'I still pee my pants' - Marathon runner mum shares honest pictures of post-baby body

It's easy to assume that the fitter and healthier your body is, the less pregnancy will take its toll.

However, one marathon-running mum is opening up about her post-baby figure, and you might find that her experiences aren't very different to your own.

Stephanie Rothstein Bruce is an elite pro runner who's currently training for the Olympics, aiming to qualify for the 10,000m run. She's also mum to two adorable babies, aged 21 months and six months, and she's using her platform to speak out about the changes every body goes through after bringing a child into the world.

'Not many elite pro runners stop their careers to have babies and I decided to take a break to have a child in between Olympic cycles,' the 32 year old told SELF magazine. 'It's a journey not talked about very publicly as many women see elite runners as these superhuman women with super fit bodies and sometimes can't relate.'

'Going through pregnancy and childbirth was very humbling and I felt that not many women… shared the real and raw part of it,' she added. 'I can run 5:20 pace for a half marathon, but I still pee my pants, have diastasis recti, stretch marks, and other postpartum issues. I share this so moms and soon-to-be moms know you can still get back to your athletic self, have big goals, be a mom, have imperfections, don't be embarrassed by them, and have confidence in yourself.'

Stephanie uses her Instagram account to spread her positive message to her 21,800 followers, frequently sharing pictures of both her training regime and her children.

Recently, she placed second in her first National Championship after giving birth.

'I felt like I won my own race. Coming back from pregnancy has been extremely humbling, embarrassing at times, but extremely rewarding,' she wrote next to a picture of herself at the finish line.

'Not many women I raced today were pumping breast milk pre race. But it can be done. I hope more pro runner ladies don't wait for their careers to end to have babies. I hope runner mamas everywhere find belief and stength and humor in their post baby comeback. I hope men runners aren't weirded or grossed out by the realities of a mom runner. Because the mom strength and power is real ya'll. #roadtorio #6monthspostpartum #journeywithsteph #timetofly #oiselleteam'

Inspirational words from an inspirational lady! Now, anyone fancy a jog?