fitness

What if the pressure to 'bounce back' after pregnancy is actually holding you back? It’s a feeling many new parents know all too well. Social media, popular culture, even well-meaning friends and family can make postpartum recovery feel like a race against the clock. But what if slowing down and being kind to yourself is the real game-changer?

Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds during pregnancy, shared her deeply refreshing perspective in a recent article on Business Insider. Rather than rushing back to her pre-pregnancy fitness level, Emily embraced the experience of feeling like a beginner again. That mindset shift brought her motivation, joy, and a sustainable way to regain her strength.

Why Is the 'Bounce Back' Culture So Harmful?

The expectation to quickly shed pregnancy weight and snap back to an “ideal” body does more harm than good. It can lead to frustration, burnout, and even feelings of failure. But pregnancy is not just about physical changes — it’s also an emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation. Shouldn’t recovery honor all of these dimensions?

Emily’s story challenges us to rethink what success looks like during this chapter. Instead of chasing instant results, she focused on:

• Patience with her body’s natural pace
• Listening deeply to what her body needed
• Celebrating small victories rather than demanding perfection

Doesn’t that sound a lot more compassionate and achievable?

Starting Fresh: The Power of Being a Beginner

It’s tempting to view postpartum struggles as setbacks. But what if these moments are actually fresh beginnings? Emily found that seeing herself as a beginner — relearning movement and strength — gave her motivation and a sense of control. This approach reflects a broader truth for anyone embarking on a pregnancy journey or recovery: progress isn’t linear, and every step matters.

If you’re on a path to parenthood or recently became a parent, how are you honoring your journey? Are you celebrating the process or just the outcome?

At-Home Conception and Wellness: Finding Control in Your Hands

For those who are preparing to embark on or continuing a fertility journey, taking control can sometimes feel elusive. That’s where innovative, at-home options come in. Companies like MakeAMom offer insemination kits designed to empower individuals and couples to take charge of their conception process in the comfort and privacy of home.

MakeAMom’s range — including the CryoBaby kit for frozen sperm, the Impregnator for low motility sperm, and BabyMaker for sensitive users — can make the path feel more approachable and personalized. Clients report an impressive average success rate of 67%, offering hope and confidence in a process often clouded in uncertainty.

Imagine blending the patience and kindness Emily championed in postpartum recovery with the empowerment of at-home conception tools — it’s a beautiful recipe for self-trust and resilience.

How to Be Kind to Yourself During Your Journey

Whether you’re recovering from pregnancy or trying to conceive, these principles can transform your experience:

• Listen to your body’s signals without judgment.
• Set realistic, compassionate goals.
• Celebrate every small step forward.
• Embrace the beginner’s mindset — growth comes from learning.
• Seek support from communities who uplift and understand your unique path.

Remember, your journey is yours — and it deserves patience, kindness, and celebration.

Ready to Rewrite Your Story?

Emily’s story reminds us that true strength is born from compassion for ourselves, especially when life feels uncertain or challenging. It’s about progress, not perfection. And if you’re navigating the exciting, sometimes complicated terrain of at-home conception, tools that support you on your terms can be transformational.

So, what will your kind, courageous step be today? Will you let go of the pressure to 'bounce back' and instead embrace the journey of becoming — in fitness, parenthood, and beyond?

We'd love to hear your thoughts and stories. Share your journey below and inspire others to be kinder to themselves.

Read the full inspiring article by Emily Ricketts here.

Let's get real: pregnancy changes everything — and not just your body. When Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer, shared her story about gaining over 50 pounds while pregnant, she broke a stereotype that haunts so many of us — that of the 'bounce-back' myth. Instead of rushing to shed the weight, Emily embraced being a beginner again, showing us all how kindness to ourselves post-pregnancy makes fitness and healing so much easier.

If you've ever felt pressured to

Have you ever noticed how a little motivation can completely transform your journey—whether it’s fitness or fertility? I recently stumbled upon something that not only changed my workouts but also gave me a surprising boost in my at-home fertility journey. Curious? Let me walk you through it.

Last week, I read the article If Fitness Is Your Thing, These SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Are Now at Their Best Price Ever, and it immediately caught my attention. These bone conduction headphones are the hottest trend in gyms everywhere right now. At first, I thought, “Cool tech, but what does this have to do with my fertility journey?”

As someone navigating the challenging and often emotional path of at-home insemination, staying physically and mentally active is a major part of my well-being. Fitness isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling energized and connected to my body. Trying the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 made me realize just how important it is to feel good during this process.

Why does this matter for your fertility journey? Because stress, emotional health, and physical wellness are deeply intertwined. When you’re managing the ups and downs of trying to conceive at home, small boosts in motivation can ripple into big changes. Here’s how these headphones became an unexpected fertility wellness tool for me:

• Freedom to move: The bone conduction tech keeps my ears open, so I stay aware of my surroundings—a subtle but empowering way to feel safe and present while exercising.
• Motivation on demand: With crisp sound and no bulkiness, my walks and workouts suddenly felt more inspiring. I could focus on myself without distractions.
• Mental clarity: Time to myself with energizing playlists or calming podcasts helped me reduce anxiety, a common companion on the fertility path.

