Have you ever felt the pressure to ‘bounce back’ after pregnancy? You’re not alone. This societal expectation often leaves new mothers feeling overwhelmed and defeated even before they begin their postpartum journey. But what if the key to regaining your strength and feeling good again isn’t about rushing to shed pounds, but about being kind to yourself first?

Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer, shared her honest, eye-opening experience in a recent Business Insider article titled “I'm a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant. Being kind to myself made getting fit again much easier.”. Instead of succumbing to the relentless pressure to ‘bounce back’ after childbirth, Emily chose to embrace her body’s journey and treat herself with compassion. This mindset shift transformed her postpartum fitness experience, making the process not only manageable but empowering.

The Problem With “Bouncing Back” Culture

The phrase “bounce back” sounds simple and motivating on the surface, but it often reduces an incredibly complex and transformative time in a person’s life to a challenge of speed and aesthetics. It overlooks the emotional, hormonal, and physical hurdles that come with pregnancy and childbirth.

Many new mothers face unrealistic expectations, which can lead to feelings of guilt, anxiety, and lowered self-esteem. The pressure to immediately look and perform as they did before pregnancy ignores the fact that pregnancy changes bodies — often permanently in some ways — and that healing and rebuilding strength is a gradual process.

Why Kindness to Yourself Is a Game-Changer

Emily’s story reminds us that treating yourself with patience and understanding isn’t just a feel-good platitude. It’s a practical approach that paves the way for sustainable health and fitness improvements. When you accept where you are now instead of fighting against it, you reduce stress and give your body the space it needs to recover.

Here are a few insights from Emily’s journey that anyone navigating postpartum fitness can apply:

• Embrace Being a “Beginner” Again: Starting fresh means acknowledging your current limits. This humility opens the door for growth without frustration.
• Prioritize Mental Wellness: The emotional aspect of recovery is just as critical as the physical.
• Set Realistic, Incremental Goals: Small wins build momentum and confidence.
• Celebrate Your Body’s Strengths: Pregnancy and childbirth are achievements in themselves.

What This Means for Fertility and Parenthood Journeys

Whether you’re expecting, postpartum, or considering paths to parenthood like at-home insemination, this lesson in self-compassion can be life-changing. Getting pregnant is a huge physical and emotional undertaking, often compounded by societal pressures and personal expectations.

For those using at-home insemination kits, like those offered by MakeAMom, the journey can be both empowering and daunting. MakeAMom specializes in providing discreet, cost-effective at-home options that give individuals and couples control over their fertility process. Knowing that you can take steps toward parenthood in a private and supportive way aligns perfectly with the ethos of kindness and self-care.

The Takeaway: Redefining What Recovery and Success Look Like

It’s time to change the narrative around postpartum recovery and fertility journeys. Instead of harsh deadlines and impossible standards, treat yourself like the incredible human you are — deserving of patience and respect.

Next time you feel the urge to “bounce back,” ask yourself:

• What would it feel like to be kind to yourself?
• How can I celebrate my body’s resilience today?
• What small, joyful step can I take towards wellness?

Sharing stories like Emily’s and embracing tools that support your unique fertility path, like MakeAMom’s at-home kits, can create a more compassionate and effective approach to parenthood.

So, what’s your postpartum or fertility journey look like? Have you found kindness to yourself to be a powerful motivator? Share your thoughts and stories with us — let’s build a community that lifts each other up through every step.

Inspired by Emily Ricketts’ powerful story on Business Insider: I'm a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant. Being kind to myself made getting fit again much easier.