The Postpartum Body (Weight Loss & More)

This is a tough subject to write about. It's tough personally, too. How many of you are struggling with your weight, shape, or size after birth? Yeah, join the club.

I shed MOST of the weight, but there is a still a little bit hanging on that stubbornly won't move. When I was breastfeeding, I kept hearing the the weight just falls off. It didn't. Then I heard that many women don't lose until after they stop breastfeeding. It still held on. Now, I eat relatively healthy. I don't buy all organic or eat enough veggies, but I cook just about every day and make sure the carb/protein/veggie ratio is about right. But I don't avoid desserts when we're out, and I occasionally splurge on a Starbucks drink. Even better, I'll enjoy a beer with my husband or margaritas with the girls. I've always embraced the phrase "Don't be so healthy that you're no fun to be around". 

Now, this is no jab at those who choose a healthier lifestyle that what I do, it's simply getting my own thoughts out on paper (or computer...whatever). When I can talk through something, I come out with a clearer head and feeling more confident. I do workouts when I can, but honestly sometimes I am so tired from attempting to run a SUPER busy household as smoothly as possible! Sometimes the last thing I want to do is workout- I would prefer sitting on my couch and watching FRIENDS, because I just spent two hours ironing every piece of clothing my husband owns- while trying to keep the baby from pulling on the cord...Sometimes I just want to relax! There. I said it. I'm also not willing to lose precious time with my daughter or husband. And this is with one child. For those of you who have more, God bless your little souls.

My good friend Abbey just gave birth 10 days ago to her 5th baby. And what a beautiful, perfect, inspiring birth it was. I love what she has always told me. In my own words, she said "Kids don't want a mommy with a hard body. They want a mommy that they can cuddle into and squish into and climb up on a warm comfy lap. They want your arms and chest to be soft enough to use as pillows". She is a healthy woman, and she knows that there is plenty of time to get a 'perfect' body once her kids are bigger. And she's not beating herself up over her 10-day postpartum body...right Abbey???

I do plan on having more children. That is no excuse to not be healthy or active or "in shape", but it is a realization that my body will change again, many times, as it creates children, carries them, delivers them, nourishes them, chases them, etc. I don't want my mind, or yours, to have a 'perfect' body in mind, because it may disappoint us as it changes to cater to little human beings.

My husband has always said that he is not ever interested in plastic surgery. He still says this, 8 years later, and with a wife who has a very different body than the 17-year-old he fell in love with. Because of this, I know that this is my NEW body. He loves me for who I am. He wants me to be healthy and active, and we have decided that we want to teach our children these habits- not necessarily working out or dieting. We want to go on bike rides, play sports, and hike together. And the only requirement he has ever asked of me is that I can "keep up" with him. Regardless of my shape or size, he just wants a partner to go through life with.

The purpose of this post is to say this: DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP. I have done this for far too long already, comparing myself to other mothers, reading my scale, crying over the fact that I want a piece of birthday cake, but I really 'shouldn't' have it. I'm tired of this. I have hidden my scale, and it won't come out for a long time.


So mamas, be healthy. Be Active. Diet if you want to (not if it affects your family negatively though). Work out when and if you can. But don't make this who you are. JJ Heller (a Christian recording artist) recently wrote on her Facebook page "I just went to the gym and I caught myself starting to believe that working out and being fit is the ultimate priority. I was stunned how much my environment was affecting me. I'm glad the Lord brought me back to my senses!". She is a gorgeous mother of two little girls. 

Remember who you are.

(Shout out to my Mama- who always quoted this Lion King quote to us when we left her presence!)