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Hey, Beachbody Coaches: Please Stop Targeting Postpartum Women
We’ve all been there, right? You’re leisurely scrolling through your social media feed when—bam!—another acquaintance has taken the plunge into becoming a coach, eager to guide others on their weight loss journeys and health transformations. You wince as you realize you have a message inviting you to join this “incredible company!” Sound familiar? If not, count yourself fortunate.
I can’t help but feel like I’m an “easy” target for these coaches. After all, I recently had twins! It must seem like I’m desperate to shed all that baby weight. The invitation usually goes something like this: “Hey, I saw you had twins! Congrats! I’d love to help you lose that baby weight!”
First of all, thanks? But seriously, stop it! I barely know you! And even if we were friends, I want to emphasize that every time you suggest I need to lose weight, I start to believe it. This insecurity radiates to my perceptive toddler, which is terrifying. One of my biggest fears as a parent is that my insecurities will affect my daughters’ ability to find a healthy balance in their lives, especially regarding body image.
When you claim you can help me get fit (i.e., lose weight), it makes me obsess over the calories in that cupcake I just shared with my daughter. She sees that. It keeps me from enjoying the cookies we baked together. She notices. It leads me to prioritize workouts over much-needed rest, and she wonders why I’m too exhausted to play with her.
You might say, “Just buy Shakeology! It’ll give you energy!” But the reality is, I haven’t had a fancy coffee since before the twins were born. It’s either your shakes or my daughters’ formula, so…
I completely understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and setting a positive example for my daughters. However, I find the rampant messaging around “strong is the new skinny” or “I want to show my daughter that women should be strong!” troubling. Why? Because “strong” often becomes equated with flat abs and defined muscles.
What I’m inadvertently teaching my daughters with these messages is that their value lies in how “strong” they appear or how strictly they eat. That’s not okay. I’d rather show them how to enjoy their broccoli before indulging in chocolate cake or move their bodies for fun rather than obligation.
I want them to understand that it’s perfectly fine to have lazy days, and that there’s no such thing as “cheat” days because all food is acceptable when consumed in moderation. I want them to listen to their bodies instead of their minds, which often compare us to others. I want them to know that even if they have soft tummies or eat two cookies instead of one, they are valuable. Their worth does not hinge on these things, and the best way to instill this belief in them is to embody it myself.
So, I kindly ask that you stop. Let me embrace this phase of motherhood, complete with love handles, without pressuring me to join your “team.” I’m focused on raising empowered, balanced women, and I won’t be sidetracked.
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Summary:
The article addresses the challenges postpartum women face with unsolicited weight loss coaching, emphasizing the importance of body positivity and setting healthy examples for children. The author shares personal experiences about the pressures to conform to societal beauty standards, advocating for a balanced approach to health and well-being.