I am Jen and I am 30 years old. I have an 8 year old son and 6 month old twin girls! They are awesome kids and they make me smile every day. Of course having twins is not something that everyone plans. I found out that they were twins when I was only 6 weeks pregnant. Of course I was overjoyed but scared to death also. I have been a genetically thin person my whole life, but a few years back I got into working out and eating healthy and my body changed from being thin to being muscular and strong. I loved it. I was a very active person before my pregnancy. I had great abs and I was scared that I would never see them again. I wanted healthy babies of course, but I didn’t want to gain a bunch of unneeded weight. My doctor told me that it was ok if I continued to workout during my pregnancy not exceeding a lifting amount of 20lbs. I stayed within his rules of course for my babies’ safety. Naturally, before pregnancy, I worked super hard for my body and health and was really scared of the after effects of carrying twins. I had never had twins before and yes everyone had to tell me their after baby body horror stories. I knew right away I was going to deliver via c section. I had a hard birth with the first and a horrible episiotomy. I knew I didn’t want to go through that again and it was safer for the babies. Everyone told me about how I better kiss the bikini body goodbye because c sections cause a lifelong potbelly that cannot be fixed. I am not the type to listen to this stuff because just because it happened to them does NOT mean it will happen to me. I lotioned every single day, up to 8 times a day towards the end. I only carried my twins to 33 weeks. I gained a total of 17 lbs and the babies were very healthy!! They came early due to a membrane rupture. I held them in for 10 days after my water ruptured. They did have a NICU stay but it wasn’t for long. They were just tiring out while eating. I want to tell women that I am just an average Jane. I am nothing special, not a celebrity. I want women to know that you don’t have to be a celebrity to have a bikini body after babies. I want to be an inspiration to eat healthy not only for your benefit but for the baby as well. My c section recovery was very quick. I was super sore for 72 hours. I went back to the gym after 2 and a half weeks. I did not work abs because my doctor told me it wasn’t safe just yet. After my 6 week check up he gave me the ok to go back to abs. It was hard at first but I kept at it and my core strength came back stronger than ever. I’m 5 foot 8 and weigh around 127 now. I did not get any stretch marks with either pregnancy due to tons of water, tons of lotion and good collagen genetics. Before pregnancy I was 135. I feel great being able to run after my 8 year old and catch him! I enjoy being able to run around like a crazy person aka mom of twins, and have lots of energy. I want my children to see me working out and follow in my footsteps on the healthy road the way I did with my dad, who was a competitive power lifter during my childhood. I love living a healthy lifestyle! I couldn’t feel better!!
Number of pregnancies: 2 and 3 births
First photo is 3 weeks pp, 2nd photo is 32 weeks pregnant vs 8 weeks pp and the last photo is 6 months pp!
You look very good and your dedication to fitness is admirable!
Do bear in mind, though, that many–if not most women–do not have your good genetics and will not bounce back as quickly. Some do not have the resources to a) go to the gym and b) if they do, have time for the gym. Just wanted to point that out for ladies who might feel depressed if they don’t spring back in the same way! This is coming from a thin, fit girl, too.
I have a six year-old daughter and twin one year-old sons. I had a c-section with both pregnancies. I am also genetically thin and live an active, healthy lifestyle. I also delivered my twins after 33 weeks. However, my experience with my body has not been the same as yours. Having twins in the NICU for 10 weeks while I tended to my own difficult recovery and my daughter was extremely challenging. Going to the gym was out of the question and remains so to this day. Who is going to watch my twins while I go to the gym? If I can get a sitter, I use that time to run errands, or take my daughter to her girl scout meetings. My priorities are caring for my family and my home and that leaves me with no time for getting my body back into prepregnancy shape. I suppose my priorities are different than yours, and kudos to you for being so healthy. But articles like this only put more pressure on mothers to “get back into shape” instead of allowing us to honor the work our bodies have done and allowing us to be authentically beautiful. When I look in the mirror, I see a jiggly belly that may never be flat again and large dimpled thighs. But I also see a mama who works hard each day to make her home a safe and loving place to be. That’s the accomplishment that I am most proud of.
