Feeling Confident (Jill)

Age: 32
2 pregnancies
Children aged 5 years & 8 years

I had my first child at 24. Before becoming pregnant I weighed about 140 lbs. I gained 67 lbs. during that pregnancy. Before my second birth (27 years old) I had lost all of the weight plus some and got down to 136 lbs. During the second pregnancy I gained 76 lbs. Over the past five years I have fluctuated between 135 and 170 but spent the most time hovering around 140-145.

I am now 32 and have gotten down to 130 lbs. As much as this number seems reasonable, my body is so very different than before. My breasts are smaller and droopier, obviously there are many stretch marks, my thighs are much bigger, my hips are wider, and my belly skin is wrinkly.

My husband, who is very complimentary of my body, just bought me a bikini for the summer. I love the suit and really want to wear it. I also, however, want to feel confident in it and not self-conscious. I can, for the most part, deal with the stretch marks as they more closely remind me of my precious babes. They also aren’t as defined as they seem to look in the pictures. My biggest concerns, however, are my love handles and the wrinkly skin under my belly button. I just cannot seem to get it to tighten up – is it possible? Hoping to feel confident by June!

7 thoughts on “Feeling Confident (Jill)

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:44 pm
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    I think you look absolutely gorgeous, lush and feminine while also slim. I know you feel sensitive about the loose skin but I hope you can accept that your husband sees beauty that really IS there, and wear the bikini with enjoyment and pride.

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:46 pm
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    You SHOULD feel confident! You’re GORGEOUS! And my body twin (except I have smaller breasts).

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:48 pm
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    You look wonderful, really. I can’t see any wrinkly skin underneath your belly- I’m sure you look great in the bikini! The only thing I could suggest to you is a little more ab work to tighten up the skin.. but as I said I really can’t even tell, and you are beautiful as is.

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:48 pm
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    You have a very nice hourglass shape.

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:56 pm
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    You look gorgeous. Floating around this website somewhere is a picture of Julia Roberts in a bikini. With the exact same tummy we have (because mine looks just like yours… except I’m a little chubbier ;-)) See if you can find it. It made me feel a WHOLE lot better about my stomach, and I don’t care quite as much about it any more…

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 9:32 pm
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    I know what it’s like to be self critical, but the ‘flaws’ you see are virtually invisible to others. To be honest, I’d be overjoyed to have a partner with a figure like yours BEFORE having a baby, let alone after having two!

  • Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 10:55 am
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    you look great, and well if your husband thinks you look hott in a bikini wear it girl!

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