Jessie

I was going to share my belly shots several weeks ago, but chickened out at the last minute. I’ve thought about it a lot since then, and I’ve decided I really want to do this. Before I found this site I really thought I was the only woman out there that had stretch marks like this. They cover my body from nipples to knees, with some as thick as my fingers. I never took any photos of my belly while I was pregnant because I was so ashamed of the way I looked. I gained nearly 80 lbs. with each of my two children. It seemed like my skin was literally being torn apart from the inside.

I’ve lost all the pregnancy weight (my youngest is 2 years old now), and then some, through breastfeeding, diet, and excersice, but I’ve only just started to feel comfortable with how I look. This site has helped me in that department in a huge way. My tummy was affectionately known as the prune-belly in our family, but I always thought my stretch marks looked more like the tracks a snail makes in the sand at the bottom of a lake. So to all you other tiger-bellies, and zebra-bellies, I add my snailtrack-belly. The marks of motherhood are echoed all around us.

–Jessie

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5 thoughts on “Jessie

  • Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 11:10 am
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    You look great agter having 2 babies! My belly looks just like that, as well as my thighs and breasts…thank you so much for sharing your pictures and story

  • Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 8:03 pm
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    Believe it or not, your story and pictures are very encouraging to me. I gained almost 80 pounds during and after both my kids were born, and am finally losing it little by little. I’ve been afraid of what I might look like after the weight is gone with the possibility of extra skin, but you look beautiful. I hope I look anything near as good as you if I get there someday!

  • Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 8:04 pm
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    zebra-belly! I love that!I’m also making peace with my stripes. Thanks for the pix. :)

  • Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 8:44 pm
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    You look great! Your stomach is so flat. I am 9 months pp with my 2nd and just can’t seem to get my flat tummy back!

  • Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 3:33 pm
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    I haven’t had any children yet and I envy your flat tummy! I think you look GREAT!

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