Anna Strode, 32, shot to fame after showing off her incredible abs just nine months after giving birth to twin boys.
The Melbourne-based mother wowed her 57,000 Instagram followers as she transformed her figure with simple 20 minute workouts that could be incorporated into daily life.
But despite inspiring thousands of mothers, Ms Strode has shared a video to prove that even she struggles with body confidence… despite knowing she shouldn’t.
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Proud mum: Anna Strode, 32, shot to fame after showing off her incredible abs just nine months after giving birth to twin boys
Glowing: The Melbourne-based mother wowed her 57,000 Instagram followers as she transformed her figure with simple 20 minute workouts
‘My body grew two babies. I have stretch marks and loose skin to tell the tale,’ Ms Strode wrote on Instagram on Tuesday evening.
‘You may think I’m confident about my body but in all honestly my mind plays tricks on me and says I’m disgusting, why should I let my mind have that control?
‘The world tells us to hide these flaws but let’s not let that be the way, these flaws gave us our babies so screw our minds, the worlds idea of “perfection” and Internet “comparison” – let’s unite as mamas and be proud of what we made.’
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Active: But despite inspiring thousands of mothers, Ms Strode has shared a video to prove that even she struggles to accept her post-baby figure sometimes
Not always confident: ‘My body grew two babies. I have stretch marks and loose skin to tell the tale,’ Ms Strode wrote on Instagram on Tuesday evening
Ms Strode concluded her post by saying that she would not let her ‘loose skin or stretch marks’ define her.
‘Mothers and friends is who we are and it’s time us mamas allowed ourselves to love our bodies for new life is what we gave.’
Ms Strode shared the words alongside a video where she is seen leaning over and pinching the skin on her stomach.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Strode said that while it was ‘scary’ to post something so honest, she knew it was important to empower other mums to embrace their postpartum bodies.
‘The world tells us to hide flaws’: ‘Let’s not let that be the way, these flaws gave us our babies so screw our minds, the worlds idea of “perfection” and Internet “comparison”,’ she said
Standing strong: Ms Strode concluded her post by saying that she would not let her ‘loose skin or stretch marks’ define her
‘People always comment on photos saying things like “body goals” and things like that but we all have flaws,’ Ms Strode said.
‘I wanted to connect and open up and encourage people to stop comparing themselves to others because the last thing I want to do is set unrealistic expectations for mothers.
‘Yes I train hard and work hard but I’m still changed. My body will never be the same and that’s okay.’
Empowering: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Strode said that while it was ‘scary’ to post something so honest, she knew it was important to empower other mums
In it together: ‘People always comment on photos saying things like “body goals” and things like that but we all have flaws,’ Ms Strode said
Ms Strode explained that while insecurities are normal, she reminds herself how lucky she is.
‘I felt pressure when I came out of hospital. I walked out and didn’t bounce back straight away and I was so confused because I had had a natural birth,’ she said.
‘I ended up giving myself nine months to get anywhere near back to normal but why would you want to go back to the way you were?
‘You may look back and wish you looked like you did before but you would never wish your children away would you? We created them, we created life and that has really helped me accept the changes.’
Nine months of hard work: ‘I felt pressure when I came out of hospital. I walked out and didn’t bounce back straight away and I was so confused because I had had a natural birth,’ she said
Dedicated: Ms Strode’s twins, Lachie and Samuel, are now almost one and a half and despite how big they are getting, she is still able to squeeze in her short daily workouts
Ms Strode’s twins, Lachie and Samuel, are now almost one and a half and despite how big they are getting, she is still able to squeeze in her short daily workouts.
‘I workout no longer than 20 minutes a day – I keep it short, quick and high-intensity,’ Ms Strode explained.
‘I start hard with high intensity so then even if I only get 10 minutes I know I’ve had a relatively good workout.
‘Things like doing squats in the kitchen, pushups where and when I can and getting out and about with the pram are all really helpful.’
Family fitness: ‘I workout no longer than 20 minutes a day – I keep it short, quick and high-intensity,’ Ms Strode explained
Ms Strode also breaks her workouts up by stopping at the park with her sons between pram walks, using her giggling sons as weights and running with them and doing squat jumps and lunges while they sit in their high chairs.
In April, Ms Strode explained that her workouts are as much for her wellbeing as they are for physical fitness.
‘What I want to get across is I do this to help my mind feel better. It’s not about the body. The body is a secondary result,’ she said.
‘I’m doing this to help me get through the sleepless nights and to help me face the day with positivity and energy.
Making time: ‘Things like doing squats in the kitchen, pushups where and when I can and getting out and about with the pram are all really helpful,’ she said
Making the most of it: Ms Strode often works out around the house while doing chores or putting her sons to bed
‘This is the fittest I’ve ever been in my life, honestly.’
Ms Strode, who is on maternity leave from a marketing manager role, hopes to motivate other mothers to make time for themselves amidst their hectic baby schedules, and has just completed her personal training studies.
‘My 20 minute workouts each day are my ‘me’ time,’ she said.
‘At the end of the day when I look back on all the dirty nappies I’ve changed, hours spent breastfeeding, endless loads of washing and folding and constant housework, I can remind myself that I still did something for me, and that feels really good.
‘When I get Samuel and Lachie involved and lift them up while doing squats, they crack up laughing. If they see me jumping, they start jumping and they laugh at each other.’