I’ve had a lot of requests to post about my body after having Harper. I gained about 32 pounds when I was pregnant and about a week and a half postpartum I was 12 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. I haven’t weighed myself since then, but I imagine I’ve lost a few more.
Currently I can fit into all of my pre-pregnancy clothing (last Saturday was the first time I tried on my jeans again), but of course my body isn’t the same as before, when I was working out regularly and hadn’t yet carried an 8 pound, 3 ounce baby inside of me.
I would describe my post-pregnancy body as looking like I haven’t worked out in a year (which is basically the case since I didn’t work out for my entire pregnancy). I’m still thin, but I lack the muscle tone and definition my body had when I was weight training.
I had a few people ask what my “secret” is or what diet I’m following to try to get my pre-pregnancy body back, and the truth is, there isn’t one. I’ve always said that I believe genetics play a large role in your pregnancy/postpartum body and things like whether or not you get stretch marks. I didn’t get any stretch marks and my body seems to have bounced back fairly quickly and I know my mom was the same way. It’s just the luck of the draw.
I’m also breastfeeding and pumping, so that burns a lot of calories and thus I have to eat a lot to make sure I’m making up those calories. I still eat the same way I did before and during pregnancy. I eat every 2-3 hours and if I want pizza or ice cream, I have it—everything is okay in moderation as long as the rest of your diet is balanced.
In terms of my stomach, which is the area most people are curious about post-baby, I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised with how quickly it went down. It started to go down right after giving birth and has gotten flatter since then. It’s not the exact same as before, but honestly, I expected it to be much worse so I’m happy with it. I still have my linea negra which I know takes time to go away, so right now my stomach looks better from the profile view than the front view.
While I’m on leave (and medically cleared) I could probably squeeze in a workout during one of Harper’s naps…but I have no idea how I’ll have the time (or energy) to work out once I go back to work. I want to spend every moment after work with my baby and not at the gym, so I may have to get creative. If you have any tips on how you incorporate fitness into your life as a mom, let me know. I know that weekends I could fit in a class or go for a nice long walk with the stroller, but during the week it seems tough.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with my postpartum body. I feel like women are kind of taught that it’s not okay to say that, but I don’t care. I think the media pushes the message that women can’t be okay with their postpartum bodies until they’re back to exactly the way they were before (see: all of the tabloid covers featuring celebrities who are back down to their regular bodies weeks or months after giving birth), but I’m just going to say that I feel okay with my body right now. I would still love to tone up and get back to pre-pregnancy shape, but realistically, it takes time to build that much muscle mass so I’m just going to take it one step at a time and enjoy my newborn.
How did you feel about your postpartum body? Leave me a comment below!
anoddgirl says
wow your post body bod is amazing!
you lucky girl
if you like to run maybe go on a run with harper in the stroller 🙂
btw i think that is such a lovely name
xx
https://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Sandy a la Mode says
i am not happy with my belly… and the stretch marks.. but i have been working out a lot and the belly has gone down, i just need a solution for the stretch marks haha!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Laura {happily ever} Parker says
Wow you look phenomenal! I can only hope that my body bounces back that quickly one day!
Mandy Brown says
I, like you, was blessed with genetics. My stomach went back fairly quickly and I didn't have any stretch marks. As far as working out went, don't push it! Start with walking Harper in the stroller. Women are so hot to get back in shape and start working out before the dr says it's okay and they usually pay the price with the PP bleeding kicking up again. That's your body's way of saying to take it easy 🙂 Take nice walks with your baby and enjoy this time with her because trust me, the time flies by 🙂
Jill Rickert says
Aww V you look great!
Congrats again on your baby 🙂
Sam says
You look great, it doesn't even look like you had a baby!
