A couple of weeks ago I wanted to slap the stupidity out of a 20-something female bagger at my local grocery store. As I placed a copy of my favorite pregnancy fitness magazine on the belt, she admiringly looked and said, "Wow, she's perfect." I asked her who she was talking about as it was just she, the cashier and I present. She then said, "Her, on this magazine. My sister had tons of stretch marks on her breasts and hips - this lady is just perfect, blonde with a great tan." Visibly annoyed, I snatched my magazine and told her never to base her standards of perfection on a magazine cover and that her sister is fine. The cashier winked at me, and then I left the store even more intent on educating women about postpartum wellness and finding role models in their neighborhoods - not on magazine covers.
When I used to live in Los Angeles, I used to be caught off-guard when I would see a famous person up close. The person in front of me looked nothing like what I saw in magazines. I liked what I saw. The stars in front of me were real, with freckles, gray hair, and lines, lots of them. Since I've recently had the privilege of having professional hair and makeup artists transform me to be photo-ready I can say with authority now that it is all camera tricks, makeup, and lighting. I think I am an attractive woman, but with the right lighting, camera tricks and great hair and makeup artists, the finished product looks nothing like me, and I wouldn't dare venture out in public with that face. This is the same effect that magazines use to get people to buy. Pregnancy fitness magazines do a very good job of making moms-to-be feel as though they have to be perfect while pregnant.
The problem with the Hollywood mommy version of this problem is that most people do not realize it is the actress' job to look good. Many of us regular moms do not have this burden. Although it is important for us to lose postpartum pounds, it is not a necessity to do so within a month after having a baby as Heidi Klum famously did a few years ago. Our paycheck will be just fine if we had a roll or two upon our return to work after maternity leave. The reality is that many moms work, raise children and take care of their homes on top of trying to stay in shape. Hollywood moms wax poetically about their trainers, dieticians, nutritionists and chefs who help them to achieve svelte shapes.
The biggest piece of advice for new moms is to rest after baby. The baby industry makes a killing off of moms who believe they are inadequate, helpless souls, and through the magazine ads and covers make you want to put your newborn baby in the care of someone else so you can sweat off the pounds. This is dangerous and downright risky. Your body needs time to rejuvenate and heal after carrying a life inside of you for the past nine months. Don't punish it by whipping it into shape so fast. Let go of your idea of perfection and embrace health as your goal for your postpartum body. Your child needs a healthy, not hot mom.
Next week I answer the question, "How soon after birth can I begin exercising?"
------
Vianesa Vargas is the founder of Take Care Project Inc, a lifestyle and wellness company for mothers. You can read her other articles at
http://www.takecareproject.com .
