Gemma Atkinson wowed on the April cover of Women’s Health magazine as she candidly discussed how her figure has changed since becoming a mother.
The former Emmerdale star, 35, welcomed her first child, a daughter called Mia in July with her Strictly Come Dancing beau Gorka Marquez.
And Gemma candidly confessed that her ‘body doesn’t look like it did before’ in the April issue of Women’s Health.
Wow: Gemma Atkinson has wowed on the April cover of Women’s Health magazine as she candidly discussed how her figure has changed since becoming a mother
The former Strictly contestant told the publication: ‘My body doesn’t look like it did before. It’s changed after having a baby, but that made me more determined to do [the shoot] – my body is not better or worse, just different.
‘Maybe it’s important to show that to other women?… I was always straight up and down, like a surfboard, but now I’ve got a bit of a waist.
‘When I put on high-waisted jeans, you can see I’ve got hips. I reckon I’m about 3 percent J Lo now, so I’m happy with that.’
Gemma also spoke about how her exercise regime has changed since having an emergency C-section for Mia’s birth, she was induced due to her daughter being a tiny 4lbs 10.
Yummy mummy: The former Emmerdale star, 35, welcomed her first child, a daughter called Mia in July with her Strictly Come Dancing beau Gorka Marquez
She continued: ‘The C-section completely floored me; I couldn’t brush my hair I was in so much pain.
‘A caesarean goes through seven layers of fat, tissue and muscle, so it takes a long time to get better and, for me, it wasn’t sensible to start exercising until around 15 weeks after Mia was born.
‘Before, I would strength-train with Evil Steve [Chambers, her PT at Ultimate Performance in Manchester] twice a week, but I’ve only actually made it to see him three times in the past six months…’
Gemma added: ‘Now I’m a mum, I can’t really plan anything – I just go hour by hour.’
Candid: And Gemma has candidly confessed that her ‘body doesn’t look like it did before’ in the April issue of Women’s Health
The star went on to sweetly add that due to her busy schedule, her partner Gorka has built her a gym in their house as he knows how much fitness ‘means to her’.
She revealed: ‘Gorka knew how much my fitness meant to me, so he built a gym in our house. A big part of the battle for many people is getting to the gym in the first place, so knowing it’s only two seconds away makes it a lot easier.’
Although Gemma jokingly added: ‘I often think, “Why am I doing this when there’s a fridge and a comfy sofa next door?”‘
Talking about how important exercise is to her, the soap star admitted that it gives her ‘more enthusiasm and patience’ for her daughter Mia.
She said: ‘Now, I love the way it puts me in a good mood–it gives me more enthusiasm and more patience for Mia, for myself, for everyone.
Exercise: Gemma also spoke about how her exercise regime has changed since having an emergency C-section for Mia’s birth, she was induced due to her daughter being a tiny 4lbs 10
‘But if you’re not feeling it, listen to your body and rest. I want each session to be 100%, but it can’t be every single time.’
Gemma also discussed how she has navigated the online mummy community as she continues to raise her daughter in the public eye.
The former model, who has 1.3 million Instagram followers, admitted that 95% of her fans are supportive and that she received criticism for stopping breastfeeding after nine weeks.
She said: ‘There’s a great mummy community online, and while 95% of it is really supportive, the other 5% is “we know better”.
‘I was told off for stopping breastfeeding after nine weeks, for putting a hat on Mia, then for not giving her enough blankets, it was ridiculous! I wonder if some of these people have even got kids.’
Sweet: The star went on to sweetly add that due to her busy schedule, her partner Gorka has built her a gym in their house as he knows how much fitness ‘means to her’
For the Women’s Health cover, Gemma looked incredible in a collection of different gym gear as she showed off her washboard abs and toned figure.
The star styled her blonde locks into a glamorous blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of minimal make-up to enhance her stunning features.
Gemma and Gorka confirmed they were expecting their first child together via the radio presenter’s Instagram page on February 1 2019.
Loved-up: Gemma and Gorka confirmed they were expecting their first child together via the radio presenter’s Instagram page on February 1 2019 (pictured in March)
They first crossed paths when they met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 but they weren’t partnered up together on the show.
Their romance didn’t come to light until they went on their first mini break and made their love Instagram official in February 2018, a few months after the show wrapped.
In July, Gemma bravely revealed that she began haemorrhaging after an emergency C-section following the birth of her daughter Mia.
Gemma will be appearing at Women’s Health Live, April 3-5 at London Business Design Centre. Tickets on sale now here.
The full interview appears in the April issue of Women’s Health, on sale now.
Read more: The full interview appears in the April issue of Women’s Health, on sale now