It's awesome when moms give the finger to unrealistic expectations — especially when those expectations concern their own bodies. These days, it seems like every time you open Facebook or Instagram, there's a new viral photo and a new woman being championed for clapping back at mom shamers and body haters. But what happens after that viral moment, after your body has been liked, viewed, or commented on millions of times?

These five women got really real on social media this year, sharing photos of their transformed bodies, real talk about their postpartum figure, and why it's crucial to celebrate the realities of motherhood. Now, they're sharing what happened in the aftermath of all that attention, and what they want other women to learn from their experiences.

Laura Mazza

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In August, Laura Mazza posted a before-and-after body transformation photo on Facebook — except it was different from other transformation photos in that the "after" photo showed off not flat abs, but rather her self-described "jiggly tummy." "This isn't a before and after shot of weight loss," she wrote. "But it is a victory story."

In Mazza's caption, she wrote that while pregnant and after having kids, she decided she deserved to enjoy her life — and her body. And if that meant having a little more cake and drinking a little more wine, so be it. "I have achieved more with this body, then I have with my old body. I've eaten more good foods. I've lived more, I've given more, I've enjoyed more. I've made life. This body, THIS body should be celebrated and admired," she wrote.

Mazza's post went viral with over 23,000 likes on Facebook and coverage from major national outlets, including People. She also shared the photo on her blog Mum on the Run with the title "love makes you fat," where she continues to blog about motherhood, depression and anxiety, and positive body image.

What were your goals when you made the post?

I used to show my 'before' pictures to people like it was some type of trophy, like, look at how thin I was before. One day, shortly before positing that picture, I showed someone a photo of myself before I had kids. Then I looked down at my children and thought, what am I doing? Why am I resenting who I've become when I have done such wonderful things, when I am truly happy now and enjoying my life and finally feeling at ease? I wanted to give that realization to moms. I wanted them to know they're beautiful and deserving of everything they are now, and they shouldn't yearn for some past version of themselves. They've achieved so much and they should be proud.

Were you surprised that the post got so much attention?

Yes! I actually asked a friend beforehand if I should even post it because I thought maybe I sounded silly. I never expected to end up on TV talking about it, and speaking to people all over the world. It just shows you how many people really need encouragement to love their body.

How did you handle any negative reactions to your post?

A lot of people said that I was obese and promoting an unhealthy lifestyle, but, really, if they read it properly, they would have seen that what I was before was unhealthy. I was barely eating, always on a crash diet, low in vitamins, always tired. It's now that I love myself, and that I'm finally treating myself better. I eat a variety of foods, I keep my vitamin levels up. I don't starve myself. I don't base myself on the scales and I don't speak poorly of myself anymore. Haters will say things, but that just makes me feel stronger. I feel strong with who I am. Sometimes I do like to write back in the comments, explaining how it was before for me and how I'm better now, and I will tell them to go shove their opinions — I'm a little fiery — but generally I try to get them to see the lighter side of life.

What advice would you give to moms who want to join the fight against body shaming?

Say to the world, "Fuck it. This is who I am and who I am is amazing." Don't let haters reflect their negativity in you.

Amanda Bacon

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If there's one unifying experience of the aftermath of giving birth, it's having to wear the enormous "mom diaper" that hospitals give out to new moms to wear post-delivery. It resembles a pad that looks like it's meant for a giant, and it's basically guaranteed to make you laugh or cry your way through the recovery process.

Amanda Bacon chose to do the former. Last July, she posted a refreshingly real photo on Facebook of herself in the pad after giving birth to her son Pierson. She captioned it "motherhood uncensored," noting that women always talk about how having a baby is a beautiful experience, but never really talk about the realities of postpartum life. "We all should try to educate, empower, and embrace every aspect of childbirth, including moments like this. And do it while having a sense of humor," she wrote. Moms across the world clearly agreed – her post has been shared over 150,000 times. Bacon — "butt wiper by day, blog writer by night" —continues to live by that sentiment, sharing the good, the bad, and the absurd moments of her parenting experience on her blog Bits O' Bacon.

What were your goals when you decided to make the post?

I honestly didn't have any, other than to be real! I know so many mothers who take themselves so seriously that they end up driving themselves nuts. Also, childbirth is scary, and I never remember seeing pictures of what happens after labor. Sure, I read a thing or two about bleeding, but I had no clue I'd be wearing a diaper. I just wanted to remind other women to laugh, and to enjoy every part of the experience.

You edited your post to note that you were the one who posted the picture, not your husband. Were a lot of people confused?

