That doggone Instagram will have us under the false impression that we should be able to deliver a baby, make a vegan meal, brush our edges and come home from the hospital with six pack abs.
Well, I am here to tell you: it ain’t that easy. As an experienced fitness professional and a mother of three, here are a few factors to consider:
Genetics. My mother came home from the hospital, after delivering each of her 4 children, with six pack abs. Real talk. She is genetically blessed like that. Not to discount the fact that she has been exercising for her entire life, but genetics really do matter. With that being said, I definitely benefit from her DNA. Let’s call it the “genetic lottery.” We all hit with a different number and the prize varies from person to person. Maybe one person gets naturally big boobs. Maybe another person wins with height. I didn’t win in either of those categories, but my abs were unharmed during pregnancy and delivery.
Nutrition. This is a touchy subject, because the definition of healthy eating is constantly evolving. In the past few months, everyone has been frantically switching to a plant based diet. There is a documentary that is scaring people, but it’s a good scare, because the truth is this: adding fruits and vegetables to the average American’s diet is not a bad thing. This trend is raising food awareness and that is a really good thing, because at the end of the day, there is no such thing as TOO MANY plants.
Exercise. Some people love exercise and some people hate exercise. The people who love it obviously have an advantage in this world of Insta-perfection. The woman who uploads a picture of her post-natal six pack abs probably loves to exercise. In fact, she probably exercised throughout her entire pregnancy. She may not have had a cesarean, so she is probably doing crunches in her hospital bed. There are so many factors to consider, but regular exercise definitely makes it much easier to bounce back.
As for brushing edges and making a gourmet meals, I will leave that to the experts cuz my edges are never brushed and I am about to eat oatmeal for dinner.
While I eat my oatmeal, I will be checking out the beautifully prepared gourmet meals on Instagram, but I vow not to covet anyone else’s plate cuz “Comparison is the thief of JOY.”
Claudine Cooper is a Los Angeles based fitness trainer with over 20 years of professional experience. Originally from Minneapolis, this busy wife and mother is committed to sharing her passion for healthy living. You can follow her on Instagram @fitwit3.
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