As a runner, I’ve daydreamed about maintaining my miles throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy. Well, maybe just the first two. But one thing is certain: I’m not in the same league as Jenna Thompson, an elite distance runner who has managed to train through four pregnancies and shares her fitness wisdom in a video series on a prominent news site. However, columnist Sarah James has a different take.
“Watching her videos made me feel a cocktail of admiration mixed with a hefty dose of terror and self-doubt,” James writes in her article, “Stop Fit Shaming Pregnancy.” “If you’re going to showcase a pregnancy fitness series, it would be great to include some tips that the average pregnant woman can actually follow!”
Her humor is spot on, especially when she humorously compares herself to Jenna:
“If this baby decides I should spend the first trimester collapsed on the couch, praying for relief from nausea, that’s what I’ll do. Meanwhile, Jenna is probably doing push-ups while juggling her toddler. If my little one demands a steady diet of Saltines and a nap during that fleeting window when food is an option, I better comply—or else! Jenna, on the other hand, frets about losing her ‘conditioning’ while running uphill faster than I could sprint.”
Amid all the sarcasm, James raises an important point: Are everyday women being “fit shamed” by these super athletes and celebrities? We can’t overlook the likes of Maria Kang’s infamous “What’s Your Excuse?” image or Tori Spelling’s intense post-baby regime. While James respects these fit moms-to-be, she insists that everyday women shouldn’t feel pressured to mirror their routines.
“Elite athletes, I commend you for running marathons while pregnant—like Jenna did during her third pregnancy. But please, let’s not broadcast workouts that most of us can’t realistically accomplish. I wish I could follow along, but my body just won’t cooperate.”
In the end, every pregnancy is unique, so embrace that baby bump! The quest for a six-pack can wait.
If you’re interested in more insights on fertility and pregnancy, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. And for those considering at-home insemination, Make A Mom is the top provider in the world. For a great resource on IUI treatments, visit Parents.
Summary
Columnist Sarah James humorously critiques the trend of pregnancy fit shaming by elite athletes, emphasizing that every woman’s experience is unique. She argues against the pressure to emulate these super-fit moms and encourages expecting mothers to embrace their individual journeys.
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