Britt @ The Magnolia Pair says
You look great girl! I definitely feel the same way with my post baby body. I've lost all the weight, and lost 8lbs in addition to what I was pre-pregnancy (hello breastfeeding and rocking a baby). Those two alone burn a ton of calories, and so I am afraid to exercise since I don't want to get emaciated. I definitely want to tone up because I'd love to get rid of the 'pouch'
Let me know when you find the time, I need some motivation 🙂
Brooke says
You look awesome and should be proud!
~Lynsey says
Your PP body looks great. What I would do is just take easy walks with your baby (and even your dog) until you get medical clearance from your OB. I did that when I was on leave and it was nice to get out of the house and get fresh air. Right now my free time is limited and I don't exercise like I feel I should as I have a long commute and have prioritized sleep over exercise.
Mrs. E says
My experience is basically the same as yours. My booty is a bit bigger, but I've ALWAYS wanted a bigger back=side, so I'm happy. The only other "issue" I have is a couple of stretch marks around my belly button. Honestly, at 5 weeks PP I can't complain!
jeannie says
You look amazing. Thanks for sharing.
How long of a maternity leave do you get? Hopefully it's a long time to spend as much time with baby as you can.
I would love to see a post on your breastfeeding journey.
[email protected] says
@jeannie- I get 12 weeks of leave. I will definitely be posting about BF.
Catherine G. says
You look amazing! I'm 2.5 years post-partum and don't look like that. Of course, I have a stretched out belly button that could only be fixed with surgery. I do my workouts when the kids are asleep – either I wake up early or do it when they are falling asleep. I try to do really intense and short workouts (some of the TIU workouts, Zuzana Light, Shred, etc) to get the most bang for my buck. I also LOVED taking long walks/jogs when the kids were stroller age. I'm looking forward to family bike rides soon!
LaDawn W says
I can't believe your body looks that good after having a baby! You are lucky! I hope when I have children I will be able to bounce back fairly fast! Congratulations on Harper!
Shadowy Lady says
Hey V, you look great and you should love your post-partum body. It's an accomplishment to give birth and all of us women should be proud of ourselves.
My lil one is almost 10 months old and I work out a lot more than before I was pregnant with her. I put on 22lbs during my pregnancy (and my baby was 8lb 8oz) so most of the weight pretty much came off when she was born. But I also lacked the muscle tone and I didn't like that. I started exercising from 7 weeks post first by doing workout dvd's at home and then doing group fitness classes at the gym. I now do a mix of both and made the choice of squeezing my workout in. I wake up very early to be able to do it all. I'm 2 sizes below my pre-pregnancy weight and couldn't be happier 🙂
handlenhers says
Ummmm…WOW! You look great! Congrats!
JMMarden says
It definitely gets a little crazy working, being a mom and wife, and trying to exercise. What has worked for me has been nightly walks w/ the stroller and short video workouts (Tone it Up or Jillian Michaels 20 min videos). Plus I do squats for the two minutes while I brush my teeth twice a day. It sounds silly but I swear it helps!
Jenn P says
You look awesome!! And, I agree…I feel like we are definitely taught it's not ok to be happy until you look exactly like you did before pregnancy. And, while my body isn't in the most tip top shape right now…I carried 4 kids in 2 twin pregnancies, and I'm pretty happy with the way I look! Room for improvement? Of course, but overall, I'm happy! Yea…I said it! I'm finally able to get back to the gym in the mornings before my husband leaves for work (the girls are 5 months), but when I can't, I like the Jillian Michaels shred. It's 20 minutes, gets my heart rate up and makes me sweat. I can always squeeze in 20 minutes, so there's no excuse. ~Jenn
http://www.twobytwomom.com
Erin K says
I *thought* I could never find the time for years with my kids to exercise when I went back to work. I used to do the workout videos but never looked forward to them. I finally signed up for a barre class and made a commitment to go 4 times a week–– 2 times at night during the weekdays and early on Saturday/Sunday morning. The time my girls get with my husband is good. And I am literally gone 1.5 hours. But what I realized is I am a better mom, wife, employee when I get this in, so I don't look at it as missing my kids, or my kids missing me, but rather a very short time spent away from them to have even better quality time when I am there because I have more energy, have released some stress and am all around happier.
