Why 'Bouncing Back' After Pregnancy Is A Toxic Myth – And What REALLY Helps

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Marcus Williams — 4 min

Let’s get real: Pregnancy changes everything. And if you’re staring down postpartum fitness with a mental image of ‘bouncing back’ like a superhero, it’s time for a mindset makeover.

I recently dove into an eye-opening piece from Business Insider titled ‘I’m a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant. Being kind to myself made getting fit again much easier.’ This story isn’t just inspiring — it’s a game-changer for how we think about postpartum fitness and self-compassion.

Spoiler alert: The magic isn’t in rushing back to old routines or punishing your body for temporary changes. It’s in being kind to yourself and embracing the new beginner's mindset that pregnancy forces upon us.

The Toxic ‘Bounce Back’ Pressure

Let’s face it. Everywhere you look, social media and culture scream, “Get your pre-baby body back NOW!” But reality? That pressure often leads to burnout, guilt, and worse mental health. The Business Insider piece spotlights Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds during pregnancy and found peace not by rushing back, but by accepting she was starting fresh.

Imagine unlocking a mindset that says: “It’s okay to be a beginner again.” Sounds refreshing, right?

Why Being a Beginner Postpartum Is a Superpower

In her story, Emily reframed postpartum fitness as a new journey — not a race against time. This shift helped her mentally and physically rebuild her strength and allowed her to approach workouts with patience and respect for her body’s needs.

Here’s why this matters:

You rebuild from a new baseline: Your body has undergone incredible changes, so expecting the same performance immediately is unrealistic.
Mental kindness fuels physical progress: Stress and self-criticism can sabotage your efforts faster than skipping leg day.
Progress over perfection: Small, steady wins beat crash diets and unrealistic goals every time.

How Can You Apply This to Your Fertility and Postpartum Journey?

If you’re exploring conception technologies or navigating pregnancy and postpartum transitions, understanding the importance of kindness and realistic goals is critical. Whether you’re managing fertility challenges or preparing for parenthood, patience is your best friend.

At-home insemination options, like those from MakeAMom’s BabyMaker kit, offer flexibility and control—similar to how approaching your postpartum fitness with kindness empowers you to move at your own pace. It’s about creating a supportive environment, whether for your mental health or physical wellness.

Tips to Embrace Your Postpartum Beginner’s Mindset

Ditch the comparison game. Your journey is uniquely yours.
Celebrate micro wins. Managed a 5-minute walk today? That’s progress!
Seek out positive communities. Whether online or in person, support changes everything.
Set curiosity over judgment. Explore new workouts or nutrition without demanding perfection.
Be flexible with goals. Your body’s needs will change day to day.

The Bigger Picture: Mental Health is Fertility Health

We often silo physical health from mental wellness, but stories like Emily’s remind us these threads are tightly woven. Being kind to yourself during fertility and postpartum journeys reduces stress and can improve outcomes, too.

Programs and products designed with sensitivity—like MakeAMom’s reusable kits tailored for unique needs such as sensitivities or specific sperm conditions—embody this compassionate approach. They offer practical solutions that meet people where they are, not where society says they should be.

In Conclusion: Be Your Own MVP

The takeaway? The postpartum and fertility journey isn’t about a quick comeback or meeting arbitrary standards. It’s about honoring your body’s story, being patient, and approaching every step with kindness.

If you’re considering at-home insemination or just starting your postpartum fitness journey, remember that the real ‘bounce back’ comes from self-love and realistic goals. So, what if you gave yourself permission to be a beginner again?

We want to hear from you! What’s one way you’ve embraced kindness in your fertility or postpartum journey? Drop your story in the comments and let’s build a community that celebrates progress, not perfection.