Just 11 weeks after giving birth, Dancing with the Stars’ Witney Carson opened up about her history of being self-conscious about her body and how she’s learning to “celebrate” her body just the way it is now. Carson and her husband, Carson McAllister, welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Kevin Leo McAllister, on January 3.
On Saturday, the dance pro snapped a photo of herself wearing a sports bra and leggings and captioned the image with a body-positive and proud message. See the candid photos, read her positive message, and see what fans said below.
Witney Carson Is Reflecting on How She Perceives Her Own Body & What Changed Following the Birth of Her Son. See Her Photos and Read Her Inspiring Message Below.
In a gallery-style post on Instagram, the dancer shared an image of her from the front as well as one in profile. Along with the images, she wrote an uplifting message that all new moms struggling with their body image can take to heart.
“Progress not perfection ✨ being a dancer growing up & even throughout adulthood (especially throughout adulthood) I’ve always been self conscience [sic] about my weight and how I looked,” the new mom wrote.
“I’ve struggled with this & that’s why I was hesitant to post these photos – I didn’t feel I looked a certain way, ‘good enough’ & that was a sad thought to me,” elaborated the Mirrorball Trophy-winner.
“I’m learning to celebrate my body the way it is now and celebrate the small successes to a HEALTHY body, spirit, and mind,” Carson wrote in conclusion.
Fans of the entertainer flocked to leave comments telling Carson that she’s “Stunning,” “Beautiful,” and “Strong.”
“Thank you for the amazing, uplifting & sweet messages,” she replied after receiving the outpouring of love.
Carson’s best bud and fellow new mom Lindsay Arnold, who is also a DWTS pro, shared a sweet message on the post. “You are stunning wit and the best mama to little Leo,” Arnold said. “He is so lucky to have you.”
“You look SO incredible! Amazing that that body not too long ago made and brought beautiful and healthy Leo into this world!” said DWTS alum Nikki Bella, who welcomed son Matteo with her former dance partner Artem Chigvintsev.
RELATED: ‘DWTS’ Star Lindsay Arnold Gives Emotional Peek Into Her Baby Girl’s Birth
In February, Carson opened up about her post-pregnancy body after she said she discovered stretch marks on her body and “almost freaked out.”
“Just found stretch marks today on my body and almost freaked out… until I remembered that this body carried my baby & I should be proud of them!!” she said at the time.
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Replying to a supportive fan about feeling “beautiful with or without stretch marks,” Carson said, “Yes! I had stretch marks before pregnancy as well. Never was something I was embarrassed about. I guess when I found them the other day in a new spot I was emotional & in the process of accepting my new momma body. Again, I’m super proud of them & think they are a beautiful symbol pregnant or not.”
We are so thrilled that Carson is rethinking the way she’s herself and using her platform to describe feelings that many women and new moms experience postpartum and beyond. We are certain that her fans that are going or will go through similar experiences can return to Carson for support and solidarity.
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