'This is the heaviest that I’ve ever been in my entire life' — Steffi van Wyk-Brink gets real about her post-partum body

The Namibian beauty queen gave birth to her first child just over seven months ago

14 November 2023 - 17:30
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Steffi van Wyk-Brink opens up about her postpartum body.
Steffi van Wyk-Brink opens up about her postpartum body.
Image: Instagram/ Steffi van Wyk-Brink

Seven months and seven days after giving birth to her first child, Steffi van Wyk-Brink, Miss Namibia 2015, got candid with her followers about the changes to her body. 

Onher Instagram timeline Steffi shared images of herself, writing about how she is dealing with the changes to her body and working towards getting her figure back to its “pre-pregnant” state.

“I am tired, yet I love every second of the waking hour. I am not my body, yet I need to treat it like my temple. This Body is the only one I’ll get in this lifetime, and I can’t trade it in for a newer model,” she wrote. 

“It is difficult to remain disciplined, when you’re working, and you’re mommying, and you’re wifeying... sometimes you forget your own needs. Sometimes you have too much grace for yourself, other times you have too little.”

“This is the heaviest that I’ve ever been in my entire life it scares me. I work hard. I burn calories but I don’t eat in a deficit just yet. I need to do what’s best for my baby, and that’s staying nourished and mentally healthy.”

Steffi went on to pen a note to other mothers to not be discouraged but rather be kind to themselves on their journey. 

“Sometimes you need to trust your gut and not sweat the small stuff. Weight can always be dropped, getting your mind right takes effort and reversing eating disorders, well that’s a conversation for another day.

“I’ve just seen too much, to not be happy with where I’m at. My voice, my current struggles, and my journey will speak to someone out there who needs to be reminded that, mommy, sister, daughter, wife, friend — you are doing your best, and sometimes your best needs to be good enough for now, until your energy is revived — and until we switch some gears. But until then, Let’s do what you can, and the rest will follow! We are in this together. We are more connected than you realise. Let’s draw strength from each others’ struggles, and hope from each others’ triumphs.”



subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now