16 celebrities who got real about their post-baby bodies
![UP NEXT]()
UP NEXT
For most women, the postpartum journey is just that-a journey. The mind and body experience so many changes before, during, and after childbirth, and fitness trainer Emily Skye-who welcomed her son Izaac in June-is speaking up to remind moms that they shouldn't feel rushed to"snap back" to normal, whether that's a pants size or an emotional state.
In a March 22 Instagram post, Skye, 36, shared photos of her body six weeks and nine months postpartum."Recently a celebrity showed off her super flat belly 11 days after having her baby. I've seen so many people, especially mothers upset by it and compare their own bodies," she captioned the post."As you can see there was no'snap back' over here!"
The progress photos from her last nine months show her body's immense changes, but what's most important is that she celebrates the evidence of pregnancy that remains."I still have excess belly skin and my tummy still wants to come'out' when I'm not consciously holding it tight," she wrote."I've worked extremely hard to get fit, healthy and strong, harder than ever - but I love how it makes me feel; powerful, resilient and capable of anything and most importantly happy."
She encouraged other moms not to compare themselves to each other, that it never does any good."I am all for body positivity and celebrating ALL bodies. Comparing and feeling inferior to people who seem'perfect' is unhealthy," she wrote."How you feel about yourself is your responsibility, don't give that power to other people. This is something I had to learn myself too!?"
With that in mind, she added that she didn't get fit for anyone but herself. After having her first baby, she struggled deeply with comparison, especially to other people in the fitness field."I felt like an imposter as a'Fitness Expert' [sic] because I didn't look'fit.' This time around I knew better than to compare & beat myself up," she said."I'm not trying to get my body'back', I'm just aiming to be my best.???"
The point of this post for Skye was to hopefully inspire other women to set and follow their own postpartum paths-physically and mentally. In an Instagram Story, she added that she struggled with"postnatal depression" after having her first."Your whole world (and body) has changed, you're sleep deprived, emotional," she wrote. That's why she found power in pulling herself away from social media and the people she stacked herself up against."I stopped scrolling through IG and had some time away from it and unfollowed or muted anyone that caused me to feel anything but good," she added.
Followers appreciated Skye's vulnerability and encouragement-her words resonated with many."Such an important message and you are beautiful at every stage along your journey. Thank you for inspiring and being so real! ??" one person commented."Every postpartum journey is different and you are one hell of a woman to stand up and remind us all of that," another added."Well done Emily for this post, it is so honest and raw!" another wrote.
Skye's journey hasn't been easy, and it's taken a lot of time and conscious effort but for her, every step has been worth it."I know it's hard, it took me DECADES to get to this point?," she wrote in her grid post."Also, prioritizing your health and happiness is not selfish."
Go here to join Prevention Premium (our best value, all-access plan), subscribe to the magazine, or get digital-only access.
Try 200+ at home workout videos from Men's Health, Women's Health, Prevention, and more on All Out Studio free for 14 days!