Zoe Saldana Shares Photo of Flat Post-Baby Abs—to Mixed Reviews

There’s no denying that celebrity moms are pressured to get back to their thin frames almost immediately after they give birth. From Kim Kardashian to Kelly Clarkson, moms in the spotlight are under immense media scrutiny regarding the weight they gained while creating a human being or—gasp—the possibility that they might not lose it all in a matter days.

Actor Zoe Saldana admitted that she too felt the pressure to get back to her slender stature after giving birth to twin boys. From the looks of her latest gym selfie, she’s been successful. Saldana’s rolled-up shirt reveals a toned tummy, just eight months after her sons were born.

“Almost there! It's been difficult but so rewarding,” Saldana captioned the photo. “I feel strong. All it takes is determination! Mommies we can all do it, damn it!!!”

The image has received upwards of 45,000 likes and hundreds of shares and comments since she posted it on Wednesday. Many commenters rooted Saldana on, noting that they felt inspired to hit the gym and less alone in their fitness journeys. But not everyone was a fan of the actor’s implication that achieving such a shape was possible.

“Not everyone is affluent enough not to have to work hard jobs and get babysitters,” wrote Facebook user Laurie Mcculloh. Saldana credits some of her success to work she’s done with her trainer, a luxury many women can’t afford. 

Others noted that Saldana was naturally svelte before her pregnancy. “That's not realistic for most women after we have kids,” wrote Melissa Rutkowske‪. It’s not realistic for women before they have kids, either, as the average American women wears a size 14.

Others felt that the picture referred to Saldana’s journey and a common struggle many women can relate to after giving birth. The Guardians of the Galaxy actor stated that she hit 185 pounds during her pregnancy and struggled to find the energy to shed the 70 pounds she gained while carrying her boys. In recent social media posts, Saldana detailed her battle to get to the gym by sharing a photo of herself on the treadmill and saying that “bouncing back felt impossible.”

As moms began to compare their size with Saldana’s, some users pointed out that her message didn’t necessarily mean that all moms could become as thin as her or return to their pre-baby body. Instead, the actor’s message inspired them to prioritize self-care and work toward the size that makes them feel the most comfortable.

“You don’t have to look like her,” wrote Whitney B. “It’s [about] looking YOUR best.”

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