So many people were saying unkind things about my husband for posting the picture, but it was me who posted it. Knowing I posted it changes the whole meaning of the post [for readers]. Having so many people genuinely surprised I would post a picture like that of myself proves my point: Talking about what happens after birth is taboo. And it shouldn't be!

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How has being the "Diaper Mom" changed your life?

I feel like this weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can be myself. Before that diaper picture went viral, I posted more — for lack of a better word — "fake" pictures online, with perfect backgrounds, smiling kids, and clean rooms. But behind the scenes, my life was a mess, and I was a mess! Now, I'm not afraid to share the real moments because the responses I [still] get from people across the world are amazing. I tell everyone that it's helped me realize "it's OK to not be OK." It's OK to struggle with depression, and you don't need to struggle silently. It's OK to hate breastfeeding; it's not easy! Kids are hard. Overall, I've become a happier person because I'm less concerned about what others are thinking of me, and I've learned to love myself.

Besides the diapers, what else should moms know about the recovery process after having a baby?

Don't be too hard on yourself. It can be a long road to recovery — both mentally and physically — and it's so important to take care of you. Sleep when you can, don't be afraid to say no to visitors, and don't try to go too hard too fast. Your body has done an absolutely amazing thing bringing a child into the world.

Hein Koh

Hein Koh is a New York City-based artist and mother who went viral last year for a photo showcasing a laughably real peek at what "having it all" looks like in the modern world. In the picture, a baby nurses at each breast while Koh types away topless on her laptop. It's an image that shatters the ideas that you have to make a choice between motherhood and career. The photo was widely covered on online outlets including Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan.com, and Bustle, and Koh says the feedback was overwhelmingly supportive.

Koh is still working as an artist, with upcoming shows in Baltimore, NYC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Singapore. Obviously, she's still trying to balance motherhood and her career.

Breastfeeding photos can be controversial, even if there's no reason for them to be. Did that make you hesitate at all before posting?

I did hesitate before posting the photo, because I was completely topless. But it was a candid photo my husband took, and, when I originally posted it in 2015, I thought it was too funny not to post. I reposted it in 2016 — when it went viral — as a response to Marina Abramovic's comment that children hold women back in the art world. I just felt too angry not to say something. It comes up a lot in the art world, the conversation about women being held back by children, so I wanted to help disprove that notion and add a different angle to the conversation.

What have you learned about balancing a career and motherhood since you posted the photo?

I've learned to be much kinder to myself and not try to be so "perfect" all the time. I definitely pushed myself too hard after my kids were born, and I still do at times because of my fear of compromising my career. I try to tell myself that I don't have to have everything happen right now. Success can unfold at its own pace, and slowing down is OK — sometimes even beneficial — in the long run.

Why do you think your post resonated so much with other moms?

I didn't realize my post would resonate with moms outside of the art world, but I think they responded to my brutal honesty and how I put a positive spin on the challenges of motherhood. I think they appreciated a candid photo of the crazy things moms do, things that are everyday business for us, but not something most people would know because they happen in the privacy of our own homes. Moms are getting tired of the prejudice they experience in the workplace — they like that I stood up for us. Also, other moms know how hard it is to breastfeed and get anything done, and I think they were impressed that I figured out a way to breastfeed not just one but two babies and still manage to work on my computer.

Rachel Hollis

Rachel Hollis is a working mom to three boys and a baby girl. Oh, and she looks awesome in a bikini. Just ask the 485,000 (and counting!) people who liked a beach photo she posted on Facebook in 2015.Her un-doctored photo went viral for showcasing her stretch marks with pride and reminding viewers of what they represent — you read that part about how she has four kids, right? Rachel runs an LA-based lifestyle media company focusing on content for women, and she's still using her platform to promote body positivity and loving herself by sharing her flaws right alongside her successes.

What was going through your head when you decided to post the photo?

My husband and I were on vacation in Mexico, a rare getaway from our kids, and I was wearing a new bikini top with a monogram. I thought that my followers on Instagram might think it was cute so I asked my husband to snap a pic. When I saw the options on my phone, I noticed my stretch marks in every single one and my first instinct was to zoom in and edit the photo so you wouldn't see them. Then I thought about how many other women who have stretch marks might see it and I wanted the chance to say something positive about all my body has done for me. So I kept it in. The rest is history.

Do you feel any differently about your body now than when you first posted?

