Age: 26
Number of pregnancies 3, Number of births: 2
Kids ages: 10 and 4 months
4 months postpartum
I was 16 when I had my daughter. Before I had gotten pregnant I was 116 lbs. Quickly after I gave birth, I returned to 116 lbs. I got a few stretch marks and dealt with it. It took years for me to be comfortable in my skin but I was glad that I was able to overcome it. Fast forward 10 year later, I gave birth to my son during my 39th week (my weight peaked at 154 lbs). It was a quick, but grueling labor. My son was born weighing 6 lbs 15 oz (my daughter was 6 lbs 6 oz) so he was kind of small. I remember the day I came home from the
hospital and I had a friend come by to see the baby. First thing she said when I opened the door for her was “You sure you don’t have another one still in there?”
As a new mom I wanted to cry, but I sucked it up. After she left I came to the realization that this weight loss progress isn’t going to be easy. Before I had my son I was 5’2 in height and about 124 lbs. Now at 4 months postpartum I am 130 lbs. I know some people might not think that it isn’t that much, but it
is still a change. Lose skin, stretch marks, uneven breast is what I am dealing with now. For the past few weeks exercise has been my best friend. At times I feel like giving up, maybe cause I am not getting the results as fast as I would like them. I have also started to count calories. That takes a lot of self
control because I still have the appetite of a pregnant woman….I WANT TO EAT EVERYTHING =)
I feel very fortunate that I have a wonderful man in my life. Sometimes I feel ashamed to be naked in front of him. Surprisingly, he doesn’t mind my flaws. He’s always touching and rubbing my stomach. I think as women we are self conscious about our appearance, and I blame the media for that. Beauty comes in
all different shapes & sizes though…..we are all beautiful because we were created by God!
I stumbled across this website through a google search, but I am so glad I found it. I appreciate each and every one of your stories. As moms, we go through many sacrifices but each one of them are worth it. I feel privileged and honored that God chose me to carry HIS kids.
First pic- A month before I got pregnant with my son
Second pic- Me and my daughter, dressed for my baby shower, I was 7 ½ months
pregnant with my son
Third pic- Last picture I took while pregnant with my son
Fourth/fifth pics- 3 weeks post partum
Sixth/seventh/eighth pics- 4 months post partum (The eighth one my stretch marks
are really visible)
Ninth pic- my babies =)
you look great!! love the tattoo!
blessed and tortured
I think your man is acknowledging that you look awesome! You might be your own worst critic because the photos show a gorgeous curvy-but-slim woman’s body. And your baby boy is soooo cute and your daughter a lovely young lady.
Men aren’t as bothered by our bodies as we think they are. My husband finds my body more attractive after having a child. While My breasts aren’t as youthful and perky from breastfeeding our first for 18 months, and my body isn’t as firm he still finds me sexy. He loves confidence and MOST men love a confident woman. If you know how sexy you are and show it, or even fake it you will see how into you they become. I would go out to the pool this last summer about a year and a half after my daughter was born wearing a little victoria secret bikini…While I notices I had that little pooch from my daughter and little white stretch marks on the side of my hips and my breasts weren’t as perky as they once were men were looking at me left and right and women came up to me saying, “That is your baby? I can’t believe you were ever pregnant!” I had to explain to them I gained 61 pounds and was pushing 200 when I went in. I didn’t have a perfect butt like I once had but I was confident and I realized NO ONE ELSE NOTICED or even cared about these things I noticed and looked in the mirror at. They thought I looked good and eventually I really stopped worrying. You’re beautiful and you look beautiful pregnant!
@ Elissa: I love that you emphasized that “no one else really cares!” That is so true. Of course it is important to make ourselves happy, to be healthy, etc., I think we all need a reality check that honestly most people have more on their minds than a microscopic search of your body’s evolution. Sometimes I am in the middle of what I think is “healthy venting” when I realize I am just being self-absorbed and my friends are just being nice.
This isn’t to say that a. the poster doesn’t look amazing, because she does! or b. that this website isn’t a freaking god-send, because it is! But it worries me that there is almost a social obligation to hate your body instilled in women and we have these incredibly creative ways of self-criticizing. I love the Poster’s even handed look at her experience – sometimes we are all ashamed of our bodies, and I think it is mostly because it is natural to be anxious about change, but there are a lot of other areas in our lives than a few stretch marks or whatever.
Your children are adorable (such a cute smile on your son, and a proud look on big sister!) and your shape is naturally so great – tight stomach, strong hips – you are probably adapting really well to exercise :)
You look awesome!! Your kids are adorable :)
I love your post! everything you say represents what Ifeel too ( I’m 3 months pp). You look extremly fine! people keep on telling me this too. But sometimes, I know, its not easy to accept that we dont look like BEFORE! But I am sure, you will still get there. I have a friend (her boy is 6 years now) and she looks perfect, cause she is am aerobic teacher… and she had gained 60 Ibs in her pregnancy! just to tell you, its not impossible, especially with your body structure!
Your belly looks great!!! You know I’m going to be extremely happy if I look that great after my pregnancy!
You look amazing!
You look great! You and I have very similar builds and stomachs. You are sexy!