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A Mom’s Refreshingly Real Fitness Journey: ‘Not Everyone Can Live at the Gym’
“Not everyone can live at the gym, and not everyone gets abs after having a baby.”
The postpartum struggle is real for many moms. From the numbers on the scale to stretch marks and everything in between, the list of concerns goes on and on (and sadly, it can feel endless). However, one mom on Instagram is flipping the script on the typical postpartum narrative, and her journey is a breath of fresh air. Spoiler alert: her secret isn’t some fad diet or an insane gym routine.
Meet Jenna Morrison, a mom to a 13-month-old who is bravely sharing her authentic journey into postpartum fitness. Instead of focusing on rigid workout schedules, her approach is centered around self-love, patience, and embracing one’s body. Recently, she posted a side-by-side photo comparing her “bloated” belly (her words) to her flat tummy when posing.
“REALITY CHECK!” she captions the image, reminding everyone that perfection is a myth. In her post, Jenna shares that she carried her child for 42 weeks, has a tummy pouch from her emergency C-section, and deals with stress-induced eczema on her stomach. She drops a truth bomb: “It’s completely normal to look like this. Stop thinking everyone on Instagram looks like their pictures 24/7; most of the time, they’ve taken a hundred photos to find the best one.”
Jenna emphasizes the importance of kindness towards ourselves as we navigate postpartum changes: “You’re beautiful just the way you are—imperfections included. Self-love is key, so stop fighting against it.”
Many women, myself included, find ourselves trapped in the postpartum “bounce back” mentality, often comparing ourselves to celebrities who seem to return to their pre-baby bodies overnight. We know it’s unrealistic, especially without a team of nannies, chefs, and personal trainers! Yet, we still fall into the trap of negative body image. Jenna is on a mission to change this narrative with her radically genuine fitness journey.
“Not everyone can live at the gym and not everyone will have abs after pregnancy,” Jenna told The Parenting Advice Blog. “I realized how many women are looking for the same reassurance, so I decided to document my journey—every high and low, as real as it needs to be.” One scroll through her Instagram, and you’ll find yourself nodding along to her relatable messages.
“Forget the scale,” she writes, encouraging others not to measure progress by clothing sizes or numbers. “Clothing size isn’t everything; my waist may be getting smaller, but building my bum and thighs will always push me up a few sizes.”
Jenna believes in slow, steady progress and that the ultimate goal should just be finding happiness with your body—not necessarily returning to your pre-pregnancy shape.
In another post, she reflects on the shock of her C-section recovery and the reality of a postpartum body that doesn’t look like the perfectly curated images online. “Hating yourself and being negative won’t change anything,” she asserts.
She inspires with her message of self-acceptance, proving that loving your body can lead to real progress. “How do you get a bikini body? Put on a bikini!” she quips, reminding us that there will always be something to critique, so why not choose positivity instead?
As bikini season approaches, Jenna has a reminder for all moms: “You have all the time in the world to change anything you’re not happy with. But you only get one chance to make beautiful memories with your baby, so cherish every moment. You’re amazing just as you are.”
In summary, Jenna Morrison’s candid approach to postpartum fitness is a refreshing reminder that self-love and acceptance are just as important as physical fitness. Her journey encourages all moms to embrace their bodies, let go of unrealistic standards, and focus on what truly matters—making memories with their little ones.