In recent years, Carrie Underwood has been nearly as well known for her toned body and legs as for her smash country anthems. But as she shared in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, March 19, she’s been having trouble exercising after baby No. 2.
“I’m going to be honest, ‘bouncing back’ after having Jacob has been much more difficult than after I had Isaiah and I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately,” she wrote on Instagram. “I go into the gym and I can’t run as fast or as far. I can’t lift as much weight or do as many reps as I could a year ago. I just want to feel like myself again…for my body to feel the way that I know it can.”
Underwood welcomed her second baby, son Jacob Bryan, with husband Mike Fisher on January 23. They also share 4-year-old son Isaiah.
Her trainer, Erin Oprea, told Us Weekly in February that the singer was not yet back to her training regimen. “Not yet, not yet. She’s not back at it yet. It’s too soon still,” Oprea said. “It’s mom time right now. It’s mom time, mom time. And it’s an adjustment to two kids! But it won’t be long.” Oprea stressed that she would let Underwood lead the way at her own pace when she did restart her routine. “I don’t know exactly what her goal is going to be when she gets back, but we’ll see. It will depend on how she’s feeling,” said the pro.
Long dedicated to her intense workouts, the Calia by Carrie Underwood designer lamented the pain of feeling she was out of control of her own body through pregnancy and post-baby. “As I was working out today, I realized that for the past 11(ish) months, my body has not belonged to me,” she continued in her post. “It was a perfect home for Jacob. And even now it belongs to him every time he drinks his milk.”
For now, the 36-year-old Grammy winner — who slimmed down significantly after winning season 4 of American Idol — is trying to maintain the best attitude she can. “As I prepare for red carpets and for life on tour, right now I make a promise to myself to start appreciating what my body CAN do and stop focusing on what it can’t. I promise to stop analyzing every angle and every curve and every pound and every meal,” wrote the vegan singer.
“I’m going to keep staying the path because it is a journey and as long as I’m always working towards my goals, one day I’ll reach them. I’m going to take it day by day, smile at the girl in the mirror, and work out because I love this body and all it has done and will continue to do!”
With reporting by Carly Sloane
