Stop the Mommy Makeover Madness

The mommy makeover thing has to stop.

If you want it and you’re willing to take the surgical risks, by all means go for it.

But let’s be real. Most people don’t have an extra $20K lying around for body reconstruction. So let’s be real.

Motherhood takes a toll on our bodies. For some, the even journey of conception starts the damage with hormones and other conception journeys. Pregnancy itself is not without risk. Post-partum comes with a separate set of challenges too.

If you know me personally, you know that I struggled through my pregnancies. I gained nearly 80 lbs each time. I’ve had multiple weird health issues each time. Pregnancy is hard. Having a newborn is hard. This whole “bounce back after baby” and “mommy makeover” thing is ridiculous.

Let’s be honest. Almost any woman could pose seductively on that chair and feel empowered. Notice I said empowered. Not sexy. Companies think we want to feel sexy. But do you know why we want to feel sexy? Because it’s empowering! So skip the notion that you have to fit someone else’s mold to be sexy.

So getting back to the mom thing. I’ve been there. Society doesn’t like us if we are too thin. They don’t like us if we are too heavy. I’ve even see people comment on the acceptable level of excess size. What is that? And when we are the “right size”, whatever that is, then they don’t like us because life must be so easy, we didn’t really earn anything on our own merits. There is no winning in this system. I call BS.

So you do you. And if you want to take a chair dance class or a belly dance class, do it now. Don’t wait to be the perfect size. We aren’t getting any younger. Actually today is the youngest you’ll ever be, so what are you waiting for?

There’s nothing wrong with your body. Your body has gotten you through your lowest lows and propelled you to your heighest heights. So be kind to it. Ask it what it needs. Nourish your body with food, hydration and kind words. Talk to yourself as you would a precious child. Because we are always learning and growing and also because you are precious. You are important and you deserve to be happy now. Your happiness should not be tied to your appearance.

If you want to learn more about positive self-talk, I highly suggest you look up Louise Hay’s work.

You don’t have to “bounce back” to anything. You don’t owe anyone a “bounce forward” either. Your body is not going to be the same after baby because you are not the same woman anymore. And that’s ok! We are supposed to grow and evolve in this life. Otherwise we are missing the point! Society is so focused on the fountain of youth that we overlook the value of gathering and sharing our wisdom.

If I could go back and tell my post-partum self anything, I would tell her to be kind to herself and to love her body. I would tell her that her best is more than enough.

Because you see this ad? It’s sending the opposite message. And that’s wrong. Back to the main point of many of my blogs: love yourself and do what you want! Live your life now mama. You don’t need to chase perfection before you are worthy. You are worthy now.

And for my shameless plug, if you’re ready to try some wild, empowering fitness classes, check out my upcoming schedule. I’d love to shake it with you sexy mama!

In-person Classes Winter Haven, FL

Friday 10/21 Belly Dance Fitness 6-7:15p at Inside Out Yoga Focus: Hip Lifts and Drops $20

Friday 11/11 Belly Dance Fitness 6-7:15p at Inside Out Yoga Focus: Figure 8s

Friday 12/16 Santa Baby Chair Dance 6-7:15p at Inside Out Yoga $20 bring knee pads or yoga mat

Register for these classes at https://ioyogastudio.com

Virtual Classes

Saturdays, October 8, 15 and 22

$10 each class

9-9:30am EST

Raq the Barre: authentic belly dance technique with barre fitness, gentle on the joints and you’ll feel it working! Use a chair  (or even the back of a couch or kitchen counter) as your “barre”: optional.

Register online at https://www.sommos.fit/p/KellyBus

I’m also available for private belly dance and chair dance parties in the Winter Haven area. My October online calendar is coming soon.