What does it really mean to “bounce back” after having a baby?
I’ve been reflecting on what “bouncing back” means a lot lately. Before I had kids, I was so regimented with consistent workouts, feeling strong, and staying in tune with my body. But then life happened.
My husband and I tried to conceive for over a year. Then I was pregnant for 9 months. Then I breastfed for 9 months. Then I got pregnant again 10 months postpartum. My second pregnancy was tough—gestational diabetes, relentless nausea and vomiting until 22 weeks. My body felt wrecked. And after giving birth, I breastfed again—for 15 months. That all adds up to 1 month where I wasn’t pregnant or breastfeeding over the course of 4.5 years. 1 month when I wasn’t giving my body to someone else.
Somewhere in all of that, I lost myself.
I remember feeling so alone when my period returned while I was still breastfeeding.
I was nauseous all the time, my hormones were out of control, and I couldn’t find anyone else going through the same thing to reassure me that what I was experiencing was normal—or to offer any advice on how to feel better. I got an ultrasound to check if there were any issues and everything looked normal. I kept being told, “That’s just how it is.” And to take Zofran to manage the symptoms. But that didn’t make it any easier.
Finally, after my daughter turned one and a half—just a little while after I finished breastfeeding—I walked back into Burn Boot Camp, the gym I had loved before I got married.
I nearly cried when I walked through the door again – something about all the nerves, maybe a little embarrassment or disappointment in myself, fear, and doubt that lives inside when you’re a postpartum mother. It took me a while to adjust to the “new me” and stop chasing the “before kids me”. After all, so much was different.
But stepping back in was the best thing I could have done. I started out small: three days a week. That was my goal. It wasn’t about snapping back or looking a certain way – it was about proving to myself that I could commit to something again, that I was still in there somewhere. I loved Burn so much before and took a total hiatus after having kids. I opted for at-home work outs, Peloton, pilates – you name it, but nothing ever gave me the results, and satisfaction, that Burn did. What I found after walking through that door again was a whole new appreciation for it. The 45-minute HIIT classes were the perfect length—just long enough to push myself but short enough that I wouldn’t overthink it. I get in, I work hard, and I walk out feeling amazing. Plus, the free childcare was a game-changer for me as a mom.
What really struck me, though, was the energy in the room—women at every stage of life, from high school and college students to moms with newborns, toddlers, and older kids, to women well into their 50s and beyond, all showing up and putting in the work. It was so inspiring, and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this journey. Seeing women in every phase of life—some juggling babies, others balancing careers, and many just carving out this time for themselves—reminded me that strength looks different for everyone. It wasn’t about “bouncing back” to who I was before kids; it was about rebuilding in a way that made sense for my life now.
And every time I walked out of that gym, no matter how exhausted or unmotivated I had felt going in, I left feeling stronger—not just physically, but mentally too.
Now, almost a year later, I’ve stayed consistent. I can finally say I’m starting to feel like myself again.
But here’s what no one tells you: it takes time. If you’re in the thick of it, feeling like you’ll never get back to yourself, I just want you to know: You’re not alone. You don’t have to go all in overnight. Just take one small step. Walk through the door, whether it’s a gym, a yoga class, a walk outside—whatever feels right for you. Commit to something small that you can actually maintain. Some days, you won’t want to show up. I still have those days. But nine times out of ten, I walk out feeling better than when I walked in.
And that, I’ve learned, is what it really means to bounce back. Not returning to who you were before—but rebuilding, little by little, into the strongest version of who you are now.
To read another blog post related to health, fitness and wellness, check out 5 Things I Learned from Starting Weight Training at 8 Months Postpartum
I love this post, and it resonates with me me so much. Thank you for sharing, and making me feel less alone.