Quote from
Lily Chen on September 26, 2025, 7:18 pm
"title": "Finding Myself Again After Motherhood",
"content": "I never imagined how much my body-and my sense of self-would change after having kids. The weight gain was gradual, almost invisible at first, until one day I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the person staring back. The stretch marks, the softness, the way my clothes no longer fit-it wasn’t just physical. It was a quiet grief I hadn’t expected.
At first, I told myself it was normal. Motherhood is messy, and my body had done something incredible. But over time, the discomfort grew. I avoided photos, skipped social events where I’d have to wear something fitted, and made excuses for why I couldn’t keep up with my kids on the playground. The weight wasn’t just extra pounds-it was a barrier between me and the life I wanted to live.
I tried every diet under the sun. Keto, intermittent fasting, juice cleanses-you name it, I’ve done it. Some worked for a while, but the weight always crept back. The problem wasn’t the plans; it was the mindset. I was punishing myself, not nourishing myself. I’d lose 10 pounds, feel guilty for eating a slice of cake, and then binge out of frustration. The cycle was exhausting.
Then, something shifted. My daughter turned five, and I realized I didn’t want to be the mom who sat on the sidelines. I wanted to run with her, climb trees, and keep up on hikes. That’s when I stopped thinking of weight loss as punishment and started seeing it as a gift to my future self. I hired a trainer who specialized in post-partum recovery, and for the first time, I felt strong instead of broken.
The journey hasn’t been linear. Some days, I still struggle with body image. Some days, I eat ice cream for dinner and don’t care. But I’ve learned that progress isn’t about perfection-it’s about consistency, kindness, and showing up for myself the way I show up for my kids.
Now, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, and I’m proud of the body that carried and raised two humans. But I still have questions for those of you who’ve been through this: How did you redefine your relationship with your body after kids? What habits or mindsets helped you stick to your goals? And most importantly, how do you balance self-care with the never-ending demands of motherhood? I’d love to hear your stories."
}
"title": "Finding Myself Again After Motherhood",
"content": "I never imagined how much my body-and my sense of self-would change after having kids. The weight gain was gradual, almost invisible at first, until one day I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the person staring back. The stretch marks, the softness, the way my clothes no longer fit-it wasn’t just physical. It was a quiet grief I hadn’t expected.
At first, I told myself it was normal. Motherhood is messy, and my body had done something incredible. But over time, the discomfort grew. I avoided photos, skipped social events where I’d have to wear something fitted, and made excuses for why I couldn’t keep up with my kids on the playground. The weight wasn’t just extra pounds-it was a barrier between me and the life I wanted to live.
I tried every diet under the sun. Keto, intermittent fasting, juice cleanses-you name it, I’ve done it. Some worked for a while, but the weight always crept back. The problem wasn’t the plans; it was the mindset. I was punishing myself, not nourishing myself. I’d lose 10 pounds, feel guilty for eating a slice of cake, and then binge out of frustration. The cycle was exhausting.
Then, something shifted. My daughter turned five, and I realized I didn’t want to be the mom who sat on the sidelines. I wanted to run with her, climb trees, and keep up on hikes. That’s when I stopped thinking of weight loss as punishment and started seeing it as a gift to my future self. I hired a trainer who specialized in post-partum recovery, and for the first time, I felt strong instead of broken.
The journey hasn’t been linear. Some days, I still struggle with body image. Some days, I eat ice cream for dinner and don’t care. But I’ve learned that progress isn’t about perfection-it’s about consistency, kindness, and showing up for myself the way I show up for my kids.
Now, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, and I’m proud of the body that carried and raised two humans. But I still have questions for those of you who’ve been through this: How did you redefine your relationship with your body after kids? What habits or mindsets helped you stick to your goals? And most importantly, how do you balance self-care with the never-ending demands of motherhood? I’d love to hear your stories."
}
