Maybe you've missed it, the blog going 'round the mom-space these days: Shape of a Mother. Go check it out. (I'm not linking so as to avoid search engines for as long as possible).
It's a pretty amazing place where women post pictures of their post-partum bodies and tell their stories about how they feel about what pregnancy did to their bodies. I came away from the site thrilled and relieved beyond all measure. I'm normal! I've been dealing with some nasty body-esteem issues lately, as I round the 9-months postpartum bend, and it was very helpful to see other soft, jiggly, stretch-marked bellies.
I tried to make a promise to myself not to beat myself up about my body, its pp squishyness, its overall weight and flab, because it has just done this amazing thing: It made two whole people in the space of three years!
And as one is not allowed to diet seriously while nursing, there is nothing I can do about it but try to eat healthily and get to my weekly karate class. I would give anything to be able to run in the mornings again, but I just don't see that happening until the kids sleep better, even if I could find a running partner.
But it's hard to be in a holding pattern; until we wean Bailey, until they're both sleeping well, until I can find a running partner.
The irony is of course, that many people have complimented me on my improved (ie, not pregnant!) figure, from the daycare teachers to co-workers. So I'm not some hideous lump. I'm just not the best I can be. And the only person who cares about that is me.
Posted by designatedgirl at July 26, 2006 09:27 PMI'm glad you added the part about "...making two whole people in three years." That was something that never ceased to amaze me years ago. I'm glad you're eating healthy.
Love ya.