Carrie Underwood Explains The Pressure To 'Bounce Back' After Having Her Second Baby
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Life Is Different With A Second Baby
Carrie Underwood welcomed her second son, Jacob, with husband Mike Fisher earlier this year, and the country star is opening up about how much harder it was for her body to bounce back. She had her first son, Isaiah, in 2015, and she told People that it was much easier getting back her famous figure then.
"After having my first kid [Isaiah, 4],I felt like I bounced back fast. And then with Jake, it was like my body took a minute to get back to me.It was frustrating, because I’m like, 'Why wasn’t it like the first time?'"
It's Harder To Bounce Back
While promoting her new activewear line CALIA, Underwood got real about the criticism that women face from the world, and themselves.
"But I’m four years older. That also helped me shift my mindset — I’m still working hard, wanting to be the best me possible, but cutting myself slack and just thinking, 'Be kind to yourself.' It’s amazing what we [women] do to ourselves. We’re probably all our toughest critics."
Underwood admitted that she was a little worried about the holidays and what that will do for her fitness routine.
Holiday Plans
Still, Underwood is optimistic that the Christmas season won't totally derail her fitness journey.
"I don’t like to call them ‘cheat days’ — you’re just enjoying life,. I feel like holiday time can be stressful when it comes to health and fitness, but it doesn’t have to be. You can just say, 'I’m going to enjoy myself on the holidays.'
It’s all about friends and family and food and parties, and indulging responsibly. And when New Year’s is over, get back on the horse. It’s like, 'Okay, I’ve had my holiday fun. Now it’s time to get back on my path.'"
Transparent About Body Pressure
This isn't the first time that Underwood has gotten real about body confidence. She posted a workout selfie in March, admitting her own struggles post-baby.
"I’m going to be honest, ‘bouncing back, after having Jacob has been much more difficult than after I had Isaiah and I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately. I go into the gym and I can’t run as fast or as far. I can’t lift as much weight or do as many reps as I could a year ago. I just want to feel like myself again...for my body to feel the way that I know it can.
As I was working out today, I realized that for the past 11(ish) months, my body has not belonged to me. It was a perfect home for Jacob. And even now it belongs to him every time he drinks his milk.
As I prepare for red carpets and for life on tour, right now I make a promise to myself to start appreciating what my body CAN do and stop focusing on what it can’t. I promise to stop analyzing every angle and every curve and every pound and every meal. I’m going to keep staying the path because it is a journey and as long as I’m always working towards my goals, one day I’ll reach them. I’m going to take it day by day, smile at the girl in the mirror, and work out because I love this body and all it has done and will continue to do!"
