Over my career as a physical therapist and postpartum fitness specialist, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of incredible women. I’ve taught a lot — but I’ve also learned a lot.
And here’s something I’ve noticed: many moms get some things right after having a baby, but they also fall into some really common traps.
The good news? By making just a few simple changes to your mindset, you can move from constant frustration to real, lasting progress.
So today I want to share the four mindset shifts I wish every mom knew about fitness after pregnancy — and what you can do differently starting today.
1. Your Body Is Not Amazon Prime
I get it — we live in a world of instant everything. Two-day shipping, same-day grocery delivery, one-click access to almost anything you want.
But here’s the truth: your body is not Amazon Prime.
It’s not going to “show up” in two days. Or two weeks. Or even two months. Pregnancy and childbirth were massive events for your body — it’s going to take time, patience, and consistency to heal and change.
👉 What to do instead:
- Set realistic expectations. Progress takes time — think months, not weeks.
- Give yourself grace. Your body literally grew a human. That’s incredible. Be proud of it, not frustrated with it.
- Focus on consistency, not perfection. Showing up imperfectly but consistently will get you far better results than chasing quick fixes.
When you start thinking long-term, the pressure eases. You stop being disappointed by “only” losing a pound this week and start celebrating the fact that you’re moving in the right direction.
2. Her Progress Is Not Your Progress
Let’s be honest — comparison is easier than ever. With Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, you can see what every other mom is doing, what they look like, and how fast they seem to be “snapping back.”
And that’s where discouragement sets in.
👉 Here’s the truth: her progress is not your progress.
That mom’s circumstances are not your circumstances. She may have different genetics, support systems, time availability, or even editing apps on her side.
👉 What to do instead:
- Stop comparing. The only person you should ever measure yourself against is the person you were yesterday.
- Celebrate your own wins. Did you walk for 20 minutes today? That’s progress. Did you choose veggies over chips? Progress.
- Unfollow triggers. If certain accounts make you feel worse instead of better, it’s okay to mute or unfollow.
Remember: your journey is unique. Comparing it to someone else’s is like comparing apples to pineapples.
3. All or Something (Not All or Nothing)
Before kids, maybe you had 90 minutes to work out. You could hit the gym, lift, do cardio, stretch, and still have time for a smoothie.
Now? You’re lucky if you get 15 minutes before someone needs a snack, a diaper change, or a ride to practice.
And here’s the trap: many moms think, “If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all.” That “all or nothing” mindset is one of the biggest barriers to progress.
👉 The fix? All or SOMETHING.
- Don’t have 90 minutes? Do 30.
- Can’t do a full workout? Do 10 minutes of movement.
- Can’t eat three balanced meals? Make one really solid, healthy choice.
Something is always better than nothing. Consistency with small wins adds up to massive progress over time.
4. Every Mom Needs to Rehab After Pregnancy
This one is non-negotiable.
Your pregnancy was essentially a slowly progressing 9-month “injury” (stretching, shifting, weakening) that ended with one major event — delivery.
If you had a knee surgery, would you just jump back into running marathons six weeks later? Of course not! You’d go through rehab first.
Yet most moms get cleared at six weeks postpartum and jump straight back into planks, crunches, or intense cardio. That often leads to setbacks, injury, or frustration.
👉 What to do instead:
- Prioritize core and pelvic floor rehab. This is the foundation. Without it, everything else is harder.
- Progress gradually. As your deep core strengthens, you can safely layer in harder exercises.
- Make rehab a non-negotiable. It doesn’t matter if it’s been six weeks or six years since delivery — it’s never too late to rebuild your foundation.
When you rehab first, you’ll be amazed at how much stronger and more capable you feel — and how much faster progress comes when your body is truly ready.
The Plan That Brings It All Together
These four mindset shifts can change everything about your postpartum fitness journey.
And here’s the best part: you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
I built the Mommy Tummy Fix app to give you the exact roadmap you need:
- A full postpartum core rehab program to heal and strengthen your abs.
- At-home cardio workouts designed for fat burning and energy.
- A simple, sustainable nutrition plan to make eating easier, not harder.
- Coaching and support so you stay consistent.
This is the same system that helped my wife, Camille, close a 4-finger ab separation and regain her strength and confidence. It’s also helped thousands of moms just like you.
Final Thoughts
Motherhood changes everything. And while your fitness journey may not look like it did before pregnancy, that doesn’t mean you can’t make progress.
Stop chasing “Amazon Prime” results.
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Start celebrating small wins.
And never skip your rehab.
You are strong. You are capable. And with the right plan, you will see results.
Have an amazing week, mama — and always remember…
Make it happen,
Jared
P.S. Camille struggled for years after our fourth child until she started following this exact plan. Click here to read her story — it will inspire you.
