Age: 23
Numbers of pregnancies and births: 1
Children: 1 awesome daughter, 3 years old
This is who I am and unfortunately I’m not too happy with myself. No matter how much weight I lose, my stomach doesn’t seem to shrink. I’m currently 175 pounds and I plan on getting down to 140. I really hope I see some major changes in my tummy, otherwise that’s really going to suck. I was 19 when I got pregnant and barely 20 when I gave birth to my daughter. Before I got pregnant I was maybe 140 pounds. I got up to 195 pounds right before I gave birth to my daughter, then I gained an additional 20 pounds because I had postpartum depression and I didn’t hardly go anywhere for the first year of her life. I don’t know if I can accept myself for who I am now. I hate my body and I obsess over my stomach all the time. Also, Finding clothes to hide my tummy is a pain in the butt as well. I could honestly care less about my stretchmarks, but the flabby tummy has got to go! Anyways, I’m really blessed to have my daughter and my fiance! My fiance is very supportive and he could care less about my tummy. I wish I could feel the same way. I would post pictures of my daughter and I, but a few friends of mine visit this website and I would be mortified if someone I knew found out how I looked underneath it all…
First of all, I think you look fine but I have a few tips for your concerns about finding clothes: (I feel like everyone would look better if they could just be naked, personally…)
First, it looks like your upper body and legs are quite slim and toned, and that you may have some abdominal separation that is making your tummy stick out a little more. Have you considered a support garment for a short term run? I have talked to a lot of women who found that things like the Belly Bandit (or an ace-bandage) helped a lot in pulling together their abs. I am not sure if you are having any back pain, but it is supposed to help a lot with that too. Plus, it will help your clothes lay flatter and ease some insecurities you might be feeling about how clothes fit.
Second, it seems like fashion has two edges right now – on the one hand, there are a lot more classic cuts and style that are flattering to all body types, and on the other, there is a trend of very short, very tight, very unforgiving fashions. I would look for the former, which you can find at any store (Forever 21, Banana Republic, Target…wherever!) There are so many beautiful empire waist dresses and high structured skirts that are soooo flattering. It seems counter-intuitive, I know, but a very high waisted skirt with strong stitching in the front, can show off your curves in a very, very flattering way. You can wear denim on the weekend, and linen/dense cotton for work. I practically lived in pencil skirts for years!
I don’t, personally, like the idea of hiding our bodies under giant “flowing” shirts – really, the more material, the bigger you are going to look anyway.
I know clothes seem like such a superficial thing, but I also know what a difference finding things that make you comfortable can make.
I hope this helps in some little way, and that you can find things that celebrate your body and make you feel good about yourself :)
I wish you had a different outlook about your body, it did some amazing work, and you should be proud of it. But I can also agree, it can be hard to love your new body, especially when it is so drastically different from the one you grew to love and know before pregnancy.
On to your stomach, after 3 years, it could be flatter. But after battling PPD it could make it harder. However, I am no doctor, but it does appear you could have some stomach muscle issues. It looks like they may have seperated from your pregnancy, it might be something to look into.
Your beauitful and brought, I am sure, a beautiful little girl into this world. Be proud :)
You’ll see major tummy changes if you focus on exercising your core while the weight comes off. Pilates,yoga,only healthy carbs. Also look up some exercises to pull those muscles together. You’re so toned everywhere else, you’ll do great :)
Your body look so much like mine (look under VBAC UBA5C)… I am about 165, looking to be 140, go up to 240 a my highest and have the same kind of tummy. It is a long road to acceptance for me. I am not satisfied yet, but working on it. Sometimes I think it is pretty, sometimes, revolting. Jut work on acceptance while you tone and lose pounds. I did get down to 130 after my first daughter and the stretch marks and flab still looked good :) Good luck!
Besides the tummy skin, it looks like the rest of your body is uber toned/in shape
Good for your for losing that weight!
Target has these tank tops, they’ve got like waist cinching material in the center part, they’re call “Suddenly Slim”
I wear them b/c i have yucky twin skin tummy (even though I only had 1 baby)
They’ve really helped me feel better abt myself while I’ve been working to improve upon it
There are lots of them, Yummie Tummy, Mother Tucker etc
I can relate completely. I had a c-section, and I have M.E. so can’t excercise at all. I’m always being asked when I’m due – and my baby was born 10 months ago. I was a size 6 before his birth, but since having him, and breastfeeding very happily, I’m a 10-12
(12 mostly due to my enourmous belly).
You are singing my song! Our stories are almost the same. I was 19 when I had my son, I was 140 and ended up 198. I was 21 when i had my second son. I was 160 and ended up 198! My stomache looks just like yours. I saw a specialist and he told me it was extra skin and besides a tummy tuck there is nothing I can do. Ugh :( I agree with having a hard time finding things long enough to cover your belly so when you lift your arms your “belly flab” doesn’t show.
Thank you for posting your pictures. Good luck!
why would you be mortified? you are absolutely gorgeous, and you have the most amazing body… you are a mommy… you have NO appologies to make to ANYONE
your body looks very very VERY simalier to mine!!! im 23 and am 8 weeks prego with my 3rd!!. i have a 5 yr old DS and a 16 month old DS.. i feel the same way you do.. im 5’0 and 160lbs.. i am so sacred about what this new pregnancy is going to do to my body that currently looks like yours..its funny cuse i look at your pics i dont think you look that bad.. but then i also know how you feel and for me personally no amount of “you look great” will make me feel any better.. i hope your not like me that way! cause you do look awesome and i hope one day you see that!! and i hoope one day that you get to where you want to be!!!