Rejecting Bounce-Back Culture

Bounce-back culture tells us we need to "get back" to the body we had then, but body respect teaches us to appreciate our bodies in the here and now

Written by Emily Edling & Cristina Luibil, MS, RD, LDN. Edited by Sabrina Stadelman.

It's a joy to work with our clients, more than half of whom are adult women, most of whom are mothers.

Your body is amazing for all the ways it takes care of you, keeping you and everyone else going.

For mothers, our bodies may go through the incredible experience of growing, delivering, and feeding a baby- a miraculous thing!

In our culture, there is a kind of expectation that a new mom should "bounce back" after childbirth and that she has a responsibility to get her pre-pregnancy body "back". Not only should this not be the expectation, but it's also not realistic. Our bodies go through tremendous changes during pregnancy and childbirth, and often, our bodies are permanently changed. This is totally normal!

We resent that this expectation is even out there. Your body has done something to be celebrated! A new life has entered the world! It seems inconsequential to critique the way a person's appearance has changed in the process. To reduce our appreciation for our bodies because they have changed diminishes the true value of our bodies. It's as if our culture encourages us to simultaneously appreciate our bodies but also wants to encourage change toward an arbitrary thin and fit standard. This can apply to other seasons of life, too- puberty and menopause, when women's bodies also experience big changes.

We would challenge the idea that there is a need to think about your size and shape after having a baby. It is a waste of your precious energy. A changed body isn't any less valuable than the body from the past. We could argue that a changed body is extra special because of what it's been through, the amazing work it's done, and the new wisdom it now holds. This change can be from childbirth, but also from all of the lifetime changes that ALL bodies go through!

You may find it helpful to try to neutralize the thoughts and imagine how you'd address something similar for a friend. If a friend had been out in the sun a lot over the summer and now had some permanent new freckles, we wouldn't think to shame her about the fun she had in the sun. Or if a friend is showing more gray hair these days, we wouldn't think to scold her for aging. Can we direct that kind sentiment toward ourselves and our bodies?

We hold space to honor our bodies with the stretch marks, the dimples, the gray hair, and the wrinkles to come. We are grateful for the arms that hold newborns, bodies that comfort them, and softness that makes cuddling possible.

Because sometimes moms don't hear it enough: You are all amazing people showing up in wonderful ways in your lives and for your kids and families. You are all balancing the pressures and challenges of life and thriving (some days just surviving) in beautiful ways.

Having empathy and compassion for all the ways our here-and-now bodies help us live our best lives is what body respect is all about.

How can you thank your body today?

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only. It may not be tailored to your specific health needs as it is written here. This content is not intended to replace personalized medical advice, nutrition counseling, or medical nutrition therapy. Any recipes or suggestions provided are meant to inspire and should be used at your discretion. Always consult with your own registered dietitian, physician, or healthcare provider before making changes to your nutrition, lifestyle, or treatment plan. If you choose, Aterra Nutrition would be happy to help you in your own, individual nutrition and intuitive eating journey.