The “snapback.” We need to talk about it. Especially now since the topic’s been in entertainment news lately.
What does “snapback” mean?
Maybe you’ve heard of it. Maybe you haven’t. But it’s the idea that after having a baby, you suddenly snapback to what you looked like before you were pregnant. Because losing baby weight and getting your body back to what it looked like happens in a snap, right? Wrong. Not for me and not for many women. I’m 10 months postpartum and I still have 10 pounds I’d like to lose. But, I like egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches and chocolate, so that may not happen.
Thank you, Nikki Bella.
Nikki Bella was a WWE wrestler, so obviously, she’s always been in shape. In the summer of 2020, she had a son and recently she talked about the snapback. And, not to put too fine a point on it, but she called it “bullsh–t.. The former wrestler told Ashley Graham on her podcast Pretty Big Deal that the snapback “messes with you.”
Literally, someone the other day was like, ‘Gosh, she’s still big!’ and I was like ‘Excuse me?’ – Nikki Bella
What Helped Nikki
With the birth of her first child, Nikki now works with a life coach who had some advice for her and other moms dealing with snapback pressure.
She makes me, like, grab parts of my body I don’t like and then I say, like, ‘Thank you for creating Matteo and making him healthy.’ – Nikki Bella
Nikki says she’s now appreciating and loving her body—like all of us mothers should. Well, I mean, you can appreciate Nikki’s body, but yours too!
What’s NOT Helpful to New Moms
Another celebrity, Hilaria Baldwin, is a mother of five and she looks absolutely incredible. She’s the wife of Alec Baldwin, she’s a yoga instructor. Only 3 months after the birth of her fifth child, she looked incredible.
Like I said… incredible.
However, I am 10 months postpartum and when I saw this photo, my immediate reaction was, “Why don’t I look like that?” It made me feel bad. I realize the photo should be a motivator, but it just wasn’t for me.
My Postpartum Body Now
I am actually okay with how my body looks now. Will I hop on the treadmill when I can? Sure. As soon as I am done with my full-time job, taking care of 2 boys, cleaning the house, and doing all the laundry, I’ll get right on that.
I’m not someone who really finds happiness from exercise. So, in the meantime, to make me happy, I’ll be taking my 10 extra pounds into a hot bathtub and decompress while reading a book or listening to a podcast.
I also follow amazing mothers on social media who share stories and insights that I enjoy. I can subscribe to their vibe—which is one about accepting your body for what it just created and finding beauty in who you are. One of my favorite quotes comes from @jademariekingxx:
I will ‘snap back’ eventually.. but it takes time & I’m in no rush. And you shouldn’t be either ❤️ Please remember that it’s ok not to have a flat belly straight after growing a whole person for 9 months. And it’s ok not to care much about it either ✨
