Millions of people adore Ashley Graham due to her support of the female form and her openness regarding motherhood.
However, it has taken her months to talk about how having baby boys has affected her body image and self-confidence.
She spills everything in this incredibly personal essay as she presents her first postpartum lingerie collection.
Ashley Graham is an international modeling icon, having graced the covers of top magazines from Vogue to Sports Illustrated.
The model and mother-of-three welcomed her twin boys, Malachi and Roman, on January 7- whom she shares with her husband, Justin Ervin.
Recently, she’s made headlines for her post-pregnancy body, and a new Spanx campaign features a nude Ashley Graham for being the first plus-size model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit.
How Ashley Graham Embraced Her Post-Pregnancy Body
Ashley Graham, a plus-size model, and body positivity advocate, recently welcomed her first child into the world.
Since then, the mother of three boys has been sharing pictures of her post-pregnancy body on Instagram, which is incredible.
Let’s take a closer look at how Ashley’s journey inspires so many women to embrace their post-baby bodies.
The Road To Self-Love
Ashley has always promoted body positivity and self-love—so it was no surprise that when she became pregnant, she celebrated her changing form with photos on Instagram.
She also opened up about some physical changes she experienced during pregnancy, like stretch marks and a swollen belly button.
But her completely honest posts weren’t meant to draw attention to any flaws; they were meant to empower other women who may be going through similar situations by showing that beauty comes in all forms and sizes!
“I’ve learned it’s okay if the journey to love the skin you’re in is more complex than you could ever have imagined,” she added. “Even now, if I’m sincere, I go in waves. I am still not entirely comfortable in my body, no matter my own body positivity advocacy.” But, she says, “I am bold, I am brilliant, I am beautiful… we all are.” “The aftermath was deeply overwhelming,” she explained.
“I work in an industry that expects me to return to work in a body that has ‘snapped back’ – a pressure that no woman, in any industry, deserves to feel. I have always fought against unfair and unrealistic standards, and yet, if I am being sincere, here I was, expecting myself to snap back and fast.”
“Because it was my second pregnancy, I started showing early, and we were excited. But at the end of February, I had a miscarriage.” “I’ve not shared this until now, but I fell pregnant in January of 2021, on my husband’s birthday,” she wrote on Friday. Graham called the loss “devastating,” adding, “It felt like one of the biggest losses I had ever experienced.”
We love to see celebs speaking honestly about body confidence and reaffirming what we all should know by now: No matter what your body looks like on the outside, you’re beautiful just the way you are.
Ashley Graham’s Post-Pregnancy Transformation
After giving birth to twins, Ashley Graham has taken the time to embrace her post-pregnancy transformation. She’s shared pictures of herself in lingerie and swimwear, looking just as beautiful and confident as ever.
The Power Of Representation
Ashley’s openness about her postpartum body resonates with many women because it represents a new wave of celebrity moms embracing their post-pregnancy bodies in all their glory.
This representation is essential because it helps normalize different bodies and shapes after having children.
It helps us break away from the narrow beauty standards ingrained in our society for so long. It also serves as a reminder that motherhood isn’t just about being skinny or perfect; it’s about loving yourself and your body for all its imperfections.
According to PEOPLE, the supermodel also shared more about her life as a new mom, saying that sharing a part of her life and what she’s experienced — whether it’s breastfeeding or pregnancy or postpartum hair loss, whatever it may be – is the right thing to do.
Graham has also documented her lactation issues on Instagram, expressing how learning to breastfeed for the second time was ‘overwhelming.’
Body Positivity Movement
Ashley is one of many celebrities using their platform to promote body positivity in recent years.
This movement encourages people to embrace their bodies—no matter their shape or size—and celebrate themselves instead of comparing themselves to others.
This kind of positive reinforcement is especially important for new mothers whose bodies have gone through significant changes following pregnancy and childbirth.
The movement has helped build an inclusive community for women (and men!) who want to embrace their unique beauty without fear or shame.
Ashley Graham’s Post-Pregnancy Diet
The secret to Ashly Graham’s post-pregnancy success seems to be her diet. While pregnant, she followed a strict vegan diet to ensure she and her baby got all the necessary nutrients.
Ashley Graham, after giving birth, switched up her routine and began eating more plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, and tofu.
She also cut out processed foods and sugar to reduce inflammation in her body.
Ashley Graham’s Post-Pregnancy Exercise Routine
In addition to following a healthy diet, Ashley Graham also follows an intense workout routine four days per week.
Her workouts consist of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which includes running on a treadmill or elliptical machine for 30 minutes, followed by strength training exercises such as squats and lunges with weights.
She also does yoga twice weekly to stay flexible and balanced throughout her body.
Ashley Graham’s Mental Health Journey
Along with exercising and following a strict diet, she also focuses on her mental health.
She has said that being present at the moment with him during feedings and diaper changes is one of the most important aspects of motherhood for her right now.
Additionally, she has started meditating daily to stay focused on what matters most—her health and well-being and that of her son.
Conclusion
Ashley Graham inspires millions with her honest account of postpartum life on Instagram. Her message is simple yet powerful—embrace your body exactly as it is!
Throughout her journey into motherhood, Ashley is helping other women feel more comfortable about their post-pregnancy bodies and encouraging them to prioritize self-care during this life-changing time.
Especially since so many other mothers face the same challenges she does, Ashley Graham is a great role model for all parents out there.