But the story doesn’t end there. This little fitness discovery led me to think about the broader tools and supports that make at-home conception more accessible and less intimidating. That’s where organizations like MakeAMom come in. They offer at-home insemination kits designed to empower people with various fertility needs—from handling low motility sperm to sensitivity issues—right in the comfort and privacy of home.

What struck me most was how MakeAMom’s reusable kits are not just cost-effective but also thoughtfully designed to support people through their unique journeys without the healthcare system’s usual pressure. Just like how the SHOKZ headphones gave me a way to reclaim my fitness routine, MakeAMom provides tools that help reclaim control over one’s fertility experience.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the options or intimidated by clinical environments, know that solutions exist for you. Combining gentle fitness routines to reduce stress and innovative home insemination tools can be a game-changer. And it all starts with small, intentional steps—like getting the right gear to motivate your wellness or choosing a supportive, non-clinical insemination system that respects your privacy and needs.

Wondering what you can do next? Here are a few tips I've found helpful:

• Find a fitness companion—tech or a friend—to keep you motivated and engaged.
• Consider stress-reducing activities like walking, yoga, or meditation.
• Research and connect with at-home insemination options that fit your lifestyle and comfort level.
• Don’t hesitate to explore resources and real stories from companies focused on your journey, like MakeAMom.

Every journey to parenthood looks different, and sometimes it’s the unexpected discoveries—like a pair of headphones—that spark a fresh outlook. So, what’s your surprising motivation? How do you stay connected to your wellness while pursuing your dreams of parenthood? Share your story with us below—we’d love to hear from you.

And while you consider that, why not check out the full article on the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 and explore more about at-home insemination resources at MakeAMom? Your journey, your pace, and your way.

Have you ever felt pressured to ‘bounce back’ immediately after pregnancy? If you nodded yes, you’re definitely not alone. The societal expectations on new moms can be overwhelming, pushing many to chase unrealistic goals instead of honoring their own pace—and their own bodies. But what if the real key to postpartum strength, wellness, and happiness isn’t rushing to “get back” to who you were—but embracing the new beginning instead?

Recently, Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds during her pregnancy, shared a profound insight in her candid 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 pressure of a rapid transformation, Emily chose compassion for herself and embraced the reality of starting fresh. This mindset shift didn’t just ease her physical journey—it ignited her motivation.

Why is being kind to yourself postpartum so transformational?

• It rewires your motivation: When you stop fighting your body and start honoring where you are, exercise shifts from a chore into a celebration of what your body can do.
• It reduces stress and anxiety: The mental load of “bouncing back” can be paralyzing. Kindness replaces that with space to heal and grow.
• It creates sustainable habits: Starting from a place of acceptance builds realistic goals that last, unlike crash diets or unrealistic fitness regimes.

Now, let’s zoom out for a moment. For many, pregnancy isn’t just about the nine months of carrying a child—it’s part of an even larger journey toward parenthood that can feel daunting and complex. Whether you’re navigating conception challenges or embracing alternative paths like at-home insemination, kindness and empowerment go hand-in-hand.

Here’s where innovative solutions can offer not just practical help but also the confidence and control you deserve. Organizations like MakeAMom have revolutionized the experience for individuals and couples trying to conceive at home. They offer thoughtfully designed insemination kits such as CryoBaby (for low volume or frozen sperm), Impregnator (for low motility sperm), and BabyMaker (for sensitive conditions like vaginismus). What’s more, these kits are reusable, cost-effective, and shipped discreetly, supporting your journey in a private and empowering way.

Why does this matter in the postpartum mindset? Because every parent’s journey is unique, and feeling in control—from conception to birth and beyond—can supercharge your emotional well-being.

But back to fitness. If you’ve recently welcomed a new life, or you’re on the path to parenthood in any form, here are some gentle ways to cultivate kindness and strength:

• Celebrate small wins: Every tiny step forward is progress.
• Listen to your body: Rest when you need to, move when you feel ready.
• Surround yourself with support: Whether through peer groups or trusted resources, connection is key.
• Reframe your story: Instead of “bouncing back,” think “growing forward.”

As Emily’s story shows, being a beginner again doesn’t mean you’ve lost something—it means you’re opening a new chapter. Whether it’s your first steps back into fitness or your first attempts at conception, embracing the beginner mindset is an act of courage and love.

So, what’s your next step? How can you be kinder to yourself today? And how might that kindness unlock a whole new level of strength—in body, mind, and spirit?

We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Share your story with us, connect with others walking similar paths, and discover resources that celebrate the whole you—because your journey, every twist and turn, truly matters.