As a new mom, I have to admit it---It gets frustrating seeing all those pics of celeb moms who lose their baby weight (and regain their flat abs) within a couple months after giving birth. Somehow, they even manage to avoid getting stretch marks (like Heidi Klum, pictured here only two months after giving birth to her son, Henry.) I mean, honestly, these women can make the average new mom wonder what she is doing wrong. The truth is that it's unrealistic to expect your body to bounce back that quickly (or to that degree) unless you are lucky (wealthy) enough to have a personal trainer, personal chef, nanny, a personal assistant or two, and possibly a personal plastic surgeon on speed dial. Don't the stars' docs tell them (like mine told me) that they are supposed to wait at least 6 weeks before even beginning an exercise program? Apparently not.
Unfortunately, for those of us who have not been blessed with a supermodel's genetic code, all the exercise and careful dieting in the world will never completely restore the pre-baby body. For us mere mortals, tummy tucks, breast lifts, laser skin tightening, and liposuction may be the only way to reclaim the tight bodies we had before pregnancy.
Of course, we could always try a little self-acceptance...which would be so much easier if we could only learn to avert our eyes from the magazines in the supermarket checkout lane.
Photo © Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
I think it’s a shame that this happens. Women shouldn’t have to feel bad because of this or because some celebrity looks so good. Beauty is on the inside.