Pictures of pregnant mothers after they have ‘bounced back’ are all over social media these days. I feel like this can be misleading, especially as a first-time mother. Let’s be real, you’re not going ‘back’ you’re going through a transformation. Your body is an incredible vessel that co-created a human, grew it inside your womb and gave birth! Mamma, you are a creator. You are a Goddess.

I know at times motherhood can feel exhausting. Remember even a Goddess has her blue days. Sometimes as mothers we can fall into the trap of providing a full water bottle and a healthy balanced meal for our children and walk out the door with nothing more than a coffee in our own body. To be functioning as the best version of yourself it is essential that you extend that motherly level of kindness, love and care to yourself as well as your family. Here are 7 tips to help you love your body as you take this journey into motherhood….

Be grateful for your body and the miracle it has performed

Firstly the fact you got pregnant in the first place is lucky. The odds of a sperm meeting an egg and fertilising it is 1 in 250,000,000! You and your partner created a one of a kind human being that will bring their own perspective and skillset to this world. For approximately 9 months your baby grows inside you. You develop a deep and intimate bond with another human, who you have never even spoken to or laid eyes on. You knew them before you even held them in your arms and your incredible body was the vessel that brought them into this world. No matter what that journey looked like for you it was yours and it is worthy of being grateful for. Be grateful for this transformation and all the lessons that it brings. Lessons that your soul needs. You got this Mamma.

Positive self talk

Your self talk matters! The average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Your thoughts impact your feelings, your attitude, and your behaviour. The manner in which your life unfolds is a reflection of your thoughts. Confucius once said, “The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not, are both correct”. So then how do we shift our inner dialogue to one of self-love? Techniques such as breathwork, meditation, yoga, and positive affirmations help promote a calm and clear mind, as well as encourage gratitude for the good that’s in your life. When practised consistently over time we begin to rewire our brain and positive self-talk becomes habitual.

Move your body

Get those endorphins flowing by moving your body. I know it can be hard to find motivation when you’re feeling tired. I feel you. But regular exercise improves your mood, increases energy levels, and helps improve the quality of your sleep, not to mention you are sculpting that beautiful body of yours! It doesn’t have to be hour-long training sessions in the gym (unless you want to). When my son was little I would hike with him in the carrier. Getting some exercise outside in the fresh like this always improved both of our moods. My son would often fall asleep while I was walking. The key is to find an exercise that fits with you and your family. Even if all you have is 15 minutes a day, do that, just be consistent with it.

Eat Healthily

Eating a well balanced, whole-food, plant-based diet is the foundation of good health. Eat a rainbow! Include a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. Eating healthily will not only help you shift the extra weight you put on during pregnancy it’s going to give you a healthier body and mind. A good diet improves gut health, memory, and quality of sleep, your body becomes stronger and less likely to develop disease. Not to mention the food tastes good! There is so much healthy and delicious food to explore. Need some inspiration? Follow me on Instagram.

Take the time to look good and don’t feel guilty about it!

I’ve seen countless examples of immaculately presented children while Mum looks like she’s just rolled out of bed. Why?! I understand that life can get busy with small children, but when we look good we feel better. Taking the time to dress well is not a waste of time it is an investment in yourself. This is going to look different for everybody, but I would encourage you to wear clothing that flatters that body shape you currently have. Celebrate your new body! Wear clothing that accentuates your new curves or shows off those full breasts (thank you breastfeeding). Woman, you are beautiful. My personal beauty hack has been getting my eyebrows and lashes done (wax and tint) in the salon once a month. It makes such a difference. When my eyebrows and lashes are done I can get away without doing a full face of makeup. Tinted moisturiser and lip gloss, five minutes good to go!

Do things for yourself that make you feel good

Again, this is going to look different for everybody, but here are a few feel-good ideas to get you started . . . Drink your morning coffee slowly. Read a good book. Get outside in the fresh air. Take the kids to the beach or the park, let them burn off some steam while you ground yourself on the earth. Dance. Paint. Make music. Spend time in the garden. Burn some scented candles or put some flowers in a vase so your home smells good. Listen to a podcast while you are cooking. Spend time with your partner or friends. Take a relaxing bath after the kids have gone down to bed at night. Do the things which bring you joy!

Sleep

The amount of sleep a person needs varies depending on their age and lifestyle. Obviously, when we have small children our sleep cycle is constantly interrupted. Sleep when you can, the laundry can wait. During sleep our cells are repaired, our muscles are rebuilt, hormones synthesize, and our brains undergo a process called “consolidation”. This basically is when our brain sorts through our short-term memories (what recently happened), and figures out what can be discarded and what needs to be stored as long-term memories. Getting a good night’s rest will improve concentration, and productivity and maximize athletic performance.

Learn which healthy habits and foods to include in your diet to build and support your immune system. Naturally Strong is a free E-Book that also includes recipes to help you become healthy and strong, the natural way. For your copy follow the link and sign up for the mailing list.