Ever felt the pressure to ‘bounce back’ after pregnancy? You’re definitely not alone.

In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and instant transformations, the postpartum period often comes with an unspoken expectation: get your pre-pregnancy body back — fast. But what if that pressure is actually doing more harm than good?

Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer and new mom, recently shared her eye-opening experience in a Business Insider article. Instead of rushing to ‘bounce back’ after gaining over 50 pounds during pregnancy, she embraced the mindset of starting fresh, treating herself with kindness, and accepting the postpartum phase as a unique journey rather than a problem to fix. This shift transformed not only her approach to fitness but her mental and emotional wellness too.

Why Are We So Obsessed with ‘Bouncing Back’?

From social media to magazines, the messaging is clear: pregnancy weight gain is a temporary setback, and getting ‘your body back’ is the ultimate goal. But this narrative ignores the immense physical and emotional changes your body undergoes during pregnancy and postpartum — not to mention the unique circumstances each individual faces.

• Physical Recovery Takes Time: Your body is healing, hormones are fluctuating, and energy levels can be unpredictable.
• Mental Health Matters: Postpartum depression and anxiety are real and require care and attention.
• Every Journey is Different: What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s okay.

Emily’s story highlights the power of shifting focus away from how fast you can drop pounds, to how kind you can be to yourself while rebuilding strength and stamina.

What Can You Learn From This Approach?

Adopting a compassionate mindset postpartum can feel revolutionary. Here’s why it works:

• Embracing Beginner Status: Seeing yourself as a beginner at fitness after pregnancy removes performance pressure and celebrates small wins.
• Sustainable Fitness: Gradual strength-building is more effective and less stressful than crash diets or extreme workouts.
• Positive Self-Talk: Being your own cheerleader reinforces motivation and resilience.

How This Ties Into Fertility and Family Planning

Whether you’re currently pregnant, trying to conceive, or navigating sensitive health conditions related to fertility, this mindset shift is invaluable. The journey to parenthood, including conception and postpartum, is often complex and deeply personal.

For individuals or couples exploring at-home insemination, for example, comfort and emotional wellness play crucial roles in success. Companies like MakeAMom recognize this by offering insemination kits designed to be gentle, reusable, and tailored to diverse needs — such as sensitivities or specific sperm conditions. Just like Emily’s emphasis on self-kindness, choosing solutions that respect individual experiences can make all the difference.

Tips to Cultivate Self-Kindness Postpartum and Beyond

• Set Realistic Goals: Focus on feeling stronger, not just looking a certain way.
• Listen to Your Body: Rest when needed and celebrate progress, however small.
• Build a Support System: Connect with professionals, friends, or communities that uplift you.
• Celebrate Non-Scale Victories: Improved sleep, mood, or energy count as wins!

Final Thoughts

The idea of ‘bouncing back’ postpartum is outdated and potentially harmful. Instead, consider this stage a powerful new beginning — a chance to rediscover your strength with patience and kindness. Whether it’s regaining fitness or embarking on your fertility journey, honoring your unique path can lead to lasting wellness and joy.

What are your thoughts on the pressure to ‘bounce back’ after pregnancy? Have you found embracing self-compassion helpful? Share your story below and let’s support each other on this incredible journey!

Have you ever felt the pressure to 'bounce back' immediately after pregnancy? You're definitely not alone. Recently, fitness expert Emily Ricketts shared a powerful personal story in Business Insider about gaining over 50 pounds during pregnancy—and how showing herself kindness made all the difference in getting fit again.

Emily’s story defies the common narrative many new mothers face: the relentless, unrealistic push to shed pregnancy weight as quickly as possible. Instead of rushing, she embraced her postpartum body as a beginner again—something that turned her fitness experience from frustrating to empowering.

Why Does Society Push the

Ever felt the pressure to 'bounce back' immediately after pregnancy? You're not alone.

In today’s fast-paced world, new moms often face an overwhelming expectation to snap right back into their pre-pregnancy shape. But what if I told you that the secret to thriving postpartum isn’t about rushing or harsh discipline — it’s about being kind to yourself?

Recently, a personal trainer named Emily Ricketts shared her inspiring story in a Business Insider article about gaining over 50 pounds during pregnancy. Instead of succumbing to societal pressure to immediately “bounce back,” Emily found motivation in embracing the vulnerability of starting over and treating herself with compassion. This mindset transformed her fitness journey into something joyful and sustainable, rather than stressful or punishing.

Why Does Kindness Matter So Much?

After pregnancy, your body has been through one of life’s most intense experiences — growing and nurturing a new life. Rather than rushing to “fix” your body, acknowledging this incredible feat and giving yourself grace can create a healthier mental and emotional foundation for your recovery.

Consider this: What if your postpartum fitness wasn’t about hitting arbitrary scales or deadlines but about reclaiming strength and confidence on your own terms? This approach nurtures motivation rather than fear, and it encourages consistency over quick fixes.

