Stop with the post-baby bounce back stories
They’re just awful and insulting to “real” moms.
Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett is the latest in a long string of celebrities (Heidi, Gisele, Nicole, Rebecca) featured on a magazine cover shortly after giving birth. In this case, the former “girl next door” is splashed on the cover of OK! Magazine 8 weeks after delivering via c-section.
It is hard to believe that a woman who gained 55 pounds and who did not give birth vaginally could be back in a bikini so quickly. As a mother of an 11-month-old son that was delivered via c-section, I speak from personal experience. I was unable to work out for at least 6 weeks (doctor’s orders) and I did not feel able to do so until month 3.Yet, Hefner’s former “girlfriend” is pictured in a string bikini, posing with her babe, 2 months later.
I scrutinized the photos and they appear to be heavily photoshopped. The former reality star’s head and neck don’t seem to match the torso below. Look closely.
What aggravates me about these post-baby bodies that often appear on covers mere weeks, if not days, after delivery is the anxiety they cause in everyday, mortal women. Labor, birthing, the possibility of recovering from a surgical birth and the care of a hungry newborn are overwhelming. The pressure to be bikini ready is an unnecessary and insane preoccupation for a postnatal mom.
We’re bombarded with unrealistic and unattainable images incessantly as it is. To target new mothers, exacerbate insecurities that surely already exist and make women feel guilty for not losing the weight quickly enough is inexcusable. The fact that I’ve blogged about this issue multiple times is disgraceful. I hope this will be the last time.
I doubt it.
i find it interesting that breasts were left as-is, despite her inordinately thin “post-baby” waist! they are clearly selling the impossible. this reminds me of when kelly ripa had her first baby in the same week that i had my son. i will never forget how her weight seemed to just “fall” off, placing her back at work, on national television, in 6 weeks, looking perky, thin, and like nothing had changed. how could i live up to that??!! i was fat, tired, terrified, and dealing with what seemed to be untenable postpartum depression. it felt hopeless.
i’m glad you’re talking about it. it empowers those of us who are actually dealing with reality!
Comment by sarit — February 10, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
I sympathise with your problem. I am also heartily sick of these “celebs” who regain their slim figures so quickly. Part of the problem is that they have other people looking after them with such things are prepared weight loss diets, personal trainers and – as you mentioned – good air brushing on their photos. Don’t be too hard on yourself, just looking after your baby will help to deplete that left over bump. Don’t forget though that exercise is the best way to lose it. If you can’t manage for the first 3 months, then don’t fret, it will still worth after that time. A good article to read is “What Celebs Eat” it’s a fun little article and sheds some light on your subject click here goood luck.
Comment by JayJay — August 7, 2011 @ 5:21 pm
I’ve considered your post and here are my thoughts. After I had my first son, I was 214 lbs. I had started out at 175. I am 5’9″. Within 7 months of giving birth, I was 140 lbs. and a size 6 and very fit. It took eating well, watching portions but never going hungry…hell no. And I cheated here and there, maybe once or twice a week. I hit the gym 2-3 times a week…but when I did, I hit it hard and was there for 1-1.5 hours for good cardio and light weight workouts. I have since had two more children and it’s 20 years later. I am again over 200 lbs and am on track to shed 50 lbs in the next year. I don’t push it as I am realistic, too. I just know I will eventually get there.
Comment by Katelyn: Capsiplex Rep — October 4, 2012 @ 4:17 pm