What if the biggest fitness advice you ever got was actually doing the opposite?
Recently, I stumbled on a fascinating article that flipped the script on postpartum fitness. Emily Ricketts, a personal trainer who gained over 50 pounds while pregnant, shares a refreshing take: instead of fighting to ‘bounce back’ right after birth, she found peace and progress by being kind to herself and embracing the feeling of being a beginner again. (You can read her full story here: Business Insider).
If you’re on the journey to motherhood, or even considering alternative paths like at-home insemination, this mindset shift might just be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed.
Why The ‘Bounce Back’ Myth Needs to Go
Society loves a quick comeback story. Magazines, social media, and well-meaning friends often pressure new moms to drop pregnancy pounds at record speed. But Emily’s story reveals the real challenge: pregnancy changes your body in profound ways, and rushing the process can do more harm than good.
Instead of trying to snap back, she leaned into kindness — treating her postpartum body with the respect it deserved. That meant accepting the extra weight, the fatigue, and the vulnerability.
Sound familiar?
If you’re navigating fertility challenges or exploring home insemination options, like the innovative kits from MakeAMom, this message resonates even more. The road to parenthood isn't always straightforward, and patience (with yourself) is key.
Feeling Like a Beginner: The Secret Advantage
Emily’s breakthrough came when she stopped seeing herself as a pro athlete needing to bounce back and started seeing herself as a beginner, learning how to move her new body with love and care.
Here’s what that beginner mindset looks like:
- Small wins count. Holding a plank for 10 seconds? Celebrate it. Choosing to move gently one day? That’s progress.
- Listening to your body. Some days are for rest, others for movement.
- Redefining strength. True strength is emotional resilience, self-compassion, and consistency, not just how fast you lose weight.
This mindset turns postpartum fitness into a soulful journey, rather than a brutal race.
How At-Home Insemination and Self-Care Intersect
For many who choose alternative routes to parenthood — like using at-home insemination kits — the emotional rollercoaster can be intense. It’s not just about physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being. That’s why kindness like Emily’s is essential.
This is where companies like MakeAMom shine. Their discreet, cost-effective kits such as CryoBaby, Impregnator, and BabyMaker are designed not just for ease and success, but also to empower people to take control of their journey in a way that feels safe, private, and supportive.
Imagine pairing that self-empowerment with the gentle, compassionate fitness approach Emily models: you’re nurturing both body and soul.
Quick Tips To Embrace Your Postpartum or Fertility Journey with Kindness
- Ditch the 'bounce back' narrative. Your body is amazing for the journey it’s on — give it the respect it deserves.
- Celebrate every progress. Whether it’s a small workout, a positive mindset shift, or a successful insemination attempt.
- Use tools designed for you. If you’re exploring home insemination, look into reusable, discreet kits that understand your needs.
- Connect with communities like Nestful where openness and support are the norm.
- Practice daily gratitude. Celebrate what your body can do, not just how it looks.
To Wrap It Up
Fitness after pregnancy — or on any path to parenthood — is not about rushing or extremes. It’s about kindness, patience, and embracing the beginner’s journey with open arms. Emily Ricketts’ story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best way forward is to be gentle with yourself.
Curious about safe and empowering options for building your family from home? Check out MakeAMom’s range of at-home insemination kits that align with this compassionate approach.
Now, we want to hear from you: How have you embraced kindness in your postpartum or fertility journey? Drop a comment below and join the conversation!
Because motherhood — and the path to it — is a marathon, not a sprint.