Not at all. I'm still so aware of how blessed I am to have a healthy body that helped me grow and carry three children. So many people struggle with physical limitations and I'm eternally grateful that my body is strong and healthy.

Were you surprised by any of the feedback you received on your post?

Absolutely! I could never have imagined what would happen or how much it would resonate with other people. This winter, which was two years since the original, I posted an updated bikini shot when we were in Mexico again for Throwback Thursday and I used the same copy. It went bananas all over again. It just shows me that body positivity is something women still gravitate to.

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How can moms who are struggling with their new bodies begin to accept them?

Start by embracing your own body. When I was younger and newer to motherhood, I struggled with the changes in my body, but even then I knew that everything was about perception. So I started a practice of staring at my body in a full-length mirror until I could find 3 things I thought were great about it. I started with stuff like "my eyes are really pretty" and "my ankles look great." I was still carrying baby weight then, so in the beginning I struggled. But forcing myself to look at my body and what was great about it started to shift my perception. Later on, I'd be like "I guess my butt is good" and then even further along, it was "dang, my butt is slammin'!" Nothing about my body had changed, but my perception had — and that changed everything else.

Ruth Lee

Ruth Lee is a mother and a beauty blogger at The Ruth Lee Diary, where she's gathered a loyal following of fans as she teaches them tips and tricks on how to put their "best selves" out there for the world to see. After she gave birth to her daughter, though, she realized that the "best self" approach may be harmful when it comes to talking about postpartum bodies — she felt it showed an incomplete picture of what having a baby does to your body, putting unreasonable expectations on moms to "bounce back." Wanting to join the movement for body positivity and authenticity, Ruth shared a photo of her stomach and C-section scar. It quickly went viral, with coverage from national outlets including Fox News and Us Weekly. Her blog and Instagram have been wildly growing as well, but she's primarily focused on her baby. "You blink and you miss a lot," she says. "I have learned to start living in the moment more so with her. I don't take any moment for granted."

What were your goals when you posted the photo?

Ruth Lee: I took the photo at the time because I was in an interesting mentality between still being amazed and proud at all I had been through and struggling with my new body and the disappointment that I ended up with a C-section. When I saw the picture, I couldn't believe that was my body. Because the C-section was such a surprise, I was wildly underprepared for the recovery. I didn't plan on ever sharing that photo with the whole world. It was just for me, so it sat in my phone for a few months. Then, one night, I was scrolling through Instagram and I was bombarded with images of famous women who had babies even more recently than I did. They had no flaws, not a single visible stretch mark or scar. I looked down at myself. Was I the only one who felt so discouraged by what's portrayed in the media and what was in the mirror?

I knew I couldn't be the only mom who was facing these challenges after a baby. I shared my picture because I wanted there to be at least one more image out there that portrayed what was real. Women have begun to feel that stretch marks and scars are negative, even ugly. I sure did, initially. And that's not right! The more we share images like this, the more empowering it will be. They are beautiful — I just had to learn that. And I hoped that sharing the real and intense photo of what my postpartum body looked like would help moms accept their own bodies and be proud of them. It would be easy to only share the happy photos or even edit them so that "perfection" is achieved. But that's not doing anyone any good.

Do you feel any differently about your body now than you did when you posted them?

RL: I think that I had this perception forced upon me from celebrities and social media that loose skin, stretch marks, and scars are all things to hide. Things to "treat" or get rid of. To be ashamed of. I've had to change my thinking and erase these perceptions. I did a lot of thinking about what I've been though and how amazing it really is. I look at my tummy now and honestly see beauty. Stretch marks are so unique and beautiful. You just have to see them differently. I see my daughter in them. I was able to conceive and carry my beautiful daughter, and for that I am eternally grateful. My scar represents my efforts in doing everything I could to get my baby here safely. Posting my images was the first step in acceptance and self-love for me.

Why do you think people related so strongly to your photos?

RL: It is absolutely astounding to me how many messages I have received from women who say that my journey is exactly what they went through as well. Even women I know personally confronted me about their own struggles, women I had absolutely no idea were struggling at all. I think people relate so much because it is so honest and raw, and that's not too common on Instagram.

What advice would you give moms who are struggling with accepting their body after giving birth?

RL: My biggest motivation is that I want to be a positive role model for my little girl. And I realized that I need to have a positive relationship with my own body so that I can encourage her to have one with hers, I never want her to feel ugly, "ruined," or less-than, so I need to shrug those feelings off. As moms, our babies love us unconditionally. My daughter has taught me the purest love I have ever known. And I need to allow myself the same kind of love.

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