Katie Sorensen on The Truth About Postpartum Bodies, Imperfect Return to Wellness

My sweet daughter was born six weeks before I graduated from Nurse Practitioner school. We were beyond excited to welcome her—and in the weeks leading up to her birth, I was cramming months of clinicals, coursework, and hospital shifts into a fraction of the time, determined to finish before she arrived.

In my naïve, first-time-mum mind, I thought the stress and survival mode would slow once she arrived. Ha! The truth was, her arrival rocked our world in the most beautiful and challenging ways. Addy was medically complex, eventually diagnosed with a rare allergic disorder called FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome). For years, she could safely eat only three to five foods. Until she grew out of it around age three, her primary nourishment came from my breast milk—while I worked nearly full-time as a newly qualified NP.

The stress, combined with the physical demands of breastfeeding, whittled me down to the thinnest I had ever been—so much so that people close to me began to worry. Fast forward three years: my son was born, and this time, I experienced the opposite struggle—difficulty losing postnatal weight. The same body that was once too thin now felt unfamiliar, weighed down not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I carried the weight of judgement, both real and imagined, from long-time patients and colleagues who had seen me through all the seasons of my childbearing years. I knew what to do, in theory. I had the knowledge. But that wasn’t enough to move me into action. The pressure to “bounce back” left me feeling ashamed and frustrated.

I used to believe I had to wait for the “right time” to focus on my health—more sleep, fewer responsibilities, a calmer season. But the truth is, that perfect moment never comes. What I didn’t realise was that not starting was actually creating more pain and turmoil than starting imperfectly ever could.

The results came when I made the shift from self-criticism to self-compassion. That’s when I began the process of loving myself back to health and wellness.

Three mindset questions that guided me forward:

What would the healthiest version of me choose today?

What habit can I stick with, even on my worst days?

How can I treat my body with gratitude, nourishment, or respect right now?

I realised my success wouldn’t come from being rigid or intense. I didn’t need perfection—I needed progress. I needed consistency. Asking myself these questions—over and over—helped me build momentum and stay the course.

By simply starting—messy, tired, and overwhelmed—I quietened my inner critic and preserved the mental energy I used to waste planning and procrastinating. By showing up for myself imperfectly and consistently, I began to trust myself again. And that trust became fuel.

Over time, I learned:

• There is no one-size-fits-all diet or lifestyle.

• Health is about so much more than the number on the scale.

• Small, messy, yet consistent steps can lead to profound transformation.

So here’s a loving reminder: Step forward. Step up. Just one simple, messy step at a time. For you, and for your family.

Because when a mother’s health improves, the health of her entire family often follows. And the ripple effect from your example and efforts may shape your children’s lifelong health and wellness.

You deserve to find a lifestyle rhythm that works for you and your family. The healthiest version of you isn’t some far-off fantasy—she’s within reach.