I have two beautiful children who I love with ALL of my heart, but I hate the way my body has changed since having them. I often hear people say, “I love my stretch marks because when I look at them I am reminded of my children” I don’t look at it that way at all…I see only stretch marks with no emotional meaning attatched to them, other than how sad they make me feel. I wish that I could get back to my body before babies but it seems just so far off. I don’t feel comfortable in clothes and am constantly checking what I look like in the mirror. I try to only buy loose fitting blouses as I don’t want any attention paid to my midsection. My breasts have completely dropped after two pregnancies and breastfeeding two infants. Will I eventually just accept that this is the way I’m going to look? Will I get the honest motivation to do something about this? I don’t know…I guess only time will tell.
Age 24
2 pregnancies
10 months post partum
I am 22 months post partum, mother of one. My body shape looks exactly like yours. I’ve struggled with it since the day after my son was born. But the truth is, looking at your pictures, comparing them to mine…You are beautiful! Look at your backside picture, look at that very defined waist! My breasts also look like yours; it’s a struggle but I’ve found that finding a GOOD fitting, sexy bra is hard but is well worth it. Nice undergarments can make you feel like a million bucks! I hope my small comment will make you smile, I know how you feel. But, just remember, you have two beautiful babies that your body took care of for 9 months each!
i cant see any stretch marks on this pictures,you are beautiful!you have 2 lovely children!dontbe sad:)
You are smoking hot! I know it may not seem like that looking down, but I think you are super sexy!
i know exactly how you feel. i see my stretch marks as my failure to get through pregnancy and still be pretty and smooth. my babies are my reminders of happiness, i don’t need the scars! i’m trying to not care so much but i seriously can’t stand them. just know, you’re so not alone;)
You look great, and with diet and excercise you will feel great as well.
I had a great bikini body in my 20’s and had my first daughter aged 28 which resulted in slight wrinkling above my belly-button. She was 8.5 lbs. After a year I had gained around 14 pounds overall but still had a wrinkly belly button. I was still only 126lbs and happy with my figure. My second daughter weighed 10lbs and I had a huge, silvery stretch-marked bump, even my belly-button completely flattened out. I gained another 14lbs on this pregnancy, so I was 28 lbs heavier overall (140lbs). I hated my stomach which looked like a wrinkly deflated baloon, sagging flesh all around the navel, but I had quite a nice figure with clothes on. I often cried and lost some confidence and thought I would always feel that way about my body. I had two more sons, the last one in 2006 and he was 10lbs 10ozs. My weight fluctuates up and down 14 lbs, depending on how disciplined I am. My belly is slightly wrinkled and actually has very little feeling, I can pinch the skin and feel nothing! But I have come to terms with my body. Even though I have a herniated navel I wont bother with surgery as it isn’t affecting my health. I notice I am more confident when I lose weight and my stomach is flatter (around 140lbs), particularly in front of my husband – who luckily thinks I am a Goddess no matter what! I will never wear a bikini (in public) again, but I buy nicely cut swimwear with cutaway sides, high legs and low backs. I have very pale skin but enjoy a fake tan and wearing pretty outfits, short dresses, low backs etc. I would love a quick-fix solution for my somewhat wrinkly tummy, but I rarely think about it, I’m used to it, I certainly wont put myself through the pain, danger and expense of surgery for something that over time has become so unimportant to me. The perfect body of my twenties is long gone, actually it was a bit bony and most men prefer some flesh to cuddle, I feel fantastic when I weigh around 140lbs, (when my stomach is flatter) less so when I weigh 154lbs and my stomach protrudes and my waist thickens with “muffin tops” over my jeans. I am 42 now and losing weight has become a bit harder, but still nothing to obsess, worry, or be depressed about, Enjoy your life, your kids and your body, life is too short to beat yourself up about it. I have never been “on a diet” but I know how to eat properly and am well aware of when I am being over-indulgent! Exercise can do wonders for toning up legs, arms, etc, but fewer fats and calories are the only thing that work on my mummy tummy! I have toned abs but nobody can see them if they are under a layer of fat! Health is wealth, so ensure you have enough energy in a good diet to look after your family, regular exercise improves tone and posture and heart-health. Being slimmer helps my confidence so I try to “be good”! Oh but I love the occasional bar of chocolate, slice of cake, bottle of wine, second helping, etc…Im only human after allxxxxxx
! Your first picture you have there, you look like a goddess, a figure from times past when mothers and womanhood was worshipped and held dearest. you are beautiful.
My tummy looks similar to you. What I hate about mine is the bit above the pubic area, the skin there. I hate the way I look in cloths too. Don’t know what to wear anymore to hide that and enhance my other assets. You have beautiful curves. I feel your sadness, but be happy because you are not alone:)
im 18, have not had any children,,, from my perspective, your body is heavenly. if i were your lover, i would be all over you. if i were your children, i would love to snuggle up to your soft body. you look like a mother, and that is a sacred thing. i would be proud to have your body.
-meny blessings and love,
-beki
I can’t see your stretch marks in these pictures! And you are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!
I feel that way too. I have two little ones and am short so have a puckered stomach. I have exercised regularly since I was 12 and work hard to stay healthy. I am 34 now. I started to do pushups everyday and my breasts got a lot better! I got a great bra and wear one to bed as well. I never thought they would be good again after breastfeeding two babies, but they are starting to look great again. Yours will too! My stomach bothers me the most. I had diastasis recti and have rib pain a lot. I also broke my back from all the nursing and bone loss so couldn’t exercise for about a year. After all that, I continue to work out regularly and just be the best I can for myself and family. My husband loves my body, but I still can’t get over these changes. My stomach looks a lot like yours and I appreciate your strength for sharing your story and know that we are not alone in these feelings. Thanks for helping me by sharing this. I hope you feel better soon. You will get there! Do some dance parties with your kids and some toning exercises during their snack time. They can learn how to count as you work out. You will see the results and feel so much better.