Liv Homolka

I thought it’d might be fun to add another lighthearted post to the femininity category as I tend to be a bit serious and cerebral in my writing. Today’s post is all about gaining confidence in yourself after baby. If you’re like me and into fashion, beauty and fitness, you’ve probably scoured YouTube for a “glow up” (confidence increase in fitness, fashion and beauty) video that fit your lifestyle as a Christian mom only to be disappointed to only find videos of girls who’ve never had children yet and are in their late teens and early twenties pushing unrealistic lifestyle and beauty standards and immodest dress. I’ve made myself your human experiment on this topic over the last few months to give you my guide for real life Christian moms like you!

Here’s my 5 tips to start your mommy glow up

1. Get your health in order

This has been absolutely my top priority in improving myself and boosting my confidence in the last 4 months. While I still have about 10-15 more pounds I’d like to lose, I have lost 25 pounds thus far naturally. I have worked hard to do it in a slow but steady and healthy progression. Online, you will see nothing but crash diets, crazy workouts and plastic surgery, but I’m here to tell you by simply moving your body a few times a week at moderate to high intensity and getting in 10k steps everyday, you can hit your fitness goals. I haven’t even changed up my diet too much as I am still breastfeeding and constantly HUNGRY! But this wellness journey has brought me so much more than weight loss. Exercising every day in some capacity and making sure I’m getting enough water and nutrients has greatly benefited my mental health. I am a mom to four and this is the first time I’ve ever been able to bypass postpartum depression and I credit it so much to focusing on my health during this time! So get your kids involved and let them jump around with you to a YouTube workout video (there’s thousands!…I like GrowwithJo) or throw them in a stroller and walk around the neighborhood or to the grocery store. It will benefit them so much too! (PS don’t forget your dental, immune, cardiovascular, reproductive and skin health too! Your body is worthy of it being wholly healthy!)

2. Try out a self tanner

This might be my dumbest sounding tip but I feel like I look so much healthier when I have a little bit of a glow. Before I started seeing the pounds start to shed, I started using a self tanner and I felt so much more confident even though I hadn’t really changed too much about myself. While this may not be for everyone, I have enjoyed looking healthy and sunkissed. Maybe it’s the California girl in me that just will never die, but a good sunless tan is always a yes in my books! Jergens tanning mousse is by far my favorite product!

3. Get out of the sweats, leggings and pajamas

Momma’s, I know that there’s definitely tough seasons in motherhood where you just can’t, but I would highly encourage you to dress for yourself everyday. I love the idea I’ve seen around the internet about “dopamine dressing”. I think it’s absolutely spot on! When I look tired and disheveled, I feel tired and disheveled. When I look depressed, I feel depressed. However, when I look feminine and put together, I feel feminine and put together. While your style may not be Disney princess adjacent like mine, I would highly encourage you to find your mood boosting style! What makes you feel that feeling you got when you were a little girl playing dress up? Wear that! Every day, rain or shine! You will not only feel better about yourself but I think you will feel more energized to have a positive outlook for your day ahead with your children!

4. Learn your color season

This one has been hugely beneficial not only in feeling more confident in my appearance but has also made dressing, makeup and hair decisions much easier! Major win for us moms who already have enough decision fatigue! I learned that I am a winter color season! My dark hair contrasts my skin and I lean towards a deep winter because while my green eyes are lighter than my hair they are not of great contrast as if they were say piercing blue. I look best in bright sharp colors with a cool undertone. Find what color season you are and start mostly shopping out of only your color season palette. Dressing according to your colors, has the potential to brighten your complexion on even your most “blah” days! It’s been a total game changer to me and I’m never looking at coral or warm lime green again no matter how much I think they’re cute! Haha! Try it out! It’s also such a fun hobby for you as a mom! Have fun with it!

5. Lighten up

My last tip is one that’s not physical at all but hugely, hugely beneficial to your life! Lighten up! There’s been this “don’t tell me to smile” trend in recent years but I’m going to tell you…SMILE! Laugh! Play! Have fun with your kiddos! Flirt with your husband! Praise Jesus all day long! A vibrant woman is a beautiful woman! You will truly glow the more you glow from the inside out!

I hope you found this blog post fun and encouraging! You’re doing great, momma, no matter where you are! I pray you feel your absolute best knowing that you are doing Kingdom work and you deserve to pour from the fullest cup! Let Jesus fill it first and have fun with the rest of it! You deserve life and life abundantly!

Always praying for you my sister in Christ,

Liv