~Your Age: 26
~Number of pregnancies and births: 2 pregnancies, 2 births
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 8 months pp
~Any key words (second pregnancy, plus sized mom, cesarean, etc): cesarean, VBAC, plus sized, second pregnancy, Hypoplasia, IGT
I have 2 children. They are 19 months apart. The youngest is 8.5 months old in these pictures. I started this pregnancy at 206lbs and now weigh 203lbs. I gained 26.5lbs but lost most of it within 3months. My body however, is not looking the same even though I am lighter now than I was when I got pregnant. I look bigger still even though the scale says I am smaller. I had a c/section with my oldest for “failure to progress” since I didnt know any better at the time. I had a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after c/section) with my youngest…which took a HUGE weight off my chest. My body WAS capable of doing it! I wasnt “broken”!
I currently weigh 203lbs and am a size 16. I started working out 3.5 months ago and was a size 18 and 210lbs. I run 3.5-4 miles at a time, 4-5 days a week and do strength training 4-5 days a week as well. My calorie limit is 1700 a day. It is so frustrating to be doing all this and STILL look like I do. I hate the way I look. I hate the fat overhang that I have. I hate the back fat. I hate the fact that from the side, my boobs and belly fall in one straight line.
I was always active and thin…then I gained a bunch of weight during a stressful time in my life…got pregnant before losing any of it and then got pregnant again when my oldest was only 10 months. I refuse to be in pictures anymore. I just want to cry when I see them, so whats the point?
I hate the way I look. and I hate my stupid, deformed breasts. Not only at they ugly and small, but they dont even work! I am not breast feeding due to Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT – tubular hypoplastic breasts – I only produce about 8oz of milk a day MAX even with all the supplements, prescriptions, pumping, nursing round the clock, etc..). I will never have breasts that dont look deformed…I used to console myself with the fact that they serve a purpose and as long as they can feed your children then who cares what they look like….but I cant even feed my babies!
The first picture is me 3 months pp from my first. The second picture is me at 38 weeks with my second (delivered at 41w5d). The rest were taken at 8.5 months pp from my second.
Wow, good for you for losing 2 dress sizes in 1 month, what an accomplishment! I’m sure your body has changed and will continue to change with all your hard work. Pregnancy’s hard work too, and sometimes changes our bodies in inexplicable ways. I know I will probably never be that 20 year 115 pd girl again, I definitely would have to hit the gym HARD to even come near that. But anyways you look really good and should keep updating on your progress. Strength training is awesome! Oh and you are not alone in your, IGT, my cousin had that, same problems bf as much as she tried. She is still an unbelieveably awesome mom though! Good luck.
It is great that you are starting to run and eat well! Your body must feel so much better already! You run a lot lady! WAY TO GO! You have incredibly smooth skin and NO wrinkles either, beautiful! :)
I think you look really awesome, actually. You are looking healthy! It does take time. Keep taking pictures and you’ll be able to compare and see that you are looking better. Remember: muscle weighs more than fat! :) It’s possible to gain muscle while losing fat and the scale will only say you’ve lost say six pounds. Keep it up! Take pictures. You’ll see. :) You look great! I’m so jealous that you’re able to run 3 miles at a time. I can hardly do ONE mile!
I’m jealous of your smooth skin and perfect belly button!
Maybe you are not consuming enough calories? I say this because I have been seeing a personal trainer and he says I need to eat 2000 calories if I am going to be this active so my body doesn’t hold onto the fat during starvation mode.
I also was told that drinking one gallon of water a day will help shed the pounds better and it has.
I was also told to do high repititions and high weight and not the other way around like I had always been told. Also make sure the heart rate is maintaining stead high exersion point (interval workouts).
Maybe swimming.
It is so frustrating. Try to avoid the scale and get a body comp test instead and gage by clothes and body fat content.
Namaste,
Stacy
You ARE making progress–the complications you’ve had are not your fault and don’t mean you are “broken.” Keep on keeping on… everything you are doing is not only amazing but good for your body! With this much in only a month I’m betting the changes will become more visible to you soon!
I like your shape, you’ve got a nice waist and hips. It looks feminine and sexy!
It sounds like your really dedicated to getting in and staying in shape. I’m so impressed! If you don’t start to see the results you want to on the scale, you may want to have your thyroid checked. It’s possible you have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or some other condition. Best of luck!
Breastfeeding is such a little tiny part of being a mother. Sure it seems big in the begining, but that’s for how many years? Months really, they start to eat solids at less than a year. And you’re a mother for how many years after that? Seriously. My mother breast fed me for two years. I have NO memory of any of that. Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing if it works for you but there are FAR more important things like bed time stories.
honey- take a deep breath and love your body for being the vessel of life for yourself and your babies. i also has troubles breastfeeding and know how easy it is to beat yourself up over not being able to do it. but your body does so much more- so try try try to focus on that! you look sweet and curvy !!
Hey. OMG I totally feel you. I just had a baby 5 months ago and its my first. I’m having an awesome time. I ve always been heavy all my life. I would try to lose weight but I would give up. Until one day I said to myself no more I’m gonna lose it and I lost 65lbs I still needed to lose 30lbs but I was very shocked with myself that I even stuck with it. Shortly after I got pregant. And well I gained 30lbs I actually didn’t look bad pregant but after the baby ewww I’m so disgusted with my body. I gained 20lbs more after the baby and I’m so sad. I ask myself how I did it the first time to lose weight. But I want to congratulate you. Your sticking to it and that’s what counts. Its gonna take time just tell yourself I didn’t gain all this weight in one month why will you lose it in one month. Also read the weight loss cure. And I did isagenix. Its an awesome product but its to expensive for me now. Remember 80 percent is what you eat and 20 percent is what you at the gym. Cleansing your body is very important!! Keep it up girl. I’m still trying to figure out how to start. =D
You look great! You are obviously in great shape and healthy. Keep doing what you are doing for your health. I hate that you don’t like your body, but I promise you that there is nothing wrong with you.
I too am a “bigger” girl and I also run. I actually get a lot of joy out of running in 5Ks and passing “skinny” people. I love to dispell the rumor that you have to be skinny to be in shape. Rock it girl!! Love yourself.
I also have IGT and feel the same way as you do about my breasts. You are not alone, not at all. I was teased as a teen about my breasts and the shape and I have always been very embarrassed about them. I had the same thought, one day they will serve a purpose and they don’t do that either. They aren’t good for anything and I hate them. Thankfully I have a husband who has never made any type of comment about them. Bless you mama!
{{{{huuggsss}}}}}
You have beautiful skin that looks like it was resilient to stretch marks… lucky you!
Thanks for sharing. We look very similar and have similar weight/struggles. Keep it up with the healthy eating habits and exercise. It takes time, but if you are consistent, it WILL work. Now, I just need to take my own advice and hit the gym…. lol
I noticed someone said you had nice skin and I just wanted to say that you DO have beautiful skin. I don’t have any kids, and I HAVE STRETCH MARKS and weigh more than you. So love your body. I think it’s beautiful!
I think you have a beautiful body. Keep up the great work. Don’t get caught up in sizes or weight. You are living a healthy lifestyle and it will pay off in the end.
I got rid of the scale when I was 19 after I became pretty obsessed with looking at it. The only times I was weighed after that was when I was in the military and when I was pregnant at 23 n 24. Gauge by how well you feel, how you notice your clothes fitting, remember muscle weighs more than fat (yup, that’s a fact).