33 weeks is pretty early. Sure keeping a healthy weight is very important, but I don’t know too many doctors that would recommend a 17 pound weight gain for a low-moderate underweight woman to begin with. Early membrane ruptures are often due to diet and nutrition and building a strong sac. I know in my pregnancies I was seeking a healthy baby, and a healthy body for myself, but to me you seem a bit hyper focused on what you didn’t want and what you didn’t get (brig a saggy body, riddled with stretch marks). I personally focus on what I do want and what I did get (a complete reality shift it what it means to be a mother, what it means to be sexy and happy just the way I am, whatever that is).
It seems that anytime a mother makes it a high priority to take the best care of herself possible, other women make make remarks that seem subtly rude or snide. I see nothing wrong with what you’re doing. You have more to offer your family when you’re in optimal health. These women don’t know you and to suggest that you are perhaps being selfish is ridiculous. If more mothers made themselves a top priority, they’d be more energetic and also be setting a better example for their kids. You don’t need to have a gym membership and expensive food in the pantry to live better, more active, and be a better example. There is always a way to do that.
Every BODY is different, but having kids is no reason to eat poorly and neglect exercise.
I think your article is inspirational, anyone who disagrees is likely in a battle with their own insecurities.
You are AMAZING, keep it up Mama!
You go girl! You look amazing. I’m a thin mom too, but its all genetics. I exercise when I can & love having to energy to keep up with my two boys. I think its sort of sad that someone would imply that working out & your body are a priority over your children. Every mom is different, no one can tell us what sort of mother we are but our children. You my dear look phenomenal. Its nice to see another positive & motivated entry on here.
17 pounds seems extremely low for a normal pregnancy let alone twins, however you look great & your hard work has paid off!
Its very interesting reading these comments. Until about a year ago a post like this would have triggered some uncomfortable feelings and insecurities in me. It just doesn’t now though because I deeply know that how you look just doesn’t matter at all when you feel really loveable and great about who you are. And I know that being healthy and taking good care of yourself doesn’t translate directly into a thin “hot” body for most women and that really good men don’t care whether the women they love have pot bellies or stretch marks. I love seeing the women around me, of all shapes and sizes, loving and accepting themselves and having that reflected in deeply honouring relationships with men. Having said that I do find women who prioritise self care to be inspiring if they are motivated by self love and feeling great. I love reading about how great you feel and full of energy and that you do for yourself what you need to do to feel great. Thank-you so much for sharing that. It is so easy for women to put themselves last and I don’t believe that serves anyone. I’m also quite “selfish” about my self care. Perhaps the potential for trouble in your post lies in the perceived focus on looking good. To me that’s kind of a bonus and not the goal of self care. And I know its really important to acknowledge that great self care looks totally different on different bodies and that you can still do it even with stretch marks, loose skin etc and that every body is a bikini body if its owner feels great about herself.
I’ve never met a doctor alive that would endorse work outs two weeks after a c section. To anyone reading this: DON’T do that! I think that’s a terrible thing to even come on here and suggest. It’s been six weeks for me and I’m still not cleared to do the elliptical until eight weeks! And I’m an athlete…
33 weeks is early to have babies. Most of the “body damage” and weight gain comes after that point. There are lots of women who live healthily who will not experience these results. Please don’t beat yourselves up.
A medically unadvised weight gain and irresponsible pp workouts are not something to come on here and suggest. It seems your priorities may have been vanity cloaked in the guise of health.
I gained 35 lbs with my 42 week singleton and nary a stretch mark to be found but I get to wake up with the last twelve pounds of baby weight until a MEDICALLY RESPONSIBLE date to resume exersice.
I agree with what other women have said here. While I applaud your passion for working out, as I love running and interval training, I also think you gave some bad or misleading information here.
