A mother-of-two who was told ‘pregnancy will ruin your body’ has dispelled the myth by posing with her six-pack of abs just over a year after giving birth to her youngest child.
Nicole Knight, who is based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, had her son Aspen at the age of 22 and daughter Zephi at 24, and distinctly remembers being cautioned about the effects pregnancy can have on your health by well-meaning passerbys.
“‘Pregnancy will ruin your body’… I remember hearing this every day before falling pregnant, I still do and I believed it completely,’ the now 26-year-old wrote in a post on Instagram.
Nicole Knight, who is based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, shared this image of herself to dispel the myth that pregnancy will ‘ruin’ your body
“‘Pregnancy will ruin your body’… I remember hearing this every day before falling pregnant, I still do and I believed it completely,’ the now 26-year-old wrote in a post on Instagram
‘I thought that I would never be fit or strong again. Well good news, even if despite your best intentions you didn’t have a fit pregnancy or didn’t always make the healthiest choices, it’s never too late to regain all that health and strength.’
Previously, Nicole told FEMAIL that she spends $150-$200 a week on prepping 22 meals as well as healthy snacks, nappies and baby formula for her family, so she can be accountable for her health.
‘Generally on Sundays I like to plan my meals and write a shopping list accordingly. I then either shop at a fruit and veg store, butchers, markets or your typical grocery store,’ she said.
‘Generally on Sundays I like to plan my meals and write a shopping list accordingly. I then either shop at a fruit and veg store, butchers, markets or your typical grocery store,’ she said
Her website currently has recipes for salmon patties, an Asian beef bowl and chicken pho, which are some of her favourite quick and easy meals to make
‘I either find recipes online or use my own. I divide the meals into containers once cooked and store them accordingly (fridge or freezer). Most meals last 3-4 days in the fridge depending on their contents,’ she said
‘Once home I write a list of what I need to do whilst prepping. I try to write this list in order, for example each element in the meals like cooking rice/pasta or preparing certain meats.
‘I either find recipes online or use my own. I divide the meals into containers once cooked and store them accordingly (fridge or freezer). Most meals last 3-4 days in the fridge depending on their contents.’
Her website currently has recipes for salmon patties, an Asian beef bowl and chicken pho, which are some of her favourite quick and easy meals to make.
Her Instagram post continued: ‘Is it a lot harder after having a baby? Hell yes, we’re tired, we’re unfit, we’ve got no time, but hey if we can bring a baby into the world we can do anything’
Her Instagram post continued: ‘Is it a lot harder after having a baby? Hell yes, we’re tired, we’re unfit, we’ve got no time, but hey if we can bring a baby into the world we can do anything.
‘Its true that pregnancy changes our bodies and we might never be the same again, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fit, healthy or stronger than it was before, and it sure as anything doesn’t mean it’s any less sexy or beautiful.’
Before falling pregnant Nicole would workout 3-5 times a week doing HIIT (high-intensity interval training), which she tried to continue as much as possible while pregnant.
‘Post-baby I waited until I got the all clear from my doctor at my six-week checkup to begin exercising again. Before I got the all clear I would still try to walk a couple times a week,’ she told FEMAIL
‘Post-baby I waited until I got the all clear from my doctor at my six-week checkup to begin exercising again. Before I got the all clear I would still try to walk a couple times a week,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘Exercise can do wonders for both physical health and your mental health. Even a quick 10-minute walk around the block can brighten up your day.’
While workouts have only been made harder by the coronavirus pandemic, Nicole has just released an eight-week fitness guide for her followers to download for free.
It includes some of the basic bodyweight exercises – like high knees, in and out squat pulses and plank toe touches – she draws on to keep her in peak physical condition.
‘It’s so important to give your body the love and adoration it deserves. Mummas, whether you delivered your baby yesterday or 10 years ago, let’s stop beating ourselves up,’ she continued in her main post.
‘For the sake of the humans we are raising who see how we see ourselves and watch how we treat ourselves, and out of the respect of our pregnancies and postpartum bodies of all shapes and sizes, let us be gentle with ourselves.
‘Remember to look at your reflection, see your beauty and remember all the amazing things your body is capable of. Love yourself now, while working towards your goals, and realise that you are capable of anything.’