self-compassion

Have you ever felt pressured to 'bounce back' after pregnancy? You're not alone. Society often sets unrealistic standards for new mothers, making many feel like they must rapidly return to their pre-pregnancy shape and pace. But what if the real strength lies not in rushing, but in being kind to yourself? This is the powerful lesson shared by Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who experienced a 50-pound pregnancy weight gain and found unexpected motivation in embracing her postpartum body. You can read her inspiring story here: I'm a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant. Being kind to myself made getting fit again much easier.

Emily’s journey is a refreshing reminder that fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum wellness are deeply personal experiences. Rather than chasing an immediate ‘bounce-back,’ she discovered the strength in honoring her body’s process — a mindset that can transform how you approach your own fertility and family-building goals.

Why Self-Kindness Is a Game Changer in Your Fertility Journey

Trying to conceive can be an emotional rollercoaster. Whether you’re working through fertility challenges or planning a natural pregnancy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by pressure — from others and from yourself. But embracing kindness and patience allows you to treat yourself with the grace that’s necessary for this journey.

Think about this: when was the last time you gave yourself permission to be a ‘beginner’ again? To accept the ups and downs without judgment? Like Emily, finding motivation in a fresh start, rather than disappointment in setbacks, can open up new avenues of resilience and hope.

Making the Path to Parenthood More Empowering and Accessible

For many individuals and couples, creating a family comes with unique challenges. That’s why innovations like at-home insemination kits from MakeAMom are so empowering. They offer discreet, cost-effective options designed to fit your lifestyle — whether you're navigating fertility treatments or simply exploring options outside clinical environments.

MakeAMom’s kits, such as CryoBaby for frozen sperm or BabyMaker for those with sensitivities, exemplify how thoughtful solutions respect your comfort and privacy. This approach aligns perfectly with the spirit of self-kindness — giving you control over your fertility experience, empowering you to nurture your dreams on your own terms.

How to Cultivate Patience and Positivity While Trying to Conceive

Feeling anxious or frustrated during this time is normal, but here are some ways to cultivate a nurturing mindset:

• Celebrate small victories: Whether it’s a good mood day or a healthy habit you’ve kept, acknowledge progress, no matter how minor.
• Seek support: Connect with others who understand your journey. Communities, counselors, or trusted friends can offer encouragement.
• Focus on wellness, not just outcomes: Nourish your body and mind with good nutrition, gentle movement, and rest.
• Be curious about your body: Understanding your fertility signs can create connection and empowerment rather than anxiety.

What If You’re Facing Fertility Challenges?

If conception isn’t happening as quickly as hoped, it’s even more critical to practice compassion. Remember, the path to parenthood isn’t linear. You have options, and tools like MakeAMom’s reusable insemination kits can help you explore possibilities in a comfortable, confidential way.

The Power of Reframing Your Story

Emily’s story teaches us a vital lesson: strength doesn’t come from forcing a rapid recovery — it comes from embracing where you are and growing from it. Applying this mindset to your fertility journey can help reduce stress and enhance your overall well-being.

So, ask yourself: How can a little more kindness to yourself today become a catalyst for hope and healing tomorrow? Whether you’re just starting out or further along the path, remember that your journey is uniquely yours — and every step forward, no matter how gentle, is a powerful triumph.

If you’re interested in learning more about gentle, accessible fertility support, explore MakeAMom’s range of at-home insemination kits. It’s an inspiring example of how innovation meets empathy to support your dreams of parenthood.

Your journey is not defined by speed — it’s defined by your courage to keep going. What’s one kind thing you can do for yourself today? Share your thoughts and stories below — let’s inspire each other on this incredible path to family.

What if the secret to postpartum fitness isn’t rushing to ‘bounce back’ — but learning to be kind to yourself first?

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “snap back” to your pre-pregnancy body immediately after childbirth, you’re definitely not alone. That overwhelming societal expectation can leave many new moms feeling defeated before they even start. But recently, personal trainer Emily Ricketts shared her transformative postpartum story in a powerful article on Business Insider that flipped this narrative entirely. Instead of succumbing to pressure, Emily embraced feeling like a beginner again — and that simple mindset shift made her fitness journey easier, more fulfilling, and far less stressful than she expected.

At first glance, gaining over 50 pounds during pregnancy might seem intimidating, especially for someone whose profession revolves around fitness. But Emily’s story is a testament to the power of self-compassion, patience, and redefining success on your own terms. She didn’t rush or push her body too hard — she listened to it. She allowed herself the grace to rebuild strength progressively, celebrating small milestones rather than focusing on an arbitrary finish line.

Why is this so important? Because postpartum recovery is not just physical — it’s deeply emotional and psychological. The pressure to immediately ‘bounce back’ can create feelings of inadequacy and frustration. Instead, adopting a beginner’s mindset, like Emily did, is revolutionary. It invites you to relearn your body’s needs, recognize its incredible work, and build a sustainable foundation for health moving forward.

This mindset doesn’t just apply to fitness. It’s a crucial perspective shift for anyone on their fertility journey. Whether you’re just starting, facing challenges, or exploring options, it’s okay — and even necessary — to be kind to yourself. The path to parenthood is rarely linear, and embracing patience and compassion can be powerful tools to help you persevere.

