Disclaimer: I don’t normally share this kind of stuff, but after blogging about so much of my pregnancy, I figured I owed all you future mommas an honest post about the aftermath…
I’ll be the first to admit, I was curious when I got home from the hospital. I knew I would be at least seven pounds lighter, but decided in the end not to torture myself with numbers. I put the scale away when I was eight months pregnant, and hadn’t touched it since. I was weighed at every doctor’s appointment, where I reluctantly squinted at the number with one eye open and one eye closed.
Truthfully, I was a bit shocked at how quickly the weight fell off once I got home. I expected to look big and swollen for a few weeks but by 10 days post partum, I was feeling pretty confident. Not miniskirt confident, but confident enough to leave the house wearing my awesome belly binder under a cute tank top. That being said, I did step on the scale after four weeks (not a day sooner!), and was pleasantly surprised. Also worth noting: I have not exercised in the slightest aside from short walks around our neighborhood, and I am certainly not dieting (breastfeeding still counts as eating for two, right?).
I still have some pounds to lose, my shorts are too tight, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had a few nervous breakdowns on the floor of my closet during the past few weeks. But all in all, I’m happier with my post-baby body than I thought I would be. I’ve got a legit battle scar and a few stretch marks, but I now wear those with pride. I’m ashamed to admit that prior to getting pregnant, I rarely gave my body the respect it deserved. I often stared at it in the mirror thinking about all the things I would change if I could. Even while I was pregnant, there were days when I truly struggled to see the beauty in my new, rounder shape.
I’m still looking a bit round(er), but there’s also a whole new appreciation that accompanies this current physique. My body grew and sustained A LIFE. Isn’t that amazing?! It is no doubt, one of God’s everyday miracles.
I’m sure I’ll lose the weight soon and eventually fit into my shorts, especially once I start exercising again and stop eating cookie dough ice cream every night. In the meantime, I’ll be staring at this little miracle named Everett and not worrying too much about it, and I’d encourage all of you new mommas and future mommas to do the same.
You go girl! I have so many body issues I often think about this and wonder how I’ll react to it all. I hope with the same confidence as you!
Sarabell´s last [type] ..Check Out This Place 10!
thats the right idea about the pregnacy/baby weight. I wear it with pride but I still want to lose that last little bit. Good luck
Julie@my5monkeys´s last [type] ..Endlessly Book review
you are beautiful. you were such a stunning pregnant woman, and i’m sure you’re even more gorgeous now that you get to actually hold that baby.
love your confidence and your approach to this.
Camilla´s last [type] ..Whole Wheat Waffles Topped With Nutella and Strawberries
Hey Ash –
Love the cartoon!! What’s a few pregnancy pounds? The way you light up every time you look at Everett – it is worth a pound or two!!
Love you, Mom
Ah this was just what I needed to hear! I am 5 months and starting to worriedly gain that weight. Thanks for the encouragement and sweet thought about sustaining a life inside…so true and so amazing!!
Thank you for writing this, it’s exactly the encouragement I needed this dreary afternoon. Closet-meltdowns are becoming so common for me these days, and you’ve given me that reminder of the life I carried to push me through the years. It really is so worth every pound. And for the record, I think you look fabulous!
Ashley´s last [type] ..Cousins Say Hello [& other updates]
*tears, not years!
Ashley´s last [type] ..Cousins Say Hello [& other updates]
I love what you said here: “I’m ashamed to admit that prior to getting pregnant, I rarely gave my body the respect it deserved. I often stared at it in the mirror thinking about all the things I would change if I could. Even while I was pregnant, there were days when I truly struggled to see the beauty in my new, rounder shape. I’m still looking a bit round(er), but there’s also a whole new appreciation that accompanies this current physique. My body grew and sustained A LIFE. Isn’t that amazing?! It is no doubt, one of God’s everyday miracles.”
It’s so true that we often hate our bodies until we appreciate their function (picking up things, running, and in your case, creating A HUMAN!). So glad you could find self-acceptance and briefly share your journey here. Thanks for sharing!
Natalie Lynn Borton´s last [type] ..come on get appy.
this is so sweet and wonderful to read!! it’s hard not to worry a *little* about the after, although i’m sure nothing is more worth it when you see that beautiful baby face
but i hope i’m as pleasantly surprised after baby as you’ve been!
brittany´s last [type] ..flowers and fridays make me happy.
YEAY for you girl!! I know that feeling…and it is so awesome! I was also shocked how quickly I bounced back this time around. I am also totally weirded out that I lost 30 pounds in the FIRST week. I am still baffled but I think I just retained an obnoxious amount of water weight in the end. Here is to you being one hot Momma!
Yes how refreshing. I had twins and have been down about my weight. Natalie Borton sent me your way to read this post and what a blessing to my life it was. I wish at time I can see what my husband sees. He is just enthralled with the rounder me saying “This is where you carried my two very big rascals, how can I not love it.” *tear* I carried my twins to 39 1/2 weeks my daughter was born 7lbs 19 1/2 in and 2 minutes later my son was born at 6.5lbs also 19 1/2 in. Thank you Father for my 2 little blessings and this sweet reminder. Congrats to you!
Wow! You carried your twins farther than I carried my one! That is amazing. Congrats to you, and your slightly rounder body