Shay Mitchell wants women to “celebrate” their bodies after giving birth.
The ‘Pretty Little Liars’ alum welcomed her daughter, Atlas, into the world 19 months ago, and has admitted she didn’t feel like “herself” after she gave birth, because of the way her body looked.
And although she believes women should be allowed to be unhappy with their post-baby figures, she also wants to encourage more people to “celebrate” their bodies at “whatever point we feel our best again”.
She said: “Right after I had Atlas, if I ever made a comment about how I didn’t feel like myself, people were like, ‘Well, you just had a baby.’ Yeah, I know I just had a baby. I’m very grateful for my body, and that it gave life, but I’m still allowed to express that I don’t feel like myself.
“I was strong before I had Atlas, and I wanted to feel that way after. We celebrate our bodies before we’re pregnant; we celebrate our bodies with bumps. We should also celebrate our bodies at whatever point we feel our best again.”
READ: Actress Shay Mitchell Reveals She Named Her Baby Atlas Because Of Her Love Of Travel
Shay has been practicing deadlifting since welcoming her daughter, and is now able to lift an impressive 50 pounds.
She added: “Getting up to 50 pounds was a boss move. I was really proud of myself.”
The 34-year-old actress – who has her daughter with her boyfriend Matte Babel – has also been making career moves in recent months, such as founding the travel brand Beis and the tequila beverage company Onda.
And Shay says she’s keen to try a variety of different ventures in order to live her life to the fullest.
READ: Shay Mitchell Opens Up About The Joys And Struggles Of Motherhood
