Ashley James has spoken about how she is full of self love for her post-partum figure, two weeks after given birth to her son Alfie Rivers.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, and DJ welcomed her first child with boyfriend Tom Andrews on January 9, and said giving birth was more difficult than the two marathons she has run.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Ashley proudly showed off her physique as she posed in black lingerie and spoke about how she has been fascinated by how her body has changed.
Grateful: Ashley James has spoken about how she is full of self love for her post-partum figure, two weeks after given birth to her son Alfie Rivers.
Ashley wrote: ‘It’s 2 weeks and 3 days since I gave birth now, and I’m slowly starting to come back into the real world, and back online.
‘I mentioned I’ve been fascinated with my body since falling pregnant, and equally as mesmerised by it since giving birth.
‘Watching it grow and having people tell you constantly you glow, to then seeing what it was capable of during childbirth, and then watching it heal and deflate, where suddenly you’re no longer told you ‘glow’ and the conversation centres around whether or not you want to bounce back or not (with judgement on either side).
Changes: In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Ashley proudly showed off her physique as she posed in black lingerie
Grown in confidence: The television personality compared her post-partum figure to a photo of herself in 2014 of when she was ‘at my skinniest and most toned (pictured)
Discussion: ‘I mentioned I’ve been fascinated with my body since falling pregnant, and equally as mesmerised by it since giving birth,’ Ashley said
‘I’ve loved my post birth body so far… I mean, now the stitches have almost healed and it doesn’t hurt to go to the loo. But I mean, I’m just in awe of how it’s adapted, and I actually think I look cute.’
Ashley said she feels good about herself because she is full of self love and body confidence.
The television personality compared her post-partum figure to a photo of herself in 2014 of when she was ‘at my skinniest and most toned’.
Ashley said she had become obsessed with the gym after a bad break-up.
She continued: ‘I was miserable and I remember before this event I had a total panic attack because I felt I looked horrible. It took 3 friends to get me dressed and reassure me. I had no self esteem and you can see how self conscious I was in my face and body language.
‘Sexiness, body confidence, and more importantly happiness doesn’t come with a shape, size, or diet. I wish I knew that back then.
New mum: The former Made In Chelsea star welcomed her first child with Tom on January 9, and said giving birth was more difficult than the two marathons she has run
‘But when I started the self love journey I didn’t believe I’d ever really feel happy or confident, but I persevered. I mean, it’s like slowly brainwashing yourself, but in the most positive way, but it works.’
It is not the first time that Ashley has reflected on her postpartum body, as she previously opened up about how her figure has changed since giving birth.
She said she felt ‘liberated’ and ‘fascinated’ seeing how her body has changed since welcoming her baby boy as she shared candid snaps of her postpartum body.
Welcome addition: But Ashley recently admitted she might not have had a baby had it not been for the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic
Ashley also revealed that she’s planning to take pills made from her placenta after giving birth to her baby son with her boyfriend Tom.
Speaking about how motherhood has changed her, Ashley told HELLO! magazine: ‘I love being a mum. Every day I love him more. Before he came along, I suffered from anxiety, but now I feel calm and content, as if I was made to be a mum.
‘I’ve run two marathons, but giving birth is harder. I was in labour for 18 hours, but Tommy was with me all the way, holding my hand. And when Alfie finally emerged, it was amazing.
‘I used to think that I didn’t want children. Now I can’t imagine not wanting a baby or being without him.’
Ashley admitted she might not have had a baby had it not been for the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