First, I think 17 pounds for twins is hardly recommended. I also think it’s dangerous to begin working out so soon after a c-section, and I also believe 33 weeks is really early to give birth.
You say you didn’t get stretch marks due to drinking enough water and lathering on lotion… I did these things, too, and I have a zebra belly. I just feel the overall tone of this post is meant to be encouraging, but it comes across as a little obsessive in the fitness department instead.
Wow, I love all the bashing. I am in no way suggesting that anyone do anything like I did. And I love the accusations that my membrane rupture was a fault of my own, when my doctor told me it was not. I happened to eat 6 to 7 times a day while pregnant. I consumed around 3,000 calories that were rich in proteins, fat and carbs, which is FAR from poor nutrition.I felt great after my c section and was told after my staple removal which was 10 days later that I could do light workouts when I felt up to it, but if I felt any discomfort then stop. I healed up just fine. Twins come early for the most part, so I suppose I am failure as a mother because my body just couldn’t go 40 weeks. I went 42 weeks with my son. It’s not exactly something that I can control. I only gained 11 pounds with my son and he was 7.6 so I guess I should have gained over 100 to have a healthy child?? Well my body doesn’t work like that. I also spend plenty of time with my children, I work out in my own living room while they nap, I see nothing wrong with this. I take them to the gym with me as well, on occasion. I feel like if someone is comfortable in their own skin, then to me, that’s what SUCCESS is. And thanks for the few kind words.
Jen, I’m sorry that you’ve been attacked on a website that’s meant to be supportive. You were offering up your story, not implying that anyone that had a different experience was doing something wrong. I know some people simply do not have the resources to exercise, or have health problems that prevent exercise, or simply have other priorities and that’s fine. However, you obviously LOVE to exercise and enjoy the workout as well as the results. A lot of people are going to jump to the conclusion that you must be OBSESSED simply because you’ve found something that you’re deeply committed to and brings you joy. Interestingly, men don’t typically get this same kind of scrutiny. They can work out to there heart’s content and nobody bats an eye, whether they are a father or not. But should a woman make exercise a priority, watch out, lots of “judges” are gonna weigh in on her actions! Worse yet, I’ve personally found that other women are often the most scolding. I think we need to focus more on solidarity and holding one another up. Thank you for sharing your story!!!
You do look beautiful. There is no denying that! You have worked hard and you have incredible dedication. 17lbs. seems low but I only gained 12lbs. with my second baby. He was 9lbs. 2oz.! I ate very well in spite of nausea. I walked a lot during my pregnancy but all I did was sweat. My metabolism went nuts! If your doctor is alright with your weight gain then it’s all good. Your membrane rupture was NOT your fault. I do know a few ladies who have had C-sections and they were told to wait longer until resuming their regular exercise. 10 days after a C-section seems awfully soon to give the okay but given your level of fitness prior to your pregnancy then your doctor must have known that you know what a light workout means and that you would know when to stop if you needed to. I think that your dedication is commendable. I am frustrated that I don’t have the circumstancial or financial resources in order to dedicate more time to my physical well-being. I eat well and drink lots of water. I have a dog so I walk with him and the kids everyday but I live in a place where I have no family and no close friends – no support system. I can’t afford a lot of babysitting or a gym membership/home equipment. My husband works out of town for 2 weeks out of every 3. I do what I can to stay healthy but I am a one woman show almost all the time. It leaves very little time and energy for working on me. When my husband is home I try to get in a workout and I try to pick up the pieces of my sanity! I do my best though no matter what. You say you workout at home? What do you do if you don’t mind me asking? I have to say, you have skin like Elastic Man! Holy cow! Lotion and lots of water do help a lot but you got lucky for sure! One last note – your babies are so precious! They’ll grow up healthy with a mother like you.
