This woman’s postpartum photo fights back against the idea that new moms need to “bounce back”

With the invention of social media, it’s easier now for the everyday person to be recognized for all the extraordinary things they do. Just ask Instagram celebrity, Alexa Jean Brown, who is better known by her Instagram handle, alexajeanfitness. She’s an inspiration to many who strive to get their ideal body, and her posts revolving around her husband and two daughters make us all do that high-pitched squeal noise.

But just over a month after having her second daughter, Brown is now inspiring new mothers to not feel pressured to “bounce back” mere days after giving birth.

She wants new moms to know that no matter what they looked like before their pregnancy, having stretch marks and belly rolls postpartum is definitely okay.

“Our society has put this idea in our heads that women have to bounce right back after having a baby,” Brown wrote in her Instagram caption, “but that’s typically just not realistic.”

Brown shared a memory of seeing a woman on Instagram who had given birth the day before. Her stomach was flat and she still had her abs. Brown wrote that she thought to herself, “wowie, I hope I can pull that off.”

“Then fast forward to my 1-day postpartum body and it was more of the squishy, droopy flub that I remember after my first baby,” Brown wrote. “As bummed as I was that I didn’t just bouce right back to my pre-baby body, I can’t help but feel so amazed that this body created two beautiful babies.”

The fitness blogger has opened up to followers in the past about her insecurities and her need for outside approval. In the post below, she reminds those reading that what they see online is only one side of the story. Things may seem perfect in the lives of celebrities, but they are still humans with their own struggles.

It’s always okay to express insecurities and open up to those you trust.

In her postpartum Instagram, Brown writes,

“If you’re finding yourself obsessing about, feeling ashamed of or apologizing for the appearance of your body, even if you haven’t just had a child, STOP. Our bodies are incredible and amazing and we need to love every inch of it.”

Amen, sister. Absolutely love every inch of what you’ve got.