Gemma Atkinson praised as she shares candid post-baby body update - 'Not expecting to look like old self for months'
Gemma Atkinson has been praised for her honest account of motherhood
INSTAGRAM/GEMMA ATKINSON
Gemma Atkinson has taken to Instagram to share with fans an update on how she's doing two weeks after giving birth to her son.
The former Emmerdale star had been very open with her followers about all the trials and tribulations motherhood poses and this time she took a moment to reflect on her post-birth figure.
Atkinson triumphantly posed in front of a mirror with a smile on her face as she showed off her stomach.
The actress accompanied the clip with a lengthy and honest account of her attitude towards her body in the days since giving birth.
"All the things postpartum we go through," she began. "It’s very common for tummy’s to stay swollen after pregnancy and they usually stay swollen longer after a C section due to the inflammation and abdominal swelling from surgery.
"So don’t worry if you feel you still look pregnant as I do here. ITS NORMAL! I’m not expecting to look like my old self for months down the line yet."
Atkinson admitted she hadn't "left the house other than pottering about in the garden" since she returned home to recover.
Gemma Atkinson proudly showed off her tummy
INSTAGRAM/GEMMA ATKINSON
However, she admitted this week she's going to try "short walks" to ease herself back into exercise.
Atkinson continued: "What I’ve been focusing on instead is trying to make myself feel like my old self, and so far it’s worked.
"Despite broken sleep for 2 weeks I feel really good, upbeat, and ready to take on the day. The simple things I’ve been doing are…
"Cold showers. I can’t yet use the ice bath but I’ve stood under cold water every morning for a minute letting it run on my pituitary gland (base of the neck). It’s responsible for regulating so many functions in the body and essentially kick starts your system in the morning. It works a treat for boosting your mood.
"Secondly, my nutrition. I’m 12lb down since coming home from hospital. 2 stone to go yet," Atkinson revealed.
"With my hormones slowly settling and the cravings for crap which I had in pregnancy going I’m back to eating my usual foods. I’m snacking a lot as anyone will tell you breast feeding makes you hungry and we need the extra calories to feed.
"I’ve been snacking on things like nuts, fage yogurt, fruit, boiled eggs and dark chocolate. In pregnancy it was bread and haribo."
Atkinson added that the final thing to keep her positive was "affirmations", with the star regularly reminding herself that "thousands of women are now doing the exact same as me right now".
It didn't take long for fans to rush and praise the actress for her candor in regards to her post-pregnancy journey.
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Gemma Atkinson gave birth earlier this month to her second child
INSTAGRAM/GEMMA ATKINSON
One fan replied on Instagram: "I’m 3 days post c section with my first baby and this has just reassured me like you don’t know.
"Thank you for the honesty and wanting to build others up, not knock them down."
While a second added: "You look amazing! You should be so proud of yourself for being real!
"Showing other mums it’s normal to look the way they do after having a baby and not ‘springing’ back into shape, exercise and normal life because that's not reality.
"Myself and many other women look up to you for this very reason so never ever change xx." (sic)
Atkinson and fiancé Gorka Marquez welcomed Thiago earlier this month and already share four-year-old daughter, Mia.
Marquez is currently spending time away from the family's home as returns to work on Strictly Come Dancing ahead of the BBC show's comeback later this year.