Some people are soooo negative, I can almost feel the jealousy rolling off the page with these comments. Poster – you look BEAUTIFUL! I am happy for you! My struggle has been different, I have three kids, have always had a really nice shape, I am african american and I am petite, but curvy, thick in the butt, I am 5’7 and about 160-165 but very toned and I wear a size 6. I am very happy with this, I come from being 185 lbs after the baby, he is now 10 mths old and I didn’t start working out until he was almost three months old. Natural birth, but still just so sore and tired from having a 10 lb baby and then two other boys to care for. I love my family and I cater to them, but I also want to feel sexy and good when I look in the mirror, I want my husband to look at me and see some semblance of the woman he married, it’s important to keep up with ourselves as well women. Yes we have children, home, etc, but for those who are married with children, ask your spouse to help you so you can go run at the park, you do not have to go to the gym! I run, I lift weights, I do zumba,my husband rushes home from work to get the kids so I can go because he loooooves to see the results, he loves to see his wife/mother of his kids is still his sexy wife who can wear lingerie and heels for him and be as sexy as ever. It’s important to care for our kids and home, but don’t forget yourself, your desires as a woman and to also still cater to your man as well. Seems its being forgotten a lot while we try to say that the dimpled thighs and hanging belly is fine because it grew a child and I am staying just like I am! Well if you can work on that, then why not? It doesn’t make you less of a mother. Just my opinion. Once again poster you are beautiful and you work for it, even with good genes, I have good genes too, we still have to work. Now I know your hubby has his chest stuck out that you gave him three babies and you still look sooooo good! Way to go!
It is undeniable that you look absolutely incredible! In must admit, when I first read your post, I found it a little condescending to those who might struggle with their weight and I had negative feelings towards you. But, I realized it was my own insecurities that were causing me to feel that way. Your hard work and dedication to diet and exercise is very admirable and you should be confident and proud! As a fellow mother of preemie twins (31 weeks for mine, 30 lb weight gain, and I did have “body damage” even delivering that early), it is difficult for me to think that someone would imply that their early arrival was due to neglect on my part. Both my health and the health of my babies was very closely watched by multiple doctors with ultrasounds every 2 weeks starting at 20 weeks. I cannot speak to your pregnancy, but it seems like you were closely monitored as well. And the results are your two beautiful, healthy baby girls! This website is a place for ALL mothers to share their history and post-baby shape, even those with ridiculously rockin’ bods! I am sorry that you were met with criticism.
Good job to you is what I say! You are fit and fabulous! My story is rather similar to yours, although I did not have twins! I stayed fit and kept eating healthy during pregnancy and am now in the best shape of my life. To be honest, any bashing you get should be completely overlooked, I hate this new thing on the internet about having double standards and saying it’s awful to fat shame people but at the same time are super easily offended by a woman who’s proud of her fitness acomplishement.
Thanks guys for the kind words. I had PP depression really bad because my babies were not in my body anymore and not in my arms for about 4 weeks, and exercise was my way of channeling anxiety and depression out of my body and mind. My doctor knew I was depressed but I didn’t want medication. He knew I wouldn’t overdo it and injure myself, I knew my limits and how I was feeling. I was still in the NICU to see my babies two, sometimes three times a day EVERYDAY. I was very closely monitored throughout my pregnancy. I had a steady gain and my belly was measuring 5 weeks ahead of what I was which is perfect and my babies were measuring perfect so there were no concerns as far as weight gain. There were no reasons for me to stop exercising during my pregnancy. Everything went as planned. When I got the rupture I was actually getting up out of bed… NOT skydiving or in a boxing ring. I am absolutely not saying that anyone should try to only gain 17 lbs during a pregnancy. Everyone is so different.This was just what happened with me. @SARA As far as exercising, I realize that people can be limited financially and time wise. I have no family where I am and my husband is gone a lot with his job so it does become difficult. I get on youtube and there is a series of workouts made by FitnessBlender. They range from beginner to advanced some are 15 minutes all the way up to 88 minutes long. Some need hand weights, while others do not. I also have the P90X DVD’s that I do from time to time. Those are pricey but my husband got them from someone cheaper. Youtube is literally full of routines from Tabata, HIIT, low impact cardio, yoga, pilates, you name it!! Give it a try and I know you will find something you really like and then you will stick with it. I do have to deal with the judgement of being OBSESSED but in reality, I spend an hour a day about 4 to 5 days a week working out. I think as a full time student and mother I have earned my one hour a day of my time.
