pregnancy jeans.

Tip #3: Fuel your body with nutritious foods that make you feel good mentally and physically.

Loading up your plate with nutrient dense foods (think protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, and fiber) are not only going to keep your energy up, but also keep you satisfied! This is not the time to diet - get creative in the kitchen and make meals that you thoroughly enjoy and also keep you fueled!

Tip #4: Move your body in a way that feels good

This is going to look different for everyone because we all enjoy different activities! But this can look like: going outside for a walk, dancing to your favorite tunes in the kitchen, chasing your toddler around the playground, playing fetch with your dog, or doing some squats while you catch up on your favorite show!! Movement and exercise should always leave us feeling better than when we started, so if the type of movement you’re doing doesn’t feel good - it’s time to switch it up!

So there are my 4 best tips to helping with body image after baby. I hope you found these tips helpful, and if you have any to add feel free to drop them in the comments!

Like this post and want more?

Download my free postpartum guide: https://www.vibrantmamawellness.com/freebie

Join my free community on Facebook: bit.ly/vibrantmamas

Connect on Social!

Instagram: instagram.com/vibrantmamwellness

Facebook: facebook.com/vibrantmamawellness

Tiktok: tiktok.com/@vibrantmamawellness

Pinterest: pinterest.com/vibrantmamawellness

Disclaimer: This blog does not serve as medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before starting a new fitness routine. This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.