Carrie Underwood Admits Getting Her Body Back After Her Second Baby Has Been ‘Frustrating’

Carrie Underwood is getting real about her post-baby body.

The superstar, who welcomed her second son, Jacob Bryan, in January of this year, recently opened up to People about the struggles she’s faced when it comes to bouncing back after baby No.2.

“After having my first kid [Isaiah, 4], felt like I bounced back fast. And then with Jake, it was like my body took a minute to get back to me. It was frustrating, because I’m like, ‘Why wasn’t it like the first time?’ ” Underwood shared with the publication at an event celebrating the new CALIA by Carrie Underwood winter collection.

Though she admitted to feeling a bit frustrated, the “Drinking Alone” singer said she tries to cut herself some slack and not let the pressure of bouncing back right away get to her.

“But I’m four years older,” she added. “That also helped me shift my mindset — I’m still working hard, wanting to be the best me possible, but cutting myself slack and just thinking, ‘Be kind to yourself.’ It’s amazing what we [women] do to ourselves. We’re probably all our toughest critics.”

As the holiday season approaches, Underwood shared her thoughts on holiday indulgences and how to manage your nutrition with so many holiday temptations. Her advice? Enjoy yourself.

“I don’t like to call them ‘cheat days’ — you’re just enjoying life,” she explained. “I feel like holiday time can be stressful when it comes to health and fitness, but it doesn’t have to be. You can just say, ‘I’m going to enjoy myself on the holidays.’”

“It’s all about friends and family and food and parties, and indulging responsibly,” she continued. “And when New Year’s is over, get back on the horse. It’s like, ‘Okay, I’ve had my holiday fun. Now it’s time to get back on my path.’”

With a wildly successful 2019 behind her, Underwood is preparing to ring in the holiday season with family before a busy 2020.

“There’s a lot of travel, but that’s kind of our tradition because we don’t have any family that actually lives near us, so it’s just go, go, go,” Underwood told People.

Next year, Carrie Underwood will release her first book, FIND YOUR PATH: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life. The book will introduce fans to her Fit52 program and detail her personal health and fitness journey.