Erin K says
And you look freaking awesome lady!
JenFish says
You look gorgeous as always! Have you tried a mini trampoline? I love mine..and I can watch tv at the same time ; )
Smulvaney05 says
You look fantastic. I had a similar reaction to my first pregnancy, I'm 5'7" and naturally thin, gained 36 pounds, no stretch marks, gave birth to a 9lb. 3 oz. baby girl, back to pre-pregnancy weight by 2 weeks pp. I started doing the 30 day shred sporadically during the first year and finally started working out regularly when my daughter was one. I was in the best shape of my life before I got pregnant with my son. I only gained 20 pounds the second time, exercised until 36 weeks, no stretch marks, 8lb. 15 oz baby boy. I could not work out again until he stopped breastfeeding (15 months) because my milk supply dropped tremendously when I did. I think it's more due to my age now (35) because while I work out 6-7 days a week, my skin is just more stretched out now, my belly is my only issue. It seems to be an elasticity issue.
natasha {schue love} says
You really did get the luck of the draw! And I'm glad you put it that way…being honest helps! I posted a 7 min workout on my blog today…definitely easy enough to do before or after work! xo
Alex Gens says
You look incredible!
XO Alex
Join my Baublebar giveaway at https://www.bronzedsundaze.blogspot.com!
meli1077 says
You look amazing! Like you, I slimmed down quickly. I gained 18lbs during pregnancy and lost and additional 14 after. I was down 32lbs in 3 weeks. I was left with a stretch mark around my belly button though. I am very petite and went 36 weeks without a single stretch mark. My belly stretched beyond it's limits in the last 2 weeks.
It was great to lose all of the weight, but it was very frustrating at the same time. I lost so much weight that nothing fit. My clothes were falling off. I felt frumpy. I purchased some new things and felt much better about myself.
As far as working out, when I was on maternity leave I would try to get to a spin class once or twice a week after my husband came home. It's a lot more challenging now that I am back at work. I've been able to get in a few workouts after the baby is in bed. He's in bed at 7pm every night. Once Harper is on a schedule, you'll find more time to do things.
Lori Capel says
Looking great!! Are you using the Belly Band PP?? If so, do you think that helps?
LC
FitFashLife.blogspot.com
Nicole says
Wow, you look great! I'm honestly wondering where those extra 12lbs are… you've probably lost most if not all of them at this point.
A great way to burn some calories is to wear baby while you walk, instead of pushing her in a stroller. Use a good carrier, like a Becco or Ergo. I still do this, and my daughter is 16 months old and 24lbs!
Also, as Harper gets older it will become easier to find the time… she will settle into a routine and go to bed early, probably by 8pm at the latest.
Nicole says
Oh, and I agree, I do think genetics has a lot to do with it, although I think you deserve a lot of credit yourself. You gained a healthy amount of weight and kept your portions, etc under control. I gained 50+ lbs because I ate way too much and should have exercised more. The first 30 came off within 3 weeks, the last 20 I had to work my butt off for… literally!
Christine Hong says
i am amazed at your postpartum belly!! After three pregnancies I'm still trying to get rid of my pooch! My youngest is 2 and I have your 2 week postpartum belly. I managed to lose all my pregnancy weight, but sadly my belly won't budge no matter what I do!
Jennifer says
You are definitely very lucky, but it was obvious since you didn't gain much during your pregnancy. You were ALL belly! It took me almost a year to get back into my pre-pregnancy pants and that is because I haven't worked out due to breast feeding. I wouldn't be able to eat as much as I would have to with working out and breast feeding. That would be impossible.
