“You are a warrior, you created a life inside of you, that’s no easy feat.”
Most mums-to-be go into pregnancy relatively accepting of the fact that the extraordinary, surprising and bizarre changes to their burgeoning bodies will likely alter its appearance forever.
Some gladly throw out their bikinis, not minding that parts of their body will be left stretched and saggy as a result of bringing another life into the world.
Some are fortunate, blessed with good genes or luck that hides all the evidence another human grew inside them, while others fight with every ounce of their being to ensure their child’s birth cannot be traced back to their body.
Take Aussie model Nicole Trunfio.
She recently posted this smoking hot picture of herself to social media, clad in lacy lingerie, with the words: “Thanks to BOXING and determination I finally have my mind and body back after pregnancy and #postpartum baby brain (yes it is a thing). Here’s to all the mums out there, it’s hard work! #staystrong #stayfocused #9months #postpartum #pregnancy #nofilter #fitness #health #mind #body #soul”
A photo posted by Nicole Trunfio (@nictrunfio) on Oct 25, 2015 at 12:41pm PDT
As the 29-year-old – who gave birth to her son, Zion, earlier this year – points out, getting her body back was hard work. And, for many time-poor mothers, perhaps an unattainable goal. But, within days of Trunfio’s post, model Robyn Lawley posted a very different post-baby body photo – a more relatable one in which she proudly displays her signs of wear and tear as a badge of honour.
#tigerstripes #loveyourbodynow read about this photo via my FB link in bio and why it means so much to me ???????????? A photo posted by Robyn Lawley (@robynlawley1) on Oct 22, 2015 at 10:50am PDT
In it, the 26-year-old proudly highlighted the stretchmarks that remain visible on her stomach eight months after giving birth to her daughter, Ripley.
“As for my stretch marks I knew they were coming and as they’re fading into white (like all my others) I thought I might capture them. Because they are some bad ass #tigerstripes. And I earned them,” she wrote on Facebook.
“We put an unbelievable amount of ridiculous time consuming pressure on women to care so much about their flaws they forget how truly beautiful they (you) are today.
“F**k them, who cares, be you, be loud, be proud. And put your efforts into skills that rely more on your physical self.
“And to anyone who feels bad about your body especially after a baby, you are a warrior, you created a life inside of you, that’s no easy feat.”
No matter how hard some women work on rebuilding their pre-baby body, a body like Trunfio’s will never be achieved.
Not only do most mums not have the same resources to dedicate to body-sculpting as a professional model, most don’t have the same level of motivation. And for those that do, stretch marks and saggy skin may just be a permanent reality.
A photo posted by Drew Barrymore (@drewbarrymore) on Nov 25, 2014 at 10:21am PST
As Hollywood superstar and mum of two Drew Barrymore recently told People magazine: “Having a hot body is just not my thing. I care a little, I don’t care a lot.”
“I never looked good in a bathing suit, so now I look worse in a bathing suit,” the 40-year-old said.
“I have cellulite. But I would much rather have my kids and look a little worse in a bathing suit!”
People’s priorities are different.
And for most new mums it would take a hell of a lot of caring to find the time between naps and feeds, nappy changes and playdates, and all the other tasks that suddenly become extremely time-consuming while caring for a needy small person, to exercise their way to MILF status.
It’s great to see new mums proudly displaying their post-baby bodies.
But it’s important to remember that, just like pre-baby bodies, they come in all shapes and sizes.
Top Comments
Not really seeing the difference. Both women bounced back and have flat tummies. One happened to be genetically pre-disposed to stretch marks. It's got nothing to do with finding time to exercise, besides which both women have clearly been working out a lot, not just Nicole.