Jen I think we have a right to come back on the defense since your entire post is sort of shouting “well I did it so why can’t you?”
It was more the self righteous tone that was off-putting.
It’s something called tact and sensitivity, there are a lot of genetically not so blessed women on here and you may not realize it but your post would make them feel worse. If we wanted to see women totally bragging about their pregnancy dysmorphia and workouts instantly after c-sections we’d buy a copy of People.
Thanks Jen! I will absolutely check that out. It’s a struggle to fit in time for ourselves, isn’t it!? You are entitled to an hour a day for you. We all are. I know I feel better when I get that time. I have to tell you that while it’s true that you have some very good genes on your side, the work that you have put into being fit and healthy cannot be overlooked. If I were pregnant with twins and I had been hearing about how I was about to become the human equivalent of a potato, I would be so overjoyed to read your post. What I wonder is, would people be so offended and put-off by your post if you were say, covered in stretchmarks and had cellulite and still had a few extra pounds? I don’t know. Take away the photos of you looking smokin’ hot in a bikini and what would people say? Everyone is entitled to their reaction. No criticism from me either way.
Jen you obviously look amazing, no one is denying that. I think what rubbed people the wrong way was the bragging sort of tone of your post.
I think you look great !!! I sense a lot of jealousy from some posters. I do not see this ” bragging” tone in her post. I see confidence and dedication. This helps me realize I can get my body back. Yea I will have stretch marks but one day I can comfortable in my skin. My son is three months old I have started running and doing some weight lifting. My son keeps me busy and sometimes I feel exhausted. I will Keats try and fit a run and a walk in. After my run or walk I get a kick of energy and I feel great. I’m truly happy for you !!!
Thank you for sharing your story. I found it inspiring. I believe it’s important to show the full spectrum of women’s bodies and this site gives us that platform.
Our stories are all different, as are our bodies and we all react differently to pregnancy. I think it’s great you are working so hard to take care of yourself and your family. And with an 8 yr old, twin babies plus exercising, you must be working your butt off! You look awesome. Take good care and be well:)
I know I already posted but seeing the other comments I feel the need to post again! There is absolutely nothing wrong with anything you said in your post! People insist on saying people like us are “genetically blessed” because of the way we look but that’s also discrimination. I rarely get offended but I can’t stand people who tell a woman that clearly worked her butt off to get back into shape that she shouldn’t be allowed to share her story or try to diminish her acomplishements by calling her “genetically blessed”. Let it be known that getting back into shape isn’t easy for any of us, it comes with a lot of sacrifices. I would never permit myself to judge a woman who didn’t make working out a priority but I do think having a steady work out regimen is definitely a great way to get in shape as well as promote a healthy life style to your children! So basically, rock on!!! You look terrific and seem to have a great life style that your kids will surely benefit from!
Jen, you look amazing and you earned it. Cannot see anything wrong with having some time without kids. Spending 24 hours with baby is not for everybody and everyone is different. If Heather is happy this way, good for her, but why be mean to other mums who see it differently? I also am much happier when get some private time just for myself and sneak out to excercise…
Yes, some girls are not indeed blessed to bounce back to their pre-pregnacy body, some will never look quite the same. I may be the second group as my breasts are definitely saggier than before and 7 month after C section I am FAR from being happy with my belly/thights, yet I dont find the tone of voice cruel and too braggy at all. Well done for you, Jen, I find your post inspirational.
