She recently revealed that she wanted people to stop “judging” new mums and now Gemma Atkinson has opened up about her post-baby body, ten weeks after giving birth to her adorable daughter Mia.
Sharing new pictures of her gorgeous girl, who looks like a doll in the shots, Gemma said she was “finally starting” to feel like herself again.
She told her Instagram followers: “I can honestly say that I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. Mia is 10 weeks on Thursday.”
She also opened up about the tot’s birth, saying it “wasn’t how I’d planned”.
She revealed: “I had 2 days slow labour leading to an emergency C section then a haemorrhage. Anyway, looking back, I’d do it all again to have Mia & the fact she’s here, happy & healthy makes it all worthwhile.”
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Gemma – whose boyfriend is Strictly Come Dancing hunk Gorka Marquez – also spoke about her mental health after giving birth.
She said: “Mentally I struggled for a while because I was frustrated at not being able to hold her for long, take her for walks, lift the car seat, I had pain around my scar when feeding, I felt a little helpless. Plus I was on strong medication which was making me feel a little fuzzy.”
Exercise helped to turn that all around, though.
Gemma added: “At 6 weeks postpartum I was given the go ahead to start training again but only light cardio. For the last month I’ve done daily 30-minute brisk walks with the pram & on days it’s been raining I’ve done my Stair Master at home.”
She also opened up about her post-baby diet.
“Food-wise I’ve kept my diet clean & I’ve been cooking in bulk to last me a few days & to save time. Breakfast is always protein, fats & fibre (eggs, greens & avocado) and I’ve had my oats and fruits after my walks.”
Gemma also revealed that she has made the choice to “ditch the scales”.
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Explaining her decision, she said: “I was keeping track of my weight but I’ve decided to ditch the scales. Firstly because I have more body fat than muscle at the moment & when I begin weight training at 14wks postpartum that will change so I may not drop anyway despite being leaner & fitter.”
She added: “I will still go up on the scales, leading to all kinds of silliness in my head. That’s why I’ve always said I’m happier going off how I feel mentally & how my clothes fit instead.”
She also opened up about how she’s feeling physically since giving birth.
Gemma said: “I still have some swelling around my scar, it still aches at times & my little belly pouch is still very much there. I’m softer all over.”
She added that, while she still has “a long way to go” physically and mentally, she couldn’t be happier.
“I feel really happy. I’m so lucky & so blessed to have my beautiful family and that overshadows everything in my opinion.”
Fans rushed to praise Gemma’s honesty, calling the star “brave” and “amazing”.
She recently hit out at critics of her parenting who offered unsolicited advice on how to raise Mia.
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