As new moms, our first obstacles tend to be sleep deprivation and those pesky stretch marks that multiplied after delivery. We don't tend to think about the baby weight until our first postpartum appointment when we timidly step back on the scale, only to find out we're holding onto an extra 15-20 pounds. Then, we go into crazy health mode. For about three days, when life and exhaustion creeps up on us.
Even though my pregnancy was cut short, I gained more than the average woman because of how sick I was. By the time I delivered, I had gained almost 50 pounds. There followed months of mental and physical recovery, taking it easy, resting, watching my blood pressure, etc. All with the stress of having a preemie in the NICU, and struggling to pump and take care of us both after he came home. Some days, all I could manage was string cheese and a bottle of water.
Now, 14 months later, I'm still hanging on to a few extra pounds, and my skin hasn't completely gone back. I'm not back in my pre-pregnancy jeans and that's okay. I've made the conscious decision to make better choices and exercise each and everyday, even if its just for a couple minutes. I still try to dress like I used to though. Just because I wear a bigger size doesn't mean I have to feel like an alien in my own skin. I own mom jeans, but NEWS FLASH!! Everyone does! Before pregnancy we just called them "fat jeans" or "period pants." Its not something to be ashamed of at all! Some days you just have to pull out those bad boys and embrace them for what they are, a saving grace when you can barely manage to brush your hair.
Bottom line, nobody expects you to lose all that weight and look exactly like you did before, the very next day, so neither should you. Go ahead and set a goal, but understand that life tends to get in the way of everything, especially when you least want it to. Big hips are better for carrying babies, so are bellies that still protrude a little. You aren't any less attractive than you were before. You probably struggled to get past those six weeks post delivery without pouncing on your hubby and vice versa. I wouldn't call that person unattractive.
Everyone has things about themselves they wish they could change, having had a baby or not. The important thing is to remember that with hard work and determination you can look exactly how you want to, but it'll never happen over night. Don't be afraid of numbers, go by how you feel. If you feel better after working out and eating healthy the day before, than do it again because you feel good, not because you lost a quarter of a pound. Cheat days are okay, we all have weaknesses. Don't feel too guilty about it, and if your whole diet goes out the window when you're pmsing, whoop-de-doo, just get yourself back on track after.
A confident woman is a beautiful woman.
Now, 14 months later, I'm still hanging on to a few extra pounds, and my skin hasn't completely gone back. I'm not back in my pre-pregnancy jeans and that's okay. I've made the conscious decision to make better choices and exercise each and everyday, even if its just for a couple minutes. I still try to dress like I used to though. Just because I wear a bigger size doesn't mean I have to feel like an alien in my own skin. I own mom jeans, but NEWS FLASH!! Everyone does! Before pregnancy we just called them "fat jeans" or "period pants." Its not something to be ashamed of at all! Some days you just have to pull out those bad boys and embrace them for what they are, a saving grace when you can barely manage to brush your hair.
Bottom line, nobody expects you to lose all that weight and look exactly like you did before, the very next day, so neither should you. Go ahead and set a goal, but understand that life tends to get in the way of everything, especially when you least want it to. Big hips are better for carrying babies, so are bellies that still protrude a little. You aren't any less attractive than you were before. You probably struggled to get past those six weeks post delivery without pouncing on your hubby and vice versa. I wouldn't call that person unattractive.
Everyone has things about themselves they wish they could change, having had a baby or not. The important thing is to remember that with hard work and determination you can look exactly how you want to, but it'll never happen over night. Don't be afraid of numbers, go by how you feel. If you feel better after working out and eating healthy the day before, than do it again because you feel good, not because you lost a quarter of a pound. Cheat days are okay, we all have weaknesses. Don't feel too guilty about it, and if your whole diet goes out the window when you're pmsing, whoop-de-doo, just get yourself back on track after.
A confident woman is a beautiful woman.
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| Caiden on our daily walk around the neighborhood. |