That’s why innovative solutions, like those offered by MakeAMom, are game-changers. Their thoughtfully designed at-home insemination kits—such as the CryoBaby, Impregnator, and BabyMaker—allow individuals and couples the comfort of pursuing pregnancy in private, at their own pace. Knowing that support exists outside traditional clinical settings gives many people the freedom to navigate fertility on their terms, reducing stress and encouraging self-kindness throughout the process.

Here’s a quick reminder of how powerful embracing patience and self-compassion can be:

• Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Small wins are monumental when rebuilding fitness or working toward conception.
• Listen to Your Body: What felt easy before pregnancy might be challenging now—and that’s okay.
• Redefine Strength: Strength isn’t just physical stamina; it’s emotional resilience too.
• Seek Resources That Empower You: Tools like MakeAMom’s reusable insemination kits put control back in your hands.

If Emily’s journey teaches us anything, it’s this: being kind to yourself isn’t a detour in your path—it’s the path. The pressure to rush often leads to burnout, disappointment, or feeling disconnected from yourself. But embracing your beginner status? That opens the door to genuine growth.

So, if you’re navigating the postpartum period or the emotional rollercoaster of fertility, ask yourself — what if you chose encouragement over expectation? What if you gave yourself permission to grow at your own pace?

It’s a transformative mindset that could change everything.

For those exploring options to conceive comfortably and confidentially, MakeAMom’s at-home insemination kits offer a compassionate, effective resource loved by many, boasting a 67% success rate. They exemplify how modern fertility support is evolving to meet you where you are.

Ready to embrace kindness, patience, and strength on your unique journey? Share your thoughts and stories below — because when we support each other, incredible things happen.

For the original inspiration, check out Emily Ricketts’ full story here: I'm a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant. Being kind to myself made getting fit again much easier.

If you’re pregnant or just had a baby, chances are you’ve felt the pressure to ‘bounce back’ — like, yesterday. But here’s a secret: that pressure? It’s totally overrated, and honestly, it can do more harm than good.

I recently read a heartfelt article by Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds during her pregnancy. Instead of trying to rush back to her pre-pregnancy body, Emily embraced being a beginner all over again — and that shift in mindset made getting fit after baby feel way easier and way kinder. You can read her full story here.

So why is this idea of ‘bouncing back’ so problematic? And how can we rethink postpartum fitness to be more realistic, positive, and supportive of our emotional health? Let’s break it down.

The Myth of the ‘Bounce Back’ — And Why It Sets You Up to Fail

Right after pregnancy, society often pushes this narrative that moms should “bounce back” quickly. Ads, social media, celebrity culture — all show these unrealistic images of instant post-baby bodies. But these messages ignore a simple truth: your body just did something incredible, and it needs time, respect, and kindness.

Trying to rush fitness goals too soon can cause stress, frustration, and even injury. It’s like trying to run a marathon before you’ve finished your warm-up. Emily’s experience as a fitness expert who let go of that pressure is so eye-opening — she found herself enjoying movement more because she wasn’t chasing a timeline or an ideal.

How Being Kind to Yourself Changes Everything

Emily’s motivation came from feeling like a beginner again, and that’s a powerful mindset shift. Rather than focusing on “losing the baby weight” or hitting a number on the scale, she celebrated small wins, learned to listen to her body, and approached fitness as a journey, not a race.

This kind of self-compassion isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential for mental and physical well-being. It helps you:

• Build sustainable habits without burnout
• Reduce anxiety around body image
• Feel empowered by progress, not perfection
• Foster patience with yourself during recovery

What About Fertility and Family Planning? Here’s a Thought

If you’re thinking about starting or growing your family, understanding your body during and after pregnancy is key. Home insemination kits, like those offered by MakeAMom, can empower individuals and couples on their journey to conception, especially when clinical visits aren’t an option or preferred.

MakeAMom’s products, including their CryoBaby, Impregnator, and BabyMaker kits, are designed to accommodate different fertility needs and are reusable and discreet — perfect for those who want control and comfort in their fertility journey without breaking the bank. They report a success rate of around 67%, which is pretty encouraging for at-home options.

Top Tips For Embracing Postpartum Fitness With Kindness

If you’re ready to start moving again after pregnancy, here are a few ideas inspired by Emily’s story and my own research:

• Set small, realistic goals. Think “gentle walks” instead of “run a 5K.”
• Focus on strength and energy, not numbers on a scale.
• Listen to your body’s cues — rest when you need it.
• Celebrate every win, no matter how small.
• Find a supportive community or a knowledgeable coach who gets it.

The Takeaway: You’re Not Alone, And There’s No Rush

Pregnancy and postpartum are transformative times — physically, emotionally, and mentally. If you’re struggling with the pressure to ‘bounce back,’ take a breath and remember Emily’s approach: kindness and patience can make the journey smoother and even joyful.

If family building is also on your mind, tools like MakeAMom’s home insemination kits might offer a comforting and accessible way to move forward on your terms.

What’s your postpartum fitness story? Have you felt the pressure to rush or found your own way to embrace the process? Share your thoughts below — let’s start a conversation about kindness, strength, and real progress.