My name is Sydney, I am 21 years old with a wonderful 4 month old daughter.
I gained about 65 pounds during my pregnancy, and after my c-section, I felt so sick that I could barely move or eat, and I lost a lot of the weight. Now that I am fully recovered I have gained it all back, and then some. Sometimes I look down and think I might still be pregnant!
Since I can remember, I have had major self-esteem and body image issues. And I have to say, that most times I feel ugly. I am a single mother, and I worry a lot about finding someone now. The thought of someone seeing me naked keeps me awake at night sometimes. But after looking through the lovely photos on this site, and reading the amazing stories, I looked in the mirror, and thought ‘maybe I am beautiful, too…’
And maybe, if I can believe that I am beautiful, and love my body after all, I can teach my daughter to do the same.
Sydney, it’s only been four months and I think you look great!((((Hugs))))
It took me a while to adjust to life with baby… Only after I was able to adjust to all the changes was I able to work diet and exercise into my daily routine. (And lemme tell ya, at four months PP… I didn’t look nearly as good as you do in your pics!)
You can do it!
Don’t worry about finding someone!!! I’m 34 and have a belly that is twice as bad as yours is…and also a single mother. I have a wonderful boyfriend, but when we broke up for awhile last year I had NO problem finding dates. A lot of men love what motherhood does to your body-you would be surprised. And yes, a lot of them were younger (25, 25) **blush**
You look great!!
My youngest is 3 1/2 years old and I wish my belly looked like your’s. It can take awhile, not everyone “bounces back” I know I’m still waiting for it to happen to me
Yes! You *are* beautiful!
I’m a single mother too (just had my first child last June & I’ll be 40 on March 1) and I know JUST how you feel Sydney!!
I’ve had body issues my whole life, even when I was a svelte size 6. Now that I’m getting older and have had a baby, nothing is where it used to be.
My daughter weighed 11 pounds 6 oz. at birth and was 23.5″ long. I only gained 36 pounds during my pregnancy, but was heavy when I got pregnant (200 pounds), so it all took a toll on my body, particularly my belly
I swear I still look pregnant and I can’t imagine a man ever thinking I’m sexy or attractive again. Hang in there gal, hopefully with sites like this we’ll get through it together!
You look beautiful!
You are beautiful! Believe it!
Don’t be down on yourself. You are beautiful. To top off you beauty your body has done a wonderous thing, it has created and nurtured a little person. How magnifiscent!
I am a 29 year old divorced mother of a 3 year old. I am short and overweight, I have large purple and blue stretch marks all over my stomach. I was sure that no man would ever want me.
Guess what, it isn’t true! There are lots of wonderful men out there that will love you for *you* just the way you are. My significant other thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world, stretch marks and all. He thinks I am even more beautiful because I have brought a life into the world.
Don’t sell yourself short, out there in that big somewhere is a wonderful person just waiting for destiny to match you up. When you least expect it it will happen. I promise.
Wishing you love and peace
looks like my belly (before my recent pregnancy,im about 31 weeks right now)! it gets so tiring hearing ppl talk about how a body is suppose to look like it did before the pregnancy. this is traumatic for the body to go through so ofcourse its gonna change. i wish more ppl would understand that. wear your marks/belly with pride,not every woman can say they did such wonderful things with their body.
I feel the same way you do . I have 2 boys by c section. My oldest is 5 years old and my baby boy is 3 months. I still look like i am 3 months pregnant. I look in the mirrow and just cry i use to be 115lbs befor i had my 1st boy now im 164lbs i was 137 befor baby #2. But i have to remember that 2 beautiful babys came from that belly and that small scar… It was well worth it for my 2 little men. hold your head high we are all beautiful….
I think you look great. Being pregnant is a wonderful experience and all the markings that we get are service stripes to the most incredible thing a woman can endure. Show them proud. You look beautiful! ((HUGS))
You look EXACTLY Like i do now. MY son was born 7 months ago and i am just now working out and getting back into the sweat of things. But u are literally how my body looks, like when u wear clothes u still look like 5 months preg. I HATE THAT…im glad to see someone looks like me.
youi definately are still beautiful, and someone who loves you will care less about what your belly looks like and will understand it looks that way because you are a beautiful woman and that you brought a life into this world.i think my body looks very very alike to yours and it was nice to see the pics you posted. know that you deserve the best and dont settle for anything less! you are beautiful!