Megan says
You look great Veronika. I'm currently nursing my second baby and working. If you nurse and work, it's hard to fit a work out in. During my maternity leave, I would take walks with my baby in the stroller. With working, I get up very early (4 a.m.) to fit it all in (nurse, pump, work out to a video or get on the treadmill) and shower. I'm also tall and didn't gain much weight when I was pregnant and lost most of it pretty quickly and easily. But with both babies, I hang on to 5 lbs right in the tummy area. With my first, I lost it right away as soon as I weaned. Hopefully, that will happen again after this baby weans. I think my body likes to hang on to a little bit while I'm nursing. Also, nursing makes me sooooo hungry.
Melanie says
Your body just snapped right back! I agree that I think genetics play a huge roll in pregnancy and post pregnancy. You look great!
RowJen says
You look great! Thanks for the very refreshing post and not being embarrased to admit that you have no idea how you lost the weight so quickly and that you are happy with how you look.
I had a simlar experience to you. Gained 30 pounds during my pregnancy, had lost all of the weight within the first month after delivery and ultimately ended up 5 pounds less than pre-pregnancy. Somehow, inexplicably – my hips are also narrower than before and my feet are narrower as well. I was embarrased to admit to people that I LOVE my post-pregnancy body because I have encountered women that will make you feel bad about losing the weight quickly and seemingly easily.
The advice one of my friends gave me was to just eat like you always have after baby (with the addtional calories for breast feeding, of course) and your body will get back to it's steady state. It worked for me – but maybe it was just luck.
As for working out, my son turns 2 next month and I am still trying to find ways to work out more. What seems to work for me now is either after he goes to bed or at lunch. I am fortunate to have a gym in my office building. I was always averse to working out at lunchtime before, but when that's the only time you have – you find a a way to make it work! I also continuously search the internet for new workouts that are streamlined and get the most bang for the time.
Best of luck! Your baby girl is so adorable and you look great! Take care!
pearlsandpixels.com says
Wow, you are tiny! Lucky you. My body bounced back pretty quickly due to breastfeeding. I also used the Belly Bandit and it really helped my stomach flatten out.
projectlongview says
You look great! I admire how you're not hung up on being 'thin' or 'skinny' and just letting your body recover from giving birth.
Caroline says
You look phenomenal, girl! 🙂
A.Co says
You. Look. AMAZING.
The same!
WHAT!
WOW. Seriously! Were you ever pregnant!? 😉
But seriously, again, you look TERRIFIC.
April Lynn says
Looking great! Videos! Seriously. I didn't want my girl in a gym nursery so I took up workout videos. Amazon is a great starting point to research them 🙂
April Lynn says
Oh and I would do the, after she went to bed.
FunkyCrew says
woah!! I wish I looked like this, baby or no baby 🙂 atta girl – looking fantastic 🙂
Shelly says
You look absolutely amazing!! I love that you took a pic within 24 hours of having Harper. I think that is the worst time. The "I really don't look like I just HAD my baby" body…when stuff is all squishy and puffy and soft. Ugh. I have had three little boys and, although back to my pre-pregnancy weight, my tummy still sticks out a little. I have a short torso though, so I think that's just my genetics. It bugs me because I was a gymnast all through college and still consider myself to be athletic. I now have to dress around my tummy, if that makes sense. Nothing tight around the middle!
I had a tough time working out post-babies. I finally got into a routine where I workout with a friend twice a week at 8pm. 8pm is a crazy time to workout, but it's the only time that fits into our schedules. Mornings are too hectic, she works a full time job, and then we both are busy with the kids until bedtime. It has worked really well for us and it also gives us some time to chat and catch up on each others lives. For the first time since having kids, I actually look forward to working out since I have a friend with me!
Good luck finding a schedule that works for you. Don't be surprised if it takes a while to find a routine….that first year is really demanding!
Shelly
Meg O. says
Seriously, it looks like you didn't even have a baby!! That's amazing!!
