Can We Please Stop Telling Moms to “Bounce Back”?

How I'm reconnecting with my body after birth, and why it's never too late for you

Let’s just say it: “Bouncing back” after pregnancy is not the goal. And honestly, it’s kind of offensive. Your body creates life. It stretches, shifts, breaks open, feeds, and starts to heal.And society’s response? Tighten up. Shrink down. Act like nothing happened.

Not here.

I feel strong. I look good, but I’m not in bounce back mode. I’m in rebuild and respect mode.

My stomach is softer. My hips are wider. And some days, it’s still a struggle.I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes wish I looked exactly like I did before pregnancy. But here’s the truth: I can never have that exact body back, because that body created, carried, and birthed a human. And I’m so proud of what it did.

That doesn’t mean I’ve settled. That doesn’t mean I just accept pelvic floor issues or disconnected core strength or chronic tension.There’s a common message moms hear: “Well, what do you expect? You had a baby!” and I strongly disagree with that.You can absolutely feel strong. You can absolutely heal. Your body can absolutely look and function just as beautifully, or even better, than it did before.

This is what I work on daily. And it’s what I help other women do: Educate. Move. Breathe. Reconnect. Shift the mindset.

Because childbirth isn’t the end of your body.It’s a massive sacrifice, yes, but it’s not destruction.It’s a transformation. And transformations can be rebuilt with care and strength and support.

I’m not spending hours working out. I barely get five minutes here and there throughout my day, but I make those five minutes count.The reason I feel this strong now is because I supported myself before and after giving birth.

Pregnancy is incredibly physical, and new motherhood is even more demanding, often at a time when your body is still deeply healing.The more you can prepare during pregnancy, in ways that aren’t too taxing but build real strength, the better.

But it’s never too late. You didn’t miss your shot.

Whether you had your baby yesterday or 15 years ago, my Postnatal Program on RMTV is for you. It’s designed to meet you where you are and help you rebuild from the ground up through Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 in a way that’s sustainable and smart. No rushing. No pressure. Just real healing.

Here’s what’s made the biggest difference for me:

• I eat enough protein (80 to 100 grams a day) to support maintaining muscle. One of my favorite easy ways to do this is with this bone broth.

• I move with breath, core connection, and smart mechanics

• I train my stabilizers and alignment before and after birth

• I use my free moments to breathe, stretch, or release tension instead of scrolling. I keep this foam roller nearby and use it almost daily.

Small inputs. Big results.

I’m still me, messy hair, throwing outfits together two minutes before I walk out the door (I wish I could blame that on motherhood!)What’s changed is how I experience the small things:Watching my daughter discover her hands and feet, noticing how different my breath feels after a moment of presence, even making a snack feels grounding.

Nothing is wasted. Nothing is taken for granted.I appreciate and respect my body in an entirely new way, even on days when it’s not acting the way I’d like it to, when I feel frustrated or tired or off.I try to approach it with curiosity instead of criticism.With listening instead of judgment, which is incredibly hard, but has changed everything.

What saved me and what I teach in my Prenatal Program on RMTV

When I built this program, it was based on years of studying and working with clients. But going through it myself after birth made it even more personal.I didn’t rush. I didn’t try to bounce back.I rebuilt intentionally, layer by layer with breath, with awareness, with strength.

This is how I teach:

A somatic approach. Feel first, move second.It’s not about shapes. It’s about connection.

I also take a weekly GYROTONIC® private with an amazing instructor at my studio, Malia. Before every movement sequence, I take a moment to ground myself. To reconnect, reset my system. It’s not always easy to carve out the time. I often feel like I don’t have the time to do my videos or take a private. And both feel like extreme privileges but making time for deep connection and self-discovery is so important. My god, I need it for me, and for my family.

And I truly feel stronger now in new ways than I did before becoming a mom.

What’s inside the program

• AlignmentWhere you carry tension — especially brought on by poor positions you find yourself in while taking care of your baby — creates pain, but also creates that belly pooch or dead butt. Alignment is key to how you feel and look.

• BreathworkBreath is the root of core connection. You can’t crunch your way into stability.You have to breathe well to build core strength and build true strength (what I teach everyone).

• Deep Stabilizer StrengthThese muscles are your foundation and they protect you while you nurse, lift, carry, bend, squat, and move through your day.

• Functional Movement MechanicsHow you pick up your baby. How you get up from the floor. How you sit, stand, and walk.We don’t train workouts. We train for life. That’s what builds lasting strength.

Two tools you can start using today

Simple Posture Check : 3 Steps That Change EverythingThis video walks you through three posture cues that reduce tension and increase strength, whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just feeling off.

How to Engage Your Core CorrectlyUse this breath based cue before lifting anything or anyone. It supports your back and builds real core strength.

Want to feel strong during and after pregnancy?

My Prenatal Program on RMTV supports your body through every stage. Whether you’re preparing during pregnancy, healing after birth, or years into postpartum and ready to change how your body moves and feels, this is for you.

If you didn’t train during pregnancy because you were exhausted, sick, or overwhelmed, that’s okay. You can start now. The program helps you rebuild from the ground up. If your pelvic floor feels off, if your core feels disconnected, or if you’re just tired of feeling like your body is working against you, this is the place to begin.

It is never too late to heal, rebuild, or feel good in your body.

We have to stop telling women to bounce back.We deserve better language, better support, and better care for ourselves and for everything we’ve created.

With love,

Regan

Day in My Life Video