Monday, June 11, 2007

Trouble accepting your postbaby body?

Shoshanna says, "I had my daughter four months ago, and I'm having a hard time dealing with my stretch marks and extra weight. My husband thinks I look fine, but I don't feel fine with stretch marks running from above my belly button to my knees. I've been exercising and watching what I eat, but I can't diet because I'm breastfeeding. What can I do to feel comfortable in my skin?"
Featured comments"I know how you feel! My advice is to try to maintain perspective (which isn't easy). It took nine months to gain the weight ... it's going to take time to lose it. I got serious about getting my body back when my son was 4 or 5 months. I didn't diet but I did eat healthy and I ate often enough to maintain my metabolism. Remember, breastfeeding burns a lot of calories! I used to weigh myself and look at my stretched-out stomach after getting out of the shower everyday — it was depressing. I decided to focus on how good I felt after working out instead of my weight. I hope this helps without sounding too simplistic. Trust me, I love my son, but I don't like what he did to my body! I'm far from my pre-pregnancy shape, but I feel like I'm slowly reclaiming my figure without losing my sanity (and self-esteem) in the process."— Rae"The only thing I can say is be patient! I was there. I had to buy bigger clothes so I wasn't wearing my maternity clothes after the birth. I did buy shirts cut lower than usual since I had more cleavage — I played that up and downplayed the midsection. Ten months later, those clothes are too big and I can fit into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes. I still have a belly and stretch marks but I do feel better than I did months ago."— Nicole"I too have an imperfect body and my (second) son is 10 months old. My stomach is squishy and strongly resembles Freddy Krueger's face due to horrible stretch marks. My advice is to forget about getting into your pre-pregnancy clothes. Find clothes that flatter your figure, but are versatile if you lose weight. Try some dressy-casual pants that have a loose elastic waist and shirts (not Lycra-type shirts, they're not my friends) with a small flare at the bottom. This disguises your belly and positively accentuates your hips, which have probably expanded. It gives a curvy look, but hides the squishy belly. I've even received several flattering remarks from men. If they only knew what lurked beneath the shirt! Just remember, if you're wearing clothes that you feel confined in, you're going to be self-conscious and probably irritable due to discomfort. Find a way to dress that makes you feel good about yourself, and enjoy your baby. Very few people have nannies to watch their babies while a personal trainer commands them until they've worked their buttocks into boulders and their abs into washboards. Many people appreciate and understand the softness of a mother's body."— Amanda"Have you ever seen primitive Goddess dolls with large hips, huge breasts, and big bottoms? In prehistoric times, women were supposed to look like this and were revered for their beauty. Celtic people thought that a woman who had a baby was a sought-after mate because she had proved her fertility. She was extra sexy because she had already had a baby, and was likely to bear others. And remember, the sexiest women in the world are happy, fun, and have a sense of humor. If you can try for these things, they'll make you far more attractive than any exercise program."— Jayne
source- babycenter.com

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