Struggling to accept this new body and dealing w/ hypothyroidism (Anonymous)

Age: 29
Number of pregnancies: 2
Number of births: 1
Age of baby: 18 months

My story is a very familiar one. My baby was born 18 months ago via C-section due to “maternal exhaustion.” I was pushing for going on 3 hours when, after hours of nothing to eat or sleeping, I just couldn’t anymore. My scar has healed nicely but my beautiful son has given me this horrific belly pouch and back fat that I never had pre preg. I also developed hypothyroid after having him. I was breastfeeding and eating normally and just kept gaining weight. It is so frustrating and heartbreaking. I am a size 16 now and I was a size 12 pre preg so in reality, I don’t have much to go. Still trying to get my medication adjusted to the correct dosage. Discovering this website has been such a huge support for me. I know I am not alone in this struggle to accept my new body. I have a lot of people around me asking about my weight loss, how come I haven’t lost any, and do I plan on losing weight. I desperately want to but I have realized feeling healthy is the most important. I am starting a new gym regimen next week. If I maintain my current weight, I suppose I will be happy because it means I haven’t gained.

SOAM has given me such a sense of empowerment. Having my son is the greatest thing I have ever done in my life. Having the scar, belly pouch, and droopy breasts are a small price to pay for such a blessing. And my husband has been amazingly supportive and doesn’t seem to mind these new changes.

The photos were taken today.

8 thoughts on “Struggling to accept this new body and dealing w/ hypothyroidism (Anonymous)

  • Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:32 am
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    You have like NO stretch marks! As soon as you lose weight your tummy will tighten up really quickly!

    Go you for finding the motivation again
    &&Best of luck w/your goal

  • Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 11:11 am
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    You have a great attitude which is super important. My twin sister has hypothyroidism as well and had always weighed a little bit more. She always seems to look and feel her best once the doctors get her medication on the perfect dosage. So I am sure you will start to feel even better and even lose some weight once you have the right dosage.

  • Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 3:07 pm
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    kudos on a baby boy! youre very lucky to have a loving and supportive husband—it means a lot :) good luck

  • Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 12:06 am
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    I just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful, what I see of you in your pictures. And, while we all have our own issues, and as women I doubt any of us are happy wherever we are at.. I just wanted to say that I don’t think you look fat at ALL. In fact, take this for whatever its worth, I would KILL to have your tummy. Yep, 100% true. You look awesome. Don’t be hard on yourself, you gave birth, had a csection that cut your stomach muscles, and still look toned and awesome! You rock! :)

  • Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10:31 am
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    You look great~ I believe hypothyroidism can be caused by eating too much raw broccoli or cabbage… I’m always looking into natural foods and cures. Good luck with it all!

  • Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 6:46 pm
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    I have hypothyroid issues as well, and it makes the weight thing really hard. Health is definitely the most important thing for sure. Your body is a vessel that carries you, it carried your baby, and it allows you to pursue your dreams. Love it, and try to give it credit for what it does for you instead of what it looks like (even though I’m sure you look great!)Your baby and your supportive husband need you healthy, and they need to see you feeling confident. It is so important for him to have a confident strong mom. If he grows up watching you beat yourself up, it’s going to hurt him as much as it hurts you!
    hang in there,
    Jesi

  • Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11:22 pm
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    you really do have a pretty flat stomach. if you look at the plus size models all of them have one thing in common. They may be bigger than the skinny models but they all have flat stomachs.

    i don’t have a thyroid. i know how it takes awhile to get regulated. and while it wont be as easy to lose weight as it was before you got hypo, it does come off. slowly and surely. but it does come off.

  • Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11:25 pm
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    oh and i just wanted to mention that while .5 – 5 is considered normal TSH, most women feel their best when their TSH is between .5 and 2.
    Personally i like mine to be under 1 but that’s me. I have a hyper personality naturally and i like to keep it that way.
    I hope your doctor will cooperate with you in finding the TSH level that you feel best on, not just what the textbooks say.

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