Postpartum Fitness Series - Love Your Body

It's been a while, but here's the final part of a four-part series on getting fit after pregnancy. If you missed the first three they were:

• Setting a goal
• Getting started
• Eating

This part is about loving your post-baby body. Having kids changes your body, and although you may be able to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight, everything is not in the same place it once was. You now have stretch marks or other scars. And that's OK. You earned every mark and those squishy spots and love handles, too.

Be confident

That's a lot of stretching going on!

What I hope you take from this series is not to focus on losing weight and trying to attain some ideal body image based on what you looked like before having kids. Rather, focus on being healthy, being an example for your kids and feeling good about yourself.

Having kids is rough, and it's easy to feel like you're constantly doing things wrong, and then you look in the mirror and all you see is that 20 pounds you're still carrying around even though it's been 2 years since your last child was born. Just remember that you're awesome. You're raising your kids, taking care of your family, going to work, maybe taking care of your parents as well. It's a tough job, but you're doing it. 

Take time for yourself
You devote so much to your kids and family, but don't forget about yourself. Managing your health and well being helps you take care of your family as well. Having confidence in yourself sets a great example for your kids.

So if you want to lose those last few pounds, go for it! If you just want to eat better, do it! Want to tone up the looseness that's still around? Let's do it! I've got a Facebook support group starting up June 23 for moms who want motivation, support and recipes. Get started, commiserate with other moms in a comfortable environment. Comment here or email me at prcfreelancing@gmail.com to join.