Fitness Influencer Shares Her Struggle with Body Acceptance Post-Baby

Revie Jane Schulz documented her fit pregnancy on her Instagram page, and when it came time to share photos of her post-baby body, the Australian fitness influencer decided to be honest with her 138k followers.

Schulz, 25, readily admitted that embracing her “mum bod” has been a process.

“I like to be honest with my followers so that they know everybody has their demons and they are not alone,” she tells PEOPLE.

“From speaking to my other mummy friends, so many of them felt the same or went through similar emotions post birth,” she continues. “Many said that they felt isolated and didn’t want to seem ‘vain’ when speaking about their bodies with a negative demeanor. It is so common to go through body image struggles post baby; the more we speak about it, the less alone women will feel and I think that is really important.”

Schulz says that looking back, she had “unrealistic” expectations about what her postpartum body would look like.

“I don’t know what I was expecting,” she says. “Initially, I kept redirecting my focus to my precious newborn, but there comes a time where you must address these body issues. It was difficult to admit that I was struggling with body acceptance post baby, for many reasons, but especially because you don’t want to seem ungrateful.”

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The new mom has been embracing her changed figure through positive affirmations.

“Every day when I would look in the mirror, I would say something kind about my body instead of something negative,” says Schulz. “I changed my focus and perspective of my body from how it looked to what it created. I am a breastfeeding mama also, so after I shifted my thought process I found pride and empowerment in my body. I find a lot of self respect through physical exercise and that has really helped me mentally through these struggles.”

Schulz says sharing her journey with her followers has been fulfilling.

“By sharing my own personal struggles, it has helped women internationally cope with their own battles,” she says. “I feel united with women from New York, Dubai and Ireland, and receive heartwarming messages from them daily. I love sharing empowering messages with women.”