After having a baby, many of us struggle with feeling self-conscious about our bodies.

Real-life postpartum bodies often do not resemble what we see on magazine covers or on TV.  I love The Shape of a Mother website, which shows photos of real women who have given birth.  These photos are not touched up, and help us to realize what normal actually is.

Unfortunately, flat bellies, no stretch marks, and no migration of other body parts are the “norm” that is paraded in front of us.

Not to say there aren’t a few lucky women whose bodies look like they’ve never carried a baby, but for most of us this isn’t case. In the overwhelming months (and years) after having a baby, it is easy to feel uncomfortable in our skin.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked through my closet, before going somewhere, and couldn’t find one thing that fit or that I felt looked good on me.

Although it’s really challenging, I want you to see through the self-doubts and criticisms in your head and realize how amazing your body is! You brought life into this world and you rock! Try to embrace your beautiful body and take some time during the hectic days for yourself.

5 Ways to Feel and Look Great Today!

#1 Sunlight

Spend some time outside in the sunshine! Try to expose as much of your skin as possible to get full body exposure. I know this may contradict everything you’ve ever heard a about sun, covering up and sunscreen.

However, sunlight is essential for our health and is a precursor to Vitamin D. Remember, you don’t need to spend hours unexposed in the sun, just around 20 minutes, depending on how well you tolerate it.

• Natural sunlight helps our bodies to synthesize Vitamin D, which is vital to our health.
• Vitamin D helps with so many of our body’s functions, such as cell growth, mood regulation, and even decreasing inflammation.
• Sunlight also helps to regulate our circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are our body’s natural clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles. Sunlight and darkness have a huge effect on our circadian rhythms.
• If you live in a climate where there is not much sunlight, or if it is winter, consider taking a Vitamin D supplement. Since Vitamin D is fat-soluble, it is important to take it with a fat so that it will be absorbed readily by our bodies. I take Nutrigold Vitamin D3. For dosing recommendations, check out the Vitamin D Council’s website, http://www.vitamindcouncil.org. You can also ask your doctor to test your Vitamin D levels.

#2 Movement

Moving our bodies is another key to looking and feeling great. This does not mean that you need to kill yourself in an hour long cardio class or go to the gym. Find something that you enjoy and carve out a little time to do it.

Moving your body helps brain function, memory, mood, lymphatic flow, and overall wellness. Some people do well if they schedule exercise on their calendar.

Personally, if I focus on “getting some movement into my day,” instead of “working out”, it is much more approachable. Also, if one 40 minute workout doesn’t fit i to your schedule, try doing four ten minute workouts throughout the day. What are some ways to get moving?

• Get outside and go for a walk or hike
• Play tag or kickball with your kids
• Have a dance party with or without kids
• Lift some weights
• Check out the many workout apps that are available

#3 Nurture yourself

This is huge for our well-being! As moms, we are programmed to take care of everyone else first and put ourselves last.

The thought of prioritizing our needs may cause feelings of guilt. However, in order to be strong enough and healthy enough to take care of everyone else’s physical and emotional needs, we need to start taking care of our own first.

I am not suggesting that we neglect our children or family, but schedule time for ourselves every day to take care of our needs.

• Make sure that you get nourishing meals throughout the day
• Take vitamins and supplements
• Squeeze in a shower or bath
• Take five minutes to pray or practice deep breathing or meditation
• Get a massage
• Connect with nature
• Connect with friends

#4 Nutrition

What we put into our bodies is super important to our physical, mental and emotional well-being. We could take supplements all day long, but without high quality whole-foods, we will not be giving our bodies the nutrients that they need to thrive.

Poor nutrition can lead to so many problems, such as hormonal imbalances, fatigue, depression, restless sleep, weight gain, along with a very long list of medical conditions and ailments. How can you make sure your nutrition is on point?

• Cut out the processed foods
• Cut way back on sugar. In fact, cutting out sugar, other than that which is found in fruits is best.
• Eat wild-caught, pasture-raised, grass-fed meats and pastured eggs. These tend to be ethically raised and the nutrient value is much higher than animals raised on factory farms and in fisheries.
• Eat as many plants as possible! Sneak them in at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and whenever possible. Buy organic fruits and vegetables when you can.
• Round out your diet with carbohydrates such as yams, potatoes, plantains, squashes, and white rice.
• Incorporate fats such as grass-fed butter, pastured lard, grass-fed tallow, coconut oil and olive oil
• Stay hydrated. Especially while pregnant or breastfeeding. Water is great with lemon and a pinch of sea salt for minerals. Coconut water without added sugars and flavoring is also good.

Put yourself first, so that you are physically and mentally well enough to nurture your baby. Don’t worry about getting housework done. This is a time in your life when you can justifiably utilize some convenience items. I have learned this the hard way. Pull out some paper plates and utensils, keep meals simple, don’t worry about the laundry piles!

Try to fit these five practices into your daily routine and you will begin to feel and look great in no time!

Comments?  Questions?  Join the conversation about postpartum well-being in the comments below.  Interested in working together?  Try a free Discovery Session today!