The Beginner’s Mindset: A Path to Empowerment

Emily’s insight about feeling like a “beginner again” during postpartum is powerful. When we shed the pressure of expectations, we open ourselves to learning, growing, and celebrating small victories. Whether you’re easing into gentle stretching, exploring pelvic floor exercises, or simply listening to your body’s cues, embracing this fresh start builds resilience and joy.

How to Support Your Postpartum Journey with Thoughtful Tools

Not all postpartum journeys look the same. Some women face unique challenges, including sensitivities or conditions like vaginismus, which can make intimate health and conception feel daunting. That’s where comfort-first solutions become invaluable.

Companies like MakeAMom are innovating in this space by offering at-home insemination kits designed with sensitivity and ease in mind. Their BabyMaker kit, for example, caters specifically to users with sensitivities, providing a gentle and empowering option for those seeking to conceive. These products emphasize comfort and control — two factors that significantly improve both physical and emotional well-being during such a vulnerable time.

Taking Care of Your Mental & Emotional Wellness

Your mindset is as crucial as your physical health. Here are some ways to cultivate kindness towards yourself:

• Celebrate small wins. Did you manage a short walk or a moment of mindful breathing today? That’s progress!
• Practice mindfulness. Journaling, meditation, or even simple deep breaths help anchor you.
• Seek community. Connecting with others who understand your experience can provide invaluable emotional support.
• Be patient. Remember that healing and strength-building are processes, not races.

What Can You Do Today?

Start by giving yourself permission to slow down. Ditch the harsh “bounce back” narrative and try viewing postpartum fitness as a journey of rediscovery — about your strength, your body, and your resilience.

Want to learn more about approaches that honor your body and your journey? Explore MakeAMom’s thoughtfully designed insemination kits, especially if comfort and sensitivity are top priorities for you.

In Conclusion

Being kind to yourself postpartum isn’t just a feel-good idea — it’s a transformative mindset that can make your fitness and motherhood journey more fulfilling and sustainable. As Emily Ricketts beautifully shows us, feeling like a beginner again isn’t a setback; it’s a powerful new beginning.

What’s one way you’ve embraced kindness toward yourself recently? Share your story below — you might just inspire someone else to take that first gentle step on their own journey.

Remember: True strength comes from compassion, patience, and celebrating every part of your unique path.

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

Ever felt the pressure to 'bounce back' after pregnancy, only to be left feeling overwhelmed and defeated? You're not alone. In a recent revealing article on Business Insider, Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer, opened up about gaining over 50 pounds during her pregnancy. But the real twist? Instead of obsessing over a quick postpartum transformation, she embraced being a beginner again—and it made all the difference.

This story hits home for so many of us because it flips the script on society's relentless 'bounce back' culture, shining a light on the power of self-compassion during one of life's most transformative journeys.

Why Self-Kindness Matters More Than Speedy Results

Let's be honest: pregnancy changes your body in profound ways. From weight gain to hormonal fluctuations, it’s a journey that demands patience and care. Yet, the message from media and sometimes even from ourselves pushes us to “snap back” fast.

Emily’s experience teaches us a crucial lesson: being kind to yourself post-pregnancy is not only healthier but also more sustainable for lasting fitness and wellness. Instead of sprinting to an end goal, she found joy and motivation in feeling like a beginner—relearning her strength at her own pace.

This approach sparks something remarkable: it transforms fitness from a chore into an empowering journey of rediscovery.

Feeling Like a Beginner Again: A Gift, Not a Setback

When you think about it, starting over can be one of the most inspiring parts of any journey. Emily’s perspective invites us to celebrate every small victory - from taking the first walk post-birth to slowly adding strength training as energy returns.

• No rush, just progress: Embrace each step.
• Celebrate your body’s resilience: It carried and birthed life!
• Focus on wellness, not just weight: Mental and emotional health matter too.

How This Mindset Empowers Your Fertility and Beyond

For those continuing their fertility journey or navigating sensitive conditions, this message of kindness extends far beyond postpartum fitness. Whether you’re embracing at-home insemination or coping with physical sensitivities like vaginismus, patience and gentleness with yourself are vital.

This is where brands like MakeAMom quietly but powerfully step in. They offer innovative, reusable insemination kits designed specifically for people with unique fertility needs—like low motility sperm or sensitivity issues—supporting your journey in the comfort of your home. Their discreet packaging and thoughtful designs reflect a deep understanding of the emotional and physical complexities involved.

By choosing options that align with your pace and comfort, you honor your body's natural rhythm and your emotional well-being. It’s about empowerment, not pressure.

Tips for Cultivating Self-Kindness and Sustainable Fitness Post-Pregnancy

1. Set realistic goals: Focus on what feels achievable and nourishing, not what others expect.
2. Seek community: Connect with others who understand your journey, whether online or in person.
3. Listen to your body: Rest when needed, push gently when ready.
4. Celebrate your progress: Every milestone, no matter how small, deserves recognition.
5. Explore supportive fertility tools: Consider resources like MakeAMom’s kits that put control and comfort in your hands.

