Serena Williams Shares Struggles and Triumphs on Postpartum Weight Loss Journey in Heartfelt Instagram Post. Serena Williams, the iconic tennis champion, is no stranger to hard work and perseverance. Known for her resilience on the court, Williams is now applying that same determination to her personal life as she openly navigates her postpartum weight loss journey. On May 22, 2024, the 42-year-old athlete shared an Instagram video updating fans on her progress toward fitting into a beloved denim Valentino skirt, a goal she first revealed in January.
In the candid video, Williams revisits the skirt that has become a symbol of her fitness ambitions. “Back by popular demand,” she begins, addressing her followers with her trademark humor and honesty.
“I am going to try on my skirt again to see if it’s any closer than it was four weeks ago. Really it’s been about six weeks. Honestly, I feel like it’s gonna fit the same because I’ve been gym-ing a lot but I don’t know if the needle is moving.”
Despite her reservations, Williams proceeds to try on the maxi skirt, noting modest progress as she pulls it slightly higher over her hips.
“It’s getting there,” she remarks optimistically. “Before it was like down here… it’s like an inch higher.” Although she admits to being somewhat disappointed, Williams maintains her sense of humor, joking, “I wanna cry, but I’m not. I’m gonna stop eating all those snacks.”
The video quickly garnered an outpouring of support from her fans. Comments praised her transparency and encouraged her to stay the course. One user empathized, “I can only imagine the pressure for a public figure, let alone an athlete to get back into the figure you had. But our bodies look different after babies, let’s own it and show people we did battle for them and we’re proud.” Another added, “Good job! It’s a marathon not a sprint. You got this.”
Williams’ journey with the denim skirt began in January 2024, when she first shared her goal of fitting into it postpartum. In that initial Instagram post, she explained, “I got this cool Valentino skirt when I was pregnant and I was like, ‘I’m gonna be able to fit in this when I don’t have a belly.’” However, she humorously admitted that reality had not aligned with her expectations: “I can’t fit it.”
Williams, who welcomed her second daughter, Adira River, in August 2023 with husband Alexis Ohanian, is no stranger to the challenges of postpartum life. The couple also shares a 6-year-old daughter, Olympia. Balancing motherhood with personal goals has been a journey for Williams, filled with both setbacks and triumphs.
In her January video, she confessed to falling behind on her fitness goals due to distractions. “This is my goal,” she said. “And honestly, I should have been able to fit it by now, but I ran into some… I got distracted for about a month. And so, I’m about a month behind. We have a ways to go.” With a smile, she added, “Houston, we have a problem.”
Despite these challenges, Williams remains determined. “If I go to the gym and get fit, I’ll be able to fit in in a month,” she concluded with optimism. The video ends with the caption: “Back to the drawer… for now!”
Williams’ transparency about her journey has resonated with many, highlighting the pressures and realities faced by public figures, especially athletes, in reclaiming their bodies post-pregnancy. Her openness serves as a reminder that progress, however small, is still progress, and that persistence, paired with a good sense of humor, is key to overcoming personal challenges.
