Bangs Garcia On Fit Mom Bod: 'It's Not Magic, It's Discipline'

Valerie "Bangs" Garcia has been advocating for body positivity and self-confidence among mothers, ever since she got pregnant and gave birth to her first child with Lloydi Birchmore in 2017.

That's why the former sexy actress didn't have to explain herself when she shared a photo of her wearing a bikini for her New Year's day post on Instagram. While some praised her for her fit mom bod, some netizens took it negatively, and said that she's a show off.

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A post shared by Valerie Garcia-Birchmore (@valeriebangsgarcia)

Bangs Garcia addresses bashers of her bikini pic

In a post on January 16, the mom of two who is based in United Kingdom addressed the bashers, clarified the objective of her post, which is to inspire and not to brag.

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A post shared by Valerie Garcia-Birchmore (@valeriebangsgarcia)

"This post is to enlighten all of you that my main goal has ALWAYS been to inspire people, especially mums; otherwise I’d be a miserable person now who’s despised by my friends & family as bragging isn’t the principle they have instilled in me. Be reminded that every person’s different, our realities are different," she wrote.

 It’s not magic, it’s discipline. It took me ages to have the confidence to wear a bikini again." 

—Bangs Garcia

Bangs delivered her first child Amelia via Caesarean section in 2017, and again to Isabella in 2020. She added, "If you zoom in my photos, you’ll clearly see that my tummy isn’t the way it used to be but as I’ve said, I’ve finally come to terms with it. Btw, it looks worse in person w/o good lighting & when not sucking in my tummy. Plus, I do try my best to take care of myself. It’s not magic, it’s discipline. It took me ages to have the confidence to wear a bikini again."

She reminds people who have negative comments on her to send her a private message, instead of posting it publicly.

Her post drew praises from her followers, saying, "Kasi nga may mga bagay na gusto nila i-achieve sa sarili nila pero sa di nila magawa at pag nakita nila yon sa iba, booommm! Pasok mga inggitera!" 

How to advocate for your own mom body

I admit, after giving birth via Caesarean section, seeing photos of moms who have gained their pre-pregnancy body back give off a feeling of insecurity, "Bakit ako, losyang?" Or "Sana all may time mag-work out." These feelings may be valid, but it doesn't give us the right to shame others, especially our fellow moms.

Here are some tips on how you can embrace your own mom bod and advocate for it:

1. Listen to your body.

As Bangs said, every person is different, and our realities our different. There are moms who are able to start working out after getting cleared by their OB-Gyne, while there are moms who need to wait for a bit more to let their body heal. Instead of comparison, let's practice compassion for our bodies. It went through a lot, you carried a human being in your body for nine months, and that's more than enough reason to let your body go through its course, and heal. There's no need to rush, and as Smart Parenting cover star Sheena Halili said, "Babangon ka din, girl."

2. Keep your mental health in check.

Sometimes, our feelings of insecurity and hopelessness for our own bodies are due to unmet needs. If, after giving birth, you feel like you are no longer yourself when it comes to commenting on other people's posts, you might want to consider seeking professional help. There are online communities like Smart Parenting Village Facebook group for a support system, and apps like Beacon where you can get access to accredited therapists, counselors, and experts who can help you.

Bangs herself opened up about experiencing postpartum depression after giving birth to her second child amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Speak to your doctor.

Usually, new moms are advised to see their OB-Gyne for their first postpartum check-up at 6 weeks. If you feel like you want to consult with your doctor earlier, then do it. It helps when you communicate with your doctor your postpartum needs because they can offer a solution that fits you. Don't just follow what you read online or watch on TikTok or YouTube. And if you feel like your OB-Gyne isn't very supportive with what your goals are, feel free to look for another one. With their consent, you may also start looking for a postpartum coach, who can help you address your body concerns properly.

In conclusion, embracing your postpartum body is a personal journey that requires self-compassion, understanding, and patience. Bangs Garcia's advocacy for body positivity among mothers serves as a reminder that every woman's experience is unique, and comparison should be replaced with empathy and support. In her words, "The world’s already filled with too much negativity so why contribute to it?"

Source: The Mom Project