Just last week I returned to my pre-pregnancy weight. That was 18 months of working my butt off. I seriously cried because I thought that day would never come for me. And the best part is I am in better shape than I was before I got pregnant! My arms are definitely more toned (carrying a 25 lb toddler will do that) and my legs are cut because I took up running. My stomach looks about the same as it did before I got pregnant. But getting there was so tough. I exclusively breastfed for 13.5 months, ate clean (didn't restrict calories too badly so I could nurse), exercised, everything. I was not the nursing mother who lost a bunch of weight, I was the opposite. My body held onto fat for maternal stores (my doctor even said this when I was frustrated at a postpartum appointment). And some months I would only lose one pound. It seriously took a toll on me because everywhere I turned it was as if all of the new moms I saw were just melting that baby fat off with little to no effort. In hindsight, I think I worried too much about it, but I'm glad I'm healthier now than I was before.
I guess that just means you were meant to have babies since you can bounce back so quick! And seriously, you were blessed with some great genes. You look incredible and I think it's great that you are honest about it.
As far as workouts go, I started doing a lot at home. My husband started working out at home, as well, doing P90X and Insanity. During the school year, I would run or work out at night after Kennedy went to bed (I'm more of a night owl), or in the afternoons I would put on some YouTube workouts on my iPad while she played around me. It was fun because she could crawl on me if I did ab stuff. I highly recommend Tiffany Rothe workouts or any of the HIIT Cardio workouts from FitnessBlender on YouTube. Great workouts! Now that I'm on summer break I take her to the gym with me and she plays in the kid area, which she loves.
Gosh, sorry this comment was so super long!!
Vee says
You look wonderful! I'm almost 2 months PP and my body is not what it used to be but I have to be honest and say I always had junk in the trunk (and under the hood lol) before anyway. I have the dark line and stretch marks that really became visible after my belly went down and I have some saggy skin that I don't think can be taken care of without surgery but I'm not going to worry about it. I agree, women are made to feel like their bodies should bounce back and be better than ever! I wouldn't take back any stretch marks or saggy skin because I got this way by carrying and birthing a beautiful little girl. I'm fortunate in that I work at a school so we're out for the summer but it's going to be hard going back. Enjoy everything and take it all in! They grow so fast. I'm already missing and thinking back about when my little one was just born and how big she is now compared to then, she's only 7 weeks old!
Rach Parcell says
You look so amazing!! Hope you are getting some sleep! Such an inspiration!
Schnelle says
Okay, so first of all- you look A-freaking-mazing! I agree, I think genetics has a lot to do with it. I am so surprised with my body and how happy and comfortable with it am at this point. I need to tone things up but I'm in no rush nor do I have the time! I'm having enough trouble juggling housework, work, and the baby as it is. All in due time…
[email protected] says
@Schnelle— YOU look amazing! You gave me hope when I saw your pics when I was still pregnant. But yeah, it really is all genetics—and I agree that the priority now is just family and getting into a routine. I'm not worried about looking exactly how I did before yet. All in due time like you said 🙂
Alex {Bump to Baby} says
You look great!
Alex
Bump to Baby
Suzy Camper says
Umm… Wow. You look AMAZING. Seriously. I think everyone just hopes to be as lucky as you were! Working out is certainly great for your health, and that's something everyone should be concerned about, but you certainly don't need to be working out for the sake of your figure! Congratulations!
Luba Lovely says
You are blessed with amazing genes!! I lost weight pretty quickly too, however to get toned and muscle, I definitely needed to work out. Honestly I don't really care too much how much the scale says. After baby, body changes regardless. You will fall into your own workout schedule that works for you. I know videos worked for me in the beginning days.
natalieinnorway says
Look for a local Stroller Strides group! https://fit4mom.com/ It's a good workout, it's a great opportunity to meet other moms, and best of all – you're with your baby! Congratulations. Don't beat yourself up over the breastfeeding! You're doing great. 🙂