I don’t care one bit if a woman goes to the gym after a medically recommended time or even a non medically recommended time as long as she doesn’t go on public forums and post her (admittedly) perfect bod…see that makes impressionable people want to go out and work out after two and a half weeks after major abdominal surgery… Because if she did it and looks great, then hmmm, must be a great idea! But it’s not!!! Two weeks is TOO soon!!! Maybe not for Jen but for 99.99999% of women!
Also, read this link issued by the American Pregnancy Association on weight gain in multiples where it clearly states that a weight gain under 24 lbs by 24 weeks increases risk of preterm labor. https://americanpregnancy.org/multiples/weightgain.html
If you had come on here and said your loss was a result of normal, medically recommended diet and exersice I wouldn’t be so vocal. Women shouldn’t be encouraged to defy medical guidelines in the hopes of a prize body like yours. That’s all I’m trying to say.
What I think is problematic os that it seems to be totally accepted to blame a woman who gains under the recommended amount of weight for unresponsible behaviour, yet, woman who gained 50+ pounds are supported and encouraged here. Actually if the poster had commented on a post of a woman who put on 70 pounds that this is unhealthy and that she puts her baby for nultiple health risk (which is also a fact) there would have been 1000 angry responses…Bashing those who gain a ton (and SOME of them, but not all, from mindlessly stuffing their faces) is a no-go here while fit and lean moms (SOME, but not all, snapping back from eating overly restrictive and/or overexercising while pregnant) need to weight every word in order not to insult those whoe are less blessed when it comes to how their bodies recover from pregnancy.
I would be curious to know what your nutrition & diet are? I’m trying to lose the last 10 pounds of baby weight that won’t budge!
Wow. I read the comments first before reading the post. I was getting ready to read the post and expecting some horrific story with (as you all say) bragging and condescention. Excuse me but…ladies…what are you talking about???
I saw NONE of this in this woman’s post!
Look….you never know what it is that causes bodily changes after birth. PERIOD. I know people who ate perfectly, lathered up, worked out, meditated, weighed 115lbs their entire adult life and ended up overweight, covered with stretch marks, and had irreversible health problems….for the rest of their lives.
I also have known women who were never skinny, ate junk food, never worked out, used lotion, etc and came out SKINNIER than before, no marks, no health issues nothing!!!
Yes, maybe she thinks all this is due to her working out and using lotion etc but let’s face it….it’s MOSTLY genetics. Yes you can ADD extra weight by eating bad food, being sedentary etc but if THAT was the determining factor for looking perfect shortly after birth then virtually NO ONE would look like they gave birth because rarely do women completely neglect themselves during and after pregnancy. I believe that everyone has the BEST of intentions and wants to take care of themselves AND their child. Unfortunately, you won’t find out what kind of genetics you have for child birthing until you do it.And when it happens, everyone wants to come up with an explanation as to why theirs came out as it did.
I know it is upsetting to see other women bounce back like this and we want to also come up with reasons why it happened but please, it happens with women who DO gain a lot of weight during pregnancy and also with women who DO carry the baby to term ok?
She followed the advice that her doctor gave to her per HER body and HER health.
Please get off her back about it.
I believe that this is distressing to see for us who do not have bodies like this (I never did even as a teenager by the way) but I do not think that she meant to hurt or offend anyone.
Lastly, think about this….if this happened to you? If THIS were you? YOU WOULD BE ECSTATIC AND WRITE THIS TOO!!!!!!!
Any by the way @Heather….
Who is to say that the poster defied medical guidelines?? And who are you to define them for her? And by a link from the American Medical Association? Do you even know who they are? We could post links all day from internet sites that don’t mean squat to me. Who started the “associations” that we read advice from. How are they funded? What is their agenda? How about researching THAT instead of googling something and pasting the link before using some critical thinking skills.
And if you took a Statistics class or two in college you would know better than to cite things like “99.99999999999%” and quote from people, of whom’s origins you know not of AND, most importantly, you would know better than to confuse CORRELATION with CAUSATION.I could easily google “Who is the American Pregnancy Association” and paste all kinds of thing but I won’t because it still will not have merit.
