The journey into motherhood often brings profound shifts in every aspect of a woman’s life, and fitness is no exception. For influencer Allison Kuch, welcoming her daughter, Scottie Bee, in 2023 profoundly altered her relationship with exercise, moving her focus from aesthetics to strength, well-being, and the joy of keeping up with her child. Kuch, 30, has openly shared her evolving perspective, navigating the pressures of “bounce-back” culture and rediscovering what truly matters in her fitness journey.
Navigating the Postpartum Landscape and “Bounce-Back” Culture
Motherhood presented Kuch with both physical and mental challenges that necessitated a re-evaluation of her fitness priorities. “For me, it’s really about getting back to feeling strong after having a baby,” Kuch told PEOPLE, emphasizing how the experience “rocked my world and my body”. She admitted to worrying about the “toxic ‘bounce-back’ culture” that often pressures new mothers to quickly regain their pre-pregnancy physique.
Her postpartum journey was far from linear. Kuch experienced a C-section, followed by re-hospitalization two weeks postpartum due to an infection and an allergic reaction to medication, which also prevented her from breastfeeding. These intense physical challenges, combined with significant hormonal changes and the lack of a consistent community due to her husband Isaac Rochell’s NFL career, contributed to struggles with her mental health, including feelings of emptiness and sadness. This raw honesty about her C-section recovery and “tummy issues” after birth has resonated with many, highlighting the less-talked-about realities of postpartum recovery.
A Mindset Shift: From Aesthetics to Strength and Play
A crucial turning point for Kuch was a fundamental shift in her mindset. Instead of focusing on looking “skinnier or toned,” her new goal became about how her body feels and its functional capabilities. “Now I care more about how my body feels — I want to be strong so I can play with my daughter,” she explained. This translates into prioritizing “aerobic fitness and strength to lift and run with her”. This pivot underscores a more sustainable and joyful approach to fitness, driven by the desire to be an active and present mother.
Incorporating Fitness into Daily Life as a Busy Mom
As a busy parent with a successful career, Kuch has found creative ways to integrate exercise into her daily routine. She emphasizes making simple daily tasks into wellness activities, such as wearing ankle weights during walks or doing air squats and jumping jacks at the park while with her daughter. This adaptive approach allows her to maintain consistency even when a dedicated gym session isn’t feasible. She also prioritizes mental health, noting that “working out daily is great for my mental health”.
The Role of Nutrition and Support
Kuch acknowledges that diet has played a significant role in her physical transformation post-C-section. Her dietary focus includes:
- No alcohol.
- High protein and fiber intake.
- Primarily avoiding dairy and gluten.
- Eating at home 90% of the time.
- Avoiding foods she wouldn’t feed her daughter, which cuts out a lot of sugar and “gross foods”.
She also highlights the importance of protein and collagen, incorporating Vital Proteins’ new shake into her routine for its convenience and nutritional value, calling it a “game-changer for busy moms”.
Beyond physical health, Kuch and her husband Isaac Rochell have openly discussed the importance of asking for and accepting help, especially since they don’t have family nearby. They’ve also learned to set healthy boundaries around their fitness routines, preferring to work out separately to maintain their individual “me time”.
Fostering a Healthy Body Image for Her Daughter
Motherhood has also prompted Kuch and Rochell to re-evaluate how they speak about their own bodies and body image. They aim to set a positive example for Scottie, being mindful of the language they use, and stressing the importance of speaking kindly about bodies, both their own and others’. Kuch recalled being told she was “skinny” often growing up, which made her postpartum experience difficult when her body naturally changed. Both parents are committed to ensuring their daughter develops a healthy self-perception, free from the negative impact of appearance-focused comments.
Allison Kuch’s journey exemplifies a refreshing and realistic approach to fitness in motherhood. By prioritizing strength, mental well-being, and the joy of movement over societal pressures, she offers a relatable and inspiring perspective for new mothers navigating their own evolving relationships with their bodies.
