Bethany Hamilton doles out refreshing post-baby body advice

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

New mom Bethany Hamilton is keeping an eye on the headlines that contain her name, and she's not entirely thrilled by what she sees.

Posting to Facebook, the woman who survived a shark attack in 2003 wrote, "I've seen many comments on 'her post birth body.' I find it silly for us as women to worry about our body as we grow a human being inside of us!"

"It is such an amazing feat to go through pregnancy," the mother of Tobias Dirks continued. "And then you have this wonderful lil being that is part you and part of your significant other. It's natural and HEALTHY to gain weight."

Along with sharing a recent photo of herself surfing Bethany Hamilton continued, "I feel great and healthy! It takes 9 months for our bodies to change and grow. So I can say it's alright to take your time, maybe about 9 months, to get back to the new, healthy, beautiful, and normal you.  Lieber Films ‪#‎momlife‬ ‪#‎bhbodyandsoul‬."

The simple, honest advice is striking a chord with other moms out there. A look at what just a few of Bethany's fans replied:

"Women everywhere need to read more posts like this and less body shaming especially those who are mothers. Love yourself, be healthy for you and no one else, be confident in your skin."

"I'm 5 months pregnant and so happy to read something as true as this  this is mine and my husband's first baby and we are so ecstatic! I was a ballerina my whole life and very athletic so I was nervous about gaining the weight, but I am loving every second of being pregnant and watching the miracle of life happen to me!"

"Amen Bethany. You are a true role model and inspiration to woman of all ages. Beauty truly starts inside anyways."

It baffles me how one moment weight gain (and loss) can seem so heavy a subject, fraught with frustrations and self-loathing, and the next minute perspective is in place. Perhaps we all need a little more of that surfer-chill vibe in our daily lives?

Was the 9 months up and 9 months down adage true in your experience? Share with us in a comment below!

 

More celebrity moms who took to the beach during their pregnancies: