When I got pregnant, I was really shocked with how little nutrition and fitness support was provided. This was such an important time for both my health and my future baby’s health and all I was told was to drink more water and take a prenatal. Entering postpartum there was even less help. Here I was after going through the most intense physical event of my life, holding on to some uncomfortable extra weight, and feeling foreign in my body and I was just told I could return to exercise at six weeks.

Thankfully, my knowledge as a dietetic student at the time and a pre- and postnatal coach informed me with tools to navigate this time successfully. I was able to ease back into things, reach a comfortable weight, and feel at home in my body again. But I realized for a lot of women, they might not have these tools and many spend years trying to navigate healing, losing weight, and feeling like themselves.

On top of all of this, diet marketing to new moms is insane. There is one set of messaging that tell moms not to do anything and just rest and take care of the baby, and another group that pushes the idea of bouncing back only weeks after giving birth. Both of these extremes are entirely unhelpful. 

These experiences ignited a passion in me to help women find the middle ground. They deserve to nourish themselves after delivery and take time to heal while also prioritizing their health and weight loss if they want to. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Mamas deserve support during this important time as they are caring for a new little life.