To Moms Struggling With Postpartum Weight, Isabelle Daza Gets You

Isabelle Daza gets real about postpartum body struggles—again.

The 37-year-old actress, model, entrepreneur, podcaster, and mom of three spoke once more from her heart about the realities mothers face after giving birth.

In a raw and unfiltered Instagram reel, Isabelle shared what she called "a postpartum journal entry to myself," offering a rare glimpse into her struggles and how she overcame her insecurities.

"I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but every time I want to tear myself down by hyper-focusing on my weight, I try to remember where I started," she said.

Isabelle revealed that she gained 70 pounds after her first pregnancy, 60 after pounds her second, and 50 pounds after her third. "I despised how I looked in photos. I bought a whole new set of clothes, trying to get back to my old body. Immediately covered myself up and edited my photos. I hated seeing how I looked in the mirror. I couldn't stand it," she admitted.

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A post shared by Isabelle Daza-Semblat (@isabelledaza)

Like many new moms, she tried various ways to lose weight. She went to the gym but couldn't last more than 20 minutes. She tried running, but would stop short of one kilometer.

"I was sad and angry. And the worst part? Seeing all my friends look so good. Losing myself because of the weight I gained. It sucks, trying to be the old me," she shared candidly.

What eventually helped her, Isabelle said, was breaking this down into small, manageable goals and taking it one day at a time. "Small goals like getting my steps in helped. Surrounding myself with people who lifted me up. People who believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. People who loved me even when I didn't think I deserved it."

She added, "One day at a time—showing up to do the work, being accountable, and being consistent. And lastly, thanking my body and loving myself for getting through this journey, every step of the way, one day at a time."

The video has garnered over one million views as of writing. 

Isabelle Daza inspires moms, non-moms to embrace fitness

In the comments section, her friends and followers commended her for sharing her vulnerable side.

Mom of five and fitness enthusiast Iya Villania Arellano agreed with Isabelle and said, "Yes. Just gotta keep showing up until one day you look back and realize how far you’ve already come."

Dani Barretto, mom of two, who has also been vocal about her postpartum insecurities, commented, "Ahhhh this made me cry. You look amazing, Belle!"

Isabelle also responded to a comment asking how she achieved her fit body. "Two times a week, strength training, Pilates, and walking every day for an hour. And taking fun cardio classes is good," she wrote.

For mothers who are also struggling with their postpartum weight and don't know where to begin, Isabelle's advice is simple: "Kaya mo yan. Walking muna."

Isabelle has been honest about her postpartum journey from the start. Back in 2019, after giving birth to her firstborn son Baltie, she opened up about her breastfeeding struggles and learning to accept her postpartum body. 

"My weight is really my issue," she said in a 2019 vlog. "I'm so effing huge, I can't even stand seeing myself. Every day I weigh myself, and I kinda feel bad."

But even then, she knew what it would take.

"It's all about the work you're willing to put in, focusing on your goal and not stopping until you reach it," she stressed in the same vlog from the same year. "It's really about consistency, hard work, and determination. If you want it that bad, then you have to be able to make sacrifices."

Isabelle has three children with Adrien Semblat: Baltie, 7; Valentin, 3; and Esmeralda, 2. 

Read Smart Parenting March 2025 cover story featuring Isabelle and her family here.