The Bigger Picture: Redefining Success in Your Own Terms

Emily Ricketts’s story isn’t just about fitness; it's a powerful call to redefine what success means after pregnancy and on any path toward parenthood. It’s about honoring the process, embracing new beginnings, and celebrating resilience.

In a world obsessed with quick fixes, choosing kindness and patience is radical—and transformative.

So, what if instead of chasing an impossible timeline, you allowed yourself the grace to grow stronger, step by step, on your own terms? What might that journey look like for you?

We'd love to hear your thoughts. How have you embraced kindness in your postpartum or fertility journey? Share your story and let's inspire each other to redefine strength and success together.

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For more about empowering fertility tools designed with sensitivity and comfort in mind, explore the innovative home insemination kits offered by MakeAMom.

Read the inspiring original article here: I'm a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant. Being kind to myself made getting fit again much easier.

Ever felt the crushing pressure to ‘bounce back’ after pregnancy? You're definitely not alone. For decades, society has pushed this idea that new moms should quickly shed pregnancy weight and jump back into their pre-baby routines. But what if that whole mindset is actually doing more harm than good? That’s exactly what Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds during pregnancy, discovered on her postpartum journey — and her story might just change how you think about motherhood and fitness forever.

I stumbled upon Emily’s story in this eye-opening article on Business Insider and couldn’t help but relate. Emily’s perspective is revolutionary because instead of rushing to shed the baby weight, she embraced the feeling of being a beginner all over again. She shifted her focus away from “bouncing back” to cultivating kindness and patience towards herself.

Why Is the ‘Bounce Back’ Mentality So Harmful?

Let’s be real: pregnancy changes your body in ways no one can predict. Weight fluctuations, hormonal shifts, and physical challenges like diastasis recti or pelvic pain—all normal but often overlooked. When new moms absorb societal messages to “bounce back” fast, it creates this impossible standard that breeds frustration, guilt, and anxiety.

Emily’s experience shows us something valuable: When we swap harsh self-judgment for compassion, the path to health becomes less of a battle and more of a healing journey. It’s less about rapid weight loss and more about honoring your body’s incredible work.

Feeling Like a Beginner Again Isn’t a Setback — It’s a Gift

Imagine viewing postpartum fitness not as a race, but as starting fresh—like when you first learned to ride a bike. This mindset opens the door to:

• Patience: You allow your body the time it needs to recover.
• Joy: You reconnect with movement in a way that feels empowering, not punishing.
• Sustainability: Habits rooted in kindness are easier to keep long-term.

Emily found that this shift made exercise feel exciting again, not scary or overwhelming. You don’t have to chase your old self – instead, you get to meet the new you with curiosity and respect.

How Does This Connect to Fertility and Beyond?

Whether you’re currently trying to conceive, navigating pregnancy, or embarking on your postpartum journey, mindset matters. Feeling comfortable and supported in your fertility and conception journey is just as important as physical health.

For those with sensitivities or specific conditions, tools that support gentle, at-home fertility treatments can enhance this feeling of comfort. Take, for example, MakeAMom’s insemination kits, which are thoughtfully designed for people needing low-volume or low motility sperm assistance, or for those with conditions like vaginismus. Their reusable kits offer a discreet, cost-effective way to assist pregnancy without the stress of clinical settings—removing barriers and giving more control and ease to your journey.

Practical Tips for Being Kind to Yourself Postpartum (or Anytime)

Feeling inspired by Emily’s story? Here are some ways you can cultivate that beginner’s kindness:

• Set small, achievable goals: Forget drastic changes. Celebrate every little win.
• Move for joy: Find activities that make you smile, whether it’s walking, yoga, or dancing in your kitchen at 2 a.m.
• Rest and recovery: Listen to your body. Rest is as crucial as exercise.
• Seek support: Talk to friends, professionals, or communities who get where you’re coming from.
• Be mindful of media: Unfollow accounts that make you feel pressured, follow those that empower you.

Final Thoughts: What If Healing Comes First?

Emily’s honest confession—that she found strength in starting over rather than rushing back—feels like a wake-up call. What if we stopped treating postpartum fitness as an obligation and started treating it as a compassionate reunion with our bodies?

Your journey is uniquely yours, shaped by your body, your experiences, and your needs. Whether your fertility path involves innovative at-home options like those from MakeAMom or simply embracing your body’s natural rhythms, remember that kindness isn’t a detour—it’s the destination.

So, I’m curious: What’s one way you can be kinder to yourself today? Share your thoughts below, and let’s support each other in redefining what strength really means.

For more on personalized, comfortable fertility options that respect sensitivity and unique needs, you might find this resource on MakeAMom’s website helpful—a gentle step toward making parenthood your own way.