Lastly, the thought that because this woman simply stated her experience and it didn’t fit what you define as proper care of herself it will cause droves of women to go against their doctor’s orders, starve themselves, workout before they should and give birth prematurely is ludicrous.
This is a forum for all to come and express their experiences and should be done so without judgement.
Please STOP googling “Pregnancy Guidelines” and START googling “FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS”.
@Jen – Congratulations. Your twins look beautiful and healthy as do you. I will never look like you but if I did I would also feel happy and even proud.
All best…
I did not find your post offensive in the least. I am not understanding the attacks you are getting. I will say that you did not gain very much during your pregnancy…but all of our bodies are different, and your twins look healthy to me! Am I slightly jealous of your body? Of course :) But I recently had a VBAC2 (just 12 days ago)…so I feel like a super hero, stretch marks, loose skin, scar and all! Got off topic there, because being able to have a vaginal delivery after 2 cesareans was awesome! Anyway, you look great. I am happy for you. I hope to tone my body soon. I will wait the full 6 weeks though because I am terrified of hurting myself :)
I don’t know, I took her tone as telling people not to be terrified when they find out they are pregnant with twins and the importance of doing what YOU are comfortable with, rather than assuming everyone else’s experience is the be-all end-all, listening to their horror stories and taking up a defeatist attitude. Remember the whole reason we go to doctors is because they can appraise what is ideal for each individual rather than just blindly following the average or typical experience: There are always outliers when it comes to human health, remember. In any case (unless we’re talking about street drug abuse or something) it is extremely rude to suggest going into premature labor with twins was her fault, considering the average duration of a twin pregnancy is only 35-36 weeks and she was quite small to begin with. Gaining a ton of weight probably wouldn’t have kept them in there any longer if her muscles were still too firm too allow extra stretching and just led to other issues. Most importantly, mother and all her babies are healthy, so obviously following her instincts was a good decision. I know it can be frustrating and jealousy-inducing to see women who can look as good as Jen a few weeks after having healthy twins, but being catty about it or suggesting she is wrong for it is totally opposite to what this site is about. We don’t criticize overweight mothers for potentially harming their babies, how is this any different?
Very well said lliona225…..thank you.
I don’t know. I’m clearly not the only one offended, as per the comments. I’m just being the most vocal about it. Listen to her post again – she talks about weight gain and stretch marks as these HORRORS – as a badge of failure – how is a person to react that has these things? I cried after reading this. I already feel a huge wagging finger from society at my body and this post was a huge trigger.
You’re right, the double standard exists re: the medically advisable weight loss. You can’t win. But in this case it wasn’t really just her body doing its thing, it sounded like her body doing its thing under a hyper-focused diet and exersice regime. 17 lbs is just too low for such a small person. I’m a nurse, not a statistician.
And as a nurse I know that ten days is just not enough for a human body to heal a permeated uterus… Unless your bionic? It just isn’t. I think she dodged a bullet there, I can’t beleive she didn’t hurt herself.
And there is a generally accepted opinion in medicine that low weight gain in pregnancy can cause complications. That’s not my opinion, it’s the generally accepted opinion of North American medicine. So don’t yell at me like I wrote the guidelines. There are deviations from the mean, but like 17 lbs. isn’t even enough for the weight of the babies, blood, placenta, etc.
The bottom line is that I should obviously get some help mentally accepting myself and I should say sorry to Jen. So sorry Jen. But I do think that maybe you received some poor medical advice, and I hope you do examine and deal with whatever dysmorphia has you convinced that stretch marks and fat are life ruining.
Hi!
I am a women who loves to work out, and I just found out I am pregnant! I would love to hear more about your regimen, as I think you are an inspiration. If you can pass along more info on your regimen, that’d be great. Thanks for the you tube stuff!