It’s 8 a.m. I’m four weeks postpartum, lacing up my shoes for a brisk two-mile walk. My muscles ache. My baby didn’t sleep the night before. The scale hasn’t moved in days. And yet—I keep going.
Because I know this is a slow burn.
What struck me recently is that this postpartum weight loss journey feels a lot like building a business from the ground up. Both are quiet, steady commitments. Both require belief before results. And both test your patience, discipline, and mindset more than your skill.
In this post, I want to walk you through the deep parallels between postpartum recovery, weight loss, and entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by slow progress—whether in your body, your business, or both—this is for you.
Showing Up Before It Works
Why Consistency Matters More Than Results
One of the hardest lessons about postpartum weight loss is that you don’t always see the impact right away. You eat better. You move your body. You stay consistent. And still—the mirror and the scale don’t show dramatic results.
The same thing happens when you’re building a business. You’re writing content no one sees. You’re creating products no one buys (yet). You’re showing up on social media to what feels like an empty room.
It’s frustrating, discouraging, and lonely.
But here’s the truth: momentum doesn’t come from instant gratification—it comes from consistency.
Every walk you take postpartum, every 10-minute strength session, every meal that fuels your healing—it all adds up, even if you can’t see it yet.
Every blog post, every email to your tiny list, every product launch that only sells two copies—it all builds the foundation for future growth.
Practical Tip:
Track your effort, not just your results. In postpartum weight loss, log your workouts or keep a “movement streak.” In business, keep a list of daily actions you took. You’ll start to notice that progress sneaks up on you—one small win at a time.
Reinvention—It’s Not About “Getting Back”
The Myth of “Getting Your Body Back”
One of the most harmful messages new moms hear is: “When will you get your body back?”
But postpartum isn’t about getting your old body back—it’s about learning how to care for the one you have now. Your body has done something miraculous. It deserves respect, patience, and new rhythms of care.
And entrepreneurship is the same.
Building a business isn’t about “getting back” to who you were before. It’s about stepping into someone new:
● A leader.
● A creator.
● A problem-solver.
● A resilient, capable woman with something valuable to offer the world.
Growth demands reinvention. Both postpartum weight loss and entrepreneurship will change you forever.
Practical Tip:
Instead of focusing on “back,” ask yourself: Who am I becoming? Write down qualities you want to grow into. Maybe it’s discipline, resilience, creativity, or patience. Let those values anchor your journey.
You’ll Want to Quit (But Don’t)
The Reality of Discouragement
Let’s be real: there will be days you want to throw in the towel.
Days you cry in the closet because your jeans don’t fit.
Days you wonder if the exhaustion is worth it.
Days when the scale or your sales dashboard feels like it’s mocking you.
This is the hardest part of the postpartum weight loss and business journey: the middle.
But if you quit—if you only measure your worth by outcomes—you miss the miracle happening in you.
Every effort, every repetition, every tiny act of faith is planting seeds. Just because you can’t see them sprouting doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Think about it: you don’t dig up a seed just because it hasn’t sprouted in three days. You water it. You nurture it. You trust the process.
Practical Tip:
When you want to quit, zoom out. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” ask, “What am I building long-term?” Sometimes the only metric you need is: Did I show up today?
Progress Isn’t Linear
Postpartum Weight Loss Plateaus
In postpartum weight loss, some weeks the pounds fall off. Other weeks the scale doesn’t budge. Sometimes you even gain a little back.
In business growth, some months you hit record sales. Other months you feel like you’re back at square one.
Progress isn’t a straight line. It’s a messy graph full of learning curves, dips, plateaus, and spikes.
But here’s the key: every step forward, even the imperfect ones, still counts.
Every walk counts. Every salad counts. Every blog post counts. Every customer counts. Every attempt to refine your strategy counts.
You are not behind. You are becoming.
Mindset Is Everything
Believing Before You See Results
Both postpartum weight loss and entrepreneurship test your mindset more than your muscles or your skills.
● Do you believe results are possible even when you can’t see them?
● Do you believe small steps matter?
● Do you believe you’re worth the effort?
For moms, it’s easy to put everyone else first. But your healing matters. Your strength matters. Your joy matters.
For entrepreneurs, it’s easy to give up when growth feels slow. But your vision matters. Your work matters. Your voice matters.
This is why the phrase “slow burn” is so powerful. It reminds us that transformation isn’t about speed—it’s about sustainability.
Practical Tip:
Create affirmations that align both journeys. For example:
● “My effort compounds daily.”
● “I am becoming stronger every day.”
● “I trust the process, even when it feels slow.”
Support Systems Make Growth Possible
Why Moms Need Postpartum Support
One of the biggest reasons women struggle with postpartum weight loss is that they try to do it alone. Without support, accountability, or encouragement, the journey feels overwhelming.
The same is true in business building. Trying to scale a business in isolation is exhausting. You need mentors, communities, and people who cheer you on when things feel impossible.
Practical Tip:
Ask: Who’s in your corner? Find a postpartum support group, a fitness buddy, or a coach. In business, join a mastermind, hire a mentor, or build a network. Support accelerates growth.
Discipline Beats Motivation
Motivation is fickle. Some mornings you wake up energized, ready to lace up your sneakers. Other days, you’d rather stay under the covers.
The same goes for business—you’ll have bursts of creative energy followed by days you don’t want to open your laptop.
That’s why discipline matters more than motivation. Discipline keeps you walking when motivation isn’t there. Discipline keeps you posting, emailing, creating, and showing up when no one’s clapping.
And discipline, over time, creates results.
Practical Tip:
Pair discipline with systems. Lay out workout clothes the night before. Batch your content creation. Automate what you can. Remove as many barriers as possible so your habits stick.
Identity Shift—The True Transformation
Perhaps the biggest similarity between postpartum recovery and entrepreneurship is the identity shift.
You’re no longer the woman you were before. You’re not “just” a new mom. You’re not “just” a side hustler. You are becoming someone entirely new.
And with every pound lost, every mile walked, every customer served, every product launched—you’re proving to yourself that you can do hard things.
That identity shift is where the magic happens.
Practical Tip:
Journal your transformation. Write letters to yourself about who you’re becoming. Record videos, even if just for yourself. One day, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come.
Why the Slow Burn Is Worth It
Both journeys—losing postpartum weight and building a business—can feel painfully slow.
But the slow burn is what makes the transformation real.
Fast weight loss often rebounds. Fast business growth often collapses.
But the slow burn? That builds roots. That builds sustainability. That builds a foundation that lasts.
Practical Tip:
Reframe slow progress as strong progress. The longer it takes to build, the deeper the roots grow. And the deeper the roots, the higher the growth can go.
Conclusion: You’re Not Behind. You’re Becoming.
Both postpartum weight loss and business-building demand patience, grace, and grit. They stretch you, strip away your comfort zones, and ask you to trust the process when the proof isn’t obvious.
But the woman you’re becoming through the slow burn?
She’s powerful.
She’s focused.
She’s unstoppable.
So if you’re in the thick of it—aching, doubting, rebuilding—this is your reminder: Keep going.
You’re not behind. You’re becoming.
About the Author
Marcy Gardner is the crochet designer behind Simply Hooked, where she creates beginner-friendly amigurumi patterns that help makers of all skill levels create adorable, giftable plushies.
With over 13 years of crochet experience, Marcy has taught hundreds of crocheters through her patterns, kits, and online courses.
