The Only Way is Essex star Georgia Kousoulou has hit out at new mums who quickly bounce back into shape after giving birth.
New mum Georgia, 30, shot to fame after joining the cast of the phenomenally popular reality series in 2014. Since then, she's gone on to release her own swimwear range and fronts her own spin-off show with fiancé Tommy Mallet, Georgia and Tommy: Baby Steps.
Last May, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Brody. Like many new mums, Georgia felt the pressure to look the way she did before her pregnancy and confessed she used to break down when looking at her post-pregnancy figure in the mirror.
Stretch marks and a c-section scar are common after-effects of giving birth and sadly, many people feel the need to hide them but Georgia vehemently disagrees with this stance. Now, the mum-of-one is proud of her postnatal body and all that it represents.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, the reality star confessed she felt "shocked" after leaving hospital with her pregnancy belly still in tact before being told not to worry and that she'd "snap back". Georgia utilised her massive social media presence to share honest and inspirational photos of her body.
She said: "When I came out of hospital I still had a pregnant belly and that shocked me, because everyone said, ‘Oh you’ll snap back'. I didn’t snap back at all – I had a full-on belly and I was so swollen.
"Then I decided to do a post with my belly out in just my bra and knickers. I was so nervous I texted Tommy asking if I should post it, and he said just do it, so I did, and it helped me and so many other mums.
“I mean, who else is doing that on Instagram? No-one. I am so sick of seeing girls with six packs straight after birth. It’s not realistic and I don’t want to see it. Going to the gym isn’t my priority. I’ve raised a child for a year, let’s celebrate that.
"My whole body changed – I’ve got my C-section scar and stretch marks – but I have grown a human so you’ve got to give yourself some slack. We’re just surviving, let’s be real.”
The Essex star's honesty and genuine insight into motherhood has proved popular among her following, with her original Instagram post showcasing her body eight weeks after giving birth racking up almost half a million likes and heaps of comments. Many new parents thanked her for the post, with some revealing it made them feel better.
In line with her trademark honesty, Georgia recently opened up about how her secret battle with postnatal depression left her in a "dark place". The TOWIE alum explained she felt guilt and shame when didn't feel the instant intense love she had been told by others she would experience after giving birth.
The reality star's son celebrated his first birthday on May 5, with Georgia and Tommy pulling out all the stops for an extravagant birthday bash. The lengthy guest list were treated to a lavish spread of sweet and savoury treats, while children were entertained with soft play areas including ball pits and slides, as well as a mini petting zoo with baby animals.
In February of this year, Tommy and Georgia confirmed they were engaged. The couple are due to marry abroad next year.
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