Motherhood transforms a woman in ways that are rarely spoken about—beyond the visible changes to the body. Hormones shift, priorities change, energy fades, and somewhere along the way, many women quietly place themselves last. For Saru Mukherjee, the journey after childbirth was not about chasing a “pre-baby body,” but about reclaiming strength, stamina, and mental well-being.
This is an honest story by Saru Mukherjee about her burnout, resilience, and choosing health as a form of survival.
When I conceived my baby, I weighed 49 kg. Doctors were worried—about my body, about childbirth, and about whether my baby would be healthy. After nearly two years of trying to conceive, fear took over. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance, so I followed every instruction and ate for two. By the end of my pregnancy, I had gained 24 kg—almost double what I was advised.
After giving birth, I barely recognized my body. For the first time in my life, I didn’t fit into an XS. Breastfeeding and mindful eating helped me lose weight, but something else was happening quietly—I was losing muscle, strength, and energy. I remember reading that breastfeeding mothers can lose bone density rapidly, and suddenly, my constant weakness made sense. Still, I did nothing because the scale showed an “ideal” number.
But my body knew better.
Then COVID happened. I stopped breastfeeding, stayed home, and slowly started gaining weight again—this time mostly around my belly. What hurt more than the weight gain was how I felt: exhausted, weak, low on stamina, and mentally drained. I took a gym membership but barely used it. Life felt overwhelming—my son’s online classes, work, household responsibilities, and travel. My husband even joked about my wasting the membership, but the truth was deeper. I had no routine, no energy, and no space for myself.
Eventually, burnout caught up with me. Pouring from an empty cup took a toll, and my mental health suffered. Motherhood changes women deeply—our hormones, bodies, and priorities shift—but support often doesn’t follow. We assume someone will understand, step in, or save us. But that rarely happens. Change begins only when you decide you’ve had enough.
In 2023, I made a decision—to prioritize my health, not for aesthetics, but for survival. I started dropping my son off at school, coming home, and heading straight to the gym. Strength training changed everything. Over the next year, my mood improved, my energy returned, and my strength surprised me. The gym became my sanctuary—especially as a work-from-home mom with zero personal space. Those hours were mine, and they helped me reconnect with myself.
I kept my nutrition simple because complicated plans never last. On gym days, my pre-workout breakfast is peanut butter banana bread with black coffee. Post-workout, I have a protein shake followed by lunch. Dinner has remained the same for three years—sautéed vegetables with a small bowl of brown rice. Simple. Sustainable. Effective.
For mothers who want to feel stronger—both physically and mentally—this is what worked for me:
- Start small. Remove chips, namkeens, and junk food from the house. Replace them with makhanas, puffed rice, roasted nuts, and seeds. Out of sight truly is out of mind.
- Add protein without changing your entire menu. Boiled eggs, paneer or tofu in regular meals, yogurt for gut health—small additions make a big difference.
- Move daily. If possible, join a nearby gym—the change in environment builds commitment. If not, carve out at least 30 minutes for yourself through yoga, home workouts, or a 5 km walk.
- Set realistic goals. Week one: 2,000 steps after meals. Week two: 4,000 steps, 30 minutes of yoga, and active rest days.
The most common message I receive from mothers is about a lack of time and support. The truth is—you have to find time and ask for help. No one hands it to you. Planning saved me. Weekly schedules, meal prep, and advance decisions reduced chaos and decision fatigue.
Everything feels manageable—until your health breaks down. When you exercise, you feel better, do better, and live better. Treat your health like your life depends on it—because it truly does.