Strong mama! Nikki Bella showed off her postpartum body in her bra and underwear on Monday, September 7, just five weeks after giving birth to son Matteo. The Total Bellas star also gave details about beginning her 18-pound weight loss journey.

“This was really hard to do, but I felt like it was the right thing to do. Because I feel like sometimes on social media and with people sometimes in the spotlight, we just truly don’t showcase how hard postpartum can be and the journey of getting your body back,” explained the makeup-free WWE babe,36, via Instagram Story while baring her body. “So, I want to bring you all along in the realest, rawest way possible. So, here I am! I am 18 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight.”

Nikki Bella Shares 18-Pound Weight Loss Plan 5 Weeks After Son's Birth
Courtesy Nikki Bella/Instagram

The Incomparable author and fiancé Artem Chigvintsev welcomed their first child together on July 31 and have been in baby bliss, but the longtime athlete is ready to take “full accountability” for her body goals.

“I’m five weeks postpartum so maybe not all those pounds are fun — but the majority are for sure from having a lot of fun,” Nikki continued. “I want to blame so bad COVID-19 and being Arizona with a lot of heat that I didn’t get to work out like I used to. I didn’t get to see my personal trainer, go to classes, but no, I indulged in pizza quite a bit, especially toward the end and baked goods. Especially when it got hotter and I was just sick of being locked up inside. I would just use pregnancy as an excuse a lot and my fiancé just happens to be a gourmet chef.”

Nikki Bella Shows Postpartum Body 5 Weeks After Birth of Son
Courtesy Nikki Bella/Instagram

The new mama assured fans she would be losing those 18 pounds in the “healthiest way possible,” especially since she’s breast-feeding Matteo. “Giving my son the most amazing nutrition is No. 1,” Nikki added. “So, there’s going to be no crash diets. There’s going to be no starving myself. It’s going to be bringing workouts back in and healthy nutrition, which I have been doing. Of course, I cheat here and there, the normal. But yeah, I just, I really wanted you all to be on this journey with me because I’ve gotta give it to all you moms. It isn’t easy and it isn’t easy seeing your body change physically, mentally, all the changes of postpartum. I feel you and we’re exhausted on top of it, so it’s not like we’re getting our beauty sleep.”

Despite the tough parts of parenthood, Nikki gushed that “being a mom is the most rewarding thing ever.” She said, “It’s worth all the curves, all the changes, all the hard work to get my body back into the shape because I have the most amazing little boy ever.”

You’re doing amazing, mama!