I have given birth twice so far, once by c-section, and once vaginally. My youngest is 10 months old now, and I’m finally starting to feel happier in my new skin. I have stretch marks, cellulite, sagging breasts, bags under my eyes, and the c-section “flap”. I will probably start a dance exercise program (Zumba anyone?) because I still feel the urge to tone. But my stretched out belly is still beautiful, as my son can attest when he chooses to cuddle with it instead of his daddy. I still feel beautiful all over, because the most precious thing in my life considers me to be the end all of awesome! How can I feel bad about myself when someone so perfect thinks I’m the best EVER?? I honestly can’t. And I breastfeed, so while my breasts are no longer perky, they sustain my precious child and give him comfort. He spends hours a day coming over to me and begging for a sip or a snuggle, and it makes me feel great to be so wanted and needed, regardless of whether other people think I’m too fat.
I’m hoping to be a surrogate this year, so I think I’ll do an update if it’s successful on how I’m feeling about my body after giving someone who can’t have children the gift of life! I’m so excited!
~Age: 22
~Number of pregnancies and births: 2 and 2
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 10 months
giving a life to someone who cannot carry a life of their own is the most beautiful gift in the world. You are a very special and generous women and your way of thinking is inspirational.
You look great, and zumba can be very intense (burning up to 900 calories an hour)! My sister is a zumba instructor and I have taken a few classes, my only suggestion is to stick with one instructor because you will learn their routine and be able to move from dance to dance without having to “pick up” on each move, this will maximize your calorie burning :) Good luck with everything!
i love the way you talk, you are an amazing woman, i hope nothing makes you stop thinking that way and i hope your babies always see how beautiful you are!
You look amazing and I love that you’re going to do surrogacy. I don’t think I could be that brave – pregnancy scares me a little. I’m still building up the inner strength to have baby #2 (my daughter is 3.5). I would love for you to post updates! And remember that pregnancy, not breastfeeding, makes one’s breasts become saggier. Breastfeeding just makes the sag worth it. ;)
Wonderful attitude!
And you look great too.
I think you look great…I have had 2 cesareans, and I have the lovely “apron” too! Yay for breastfeeding! I have been nursing my youngest for 15 months!
Thank you for your lovely comments! I’m sad to report that my surrogacy is a no-go due to my husband deploying and my moving in with family to help out. My son is now 20 months old, and still nurses several times a day. I’m beginning to think he’ll never wean! LOL
Those pictures were taken before I lost 20lbs, but to be honest, I look exactly the same. I can barely see any difference at all! But I can feel it in how my clothes fit, and I’m proud to say after going back to my old eating habits, I’ve still kept it off. I just need another kick in the butt to get started again!
Ziona…you have such a great outlook and you look great also hopefully you will see this…I am almost 23yrs pp from my youngest and have a gorgeous grandson 3yrs from my oldest almost 25 and I also have that darned ol’ c-section flap my weight has yo’yo’d over the years and still with all the exercise no flap be gone…Keep up the positive attitude and hope your husband is safe and back home GOD BLESS HIM…am so glad for this site has given me new hope and inspiration as I deal with weight,stretch marks, saggy boobs,c-section flap :), all while living in pain with Fibromyalgia but your story as with others has given me new inspired hope