In the summer of 2004, I was happier than I had ever been with my body. I’d gained just over 40 lbs. a few years earlier when I went on Depo Provera. Now, almost 2 years after coming off of it, the extra weight seemed to be melting away before my very eyes. I went from a size 11 to a size 8 in only a few months, and I was STILL shrinking! I could wear ANYTHING I wanted, and I loved to show off my flat tummy and nice legs. On November 7, 2004, I found out that I was pregnant. It was completely unplanned pregnancy, and I was single. About a week later, my size 8 jeans, that had been getting big on me, were suddenly too tight. I took my first pregnancy photo at about 10 weeks, and kept on growing! By the end of my pregnancy, I looked like I was having twins, and I had gained close to 90 lbs. At 220 lbs., I could not believe I’d gotten so big. I’d been eating very healthily all throughout my pregnancy, and while I wasn’t on an exercise routine, I was reasonably active, including working TWO jobs for 6 months of my pregnancy! A week after my beautiful son was born, I’d lost about 20 lbs. I didn’t lose another pound until he was almost 6 months old, and started eating solids. Then, I lost 10 lbs. in less than a week. The next time I lost weight was when I went back to work, when he was 11 months old. Again, I lost 10 lbs. in a week. I did some research, and found a link between Depo, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. That link is Progesterone. It seems that it completely slows down my body’s metabolism, so that nearly every calorie I eat gets turned into fat. My son weaned at 14.5 months, and just this week, my milk supply finally stopped. So now, nearly 2 years after my son was born, I am hoping that my body will start to shrink again. However, there is not much that can be done about the extra skin and stretch marks. Being single, it is hard to feel good about my body right now, and I am lacking in self-confidence. Thankfully, this site is making a HUGE difference to me, as are my bellydancing classes! I hope to one day see my postpartum body as a badge of honour for bringing my perfect little boy into the world. No matter what, he was DEFINITELY worth it!
Oh man, when I was reading your story I was waiting for the worst in the pics! You look great, keep doing whatever you’re doing!
WOW! I am so glad I read this post. You just described everything that happened to my body during my first pregnancy! I gained 70 lbs, and it would NEVER come off while I was nursing, and I was eating rather healthy and exercising like crazy!. As soon as I stopped nursing it started to come off… It never went away completely as I got pregnant two more times back to back… but those 2 I never gained weight like I did the first time. I never thought it could be linked to the Depo I had been using prior to my first pregnancy.
THANKS for that!
Your body is so beautiful! I am so jealous of your tiny waistline and your hips! I unfortunately “gave birth” to my hips and butt and they are now gone:(. Rock the tight jeans and be confident, you have every reason to be.
You look gorgeous mama!!! Well done on your darling boy, and I love your curves!!! :)
I’m sorry honey, but your body looks good. You have a beautiful shape, You are worrying over nothing. Celebrate your life, and enjoy your body and the amazing things it can do!
Karenia
Im a single mother aswell i know totally know what you mean about feeling good about your body. You look soo good, thank you for sharing your story!!
I’m the same with the progestorone…It also messes up my periods so I have them all the time…I just weaned my 34 month-old and went on the Yaz pill, so hopefully I’ll lose the weight now…
I think you look absolutely beautiful!!!