Missing my pre-pregnancy body

Sarah - posted on 06/02/2010

I am right there with you hon! I was 120 before pregnancy and gained about 50 lbs! My girl just turned 8 months and I still weigh 160!!! I went from a size 2 to now a size 10!! I can't even look at myself in the mirror and we only have sex in the dark. I know I'm being ridiculous, but when I look at myself and see all that fat it just makes me sick. I am eating healthy, but have a hard time exercising with the baby. The worst part is, my husband is very thin, so I feel like a huge swollen slug next to him!

i agree with Natalie- my shape is SO different now. Before, I could walk into a store look at something on a hanger and know it would look good on me- now I have no idea and nothing that looked good before looks good now. I went from being skinny and fashionable to chubby with no idea how to dress myself! Where are Stacy and Clinton????

Glory - posted on 06/02/2010

you are definitely not alone, my boy is almost 9months old and I am still struggling with my weight. my tummy is still big, i feel nothing looks good on me, i spoke to a Dr, but he advised i shouldnt put too much focus on my weight as it would disappear in time. there are people who say they took about two years to shed the baby fat

Natalie - posted on 05/20/2010

Girl I totally feel you!! My son is 9 months now and I am still feeling it. I have always been a bigger chick. I was actually a signed and working Plus size model for the last 2 years. I had the confidence of a supermodel. Now My body SHAPE has changed. The weight is the same but the shape is different. I am insecure and have lost all of my confidence. I dont even wear mini skirts or sundresses (which were my whole wardrobe) anymore. I am really trying to get it back.

Laurie - posted on 05/20/2010

you are not alone, I have a nearly one year old and I am still working on getting the pre-pregnancy body back. I make the resolutions to take more walks, eat better etc and I do fall off the wagon (so to speak), but I keep trying. I look at it as I am helping to show my daughter that eating well is important. As for exercise, I was never much into it prior to the pregnancy, so now I try to do things with my daughter (dancing mostly).

I don't cry about it, but I revel in the small goals! Like when I could actually put the maternity pants away for good, or when I could wear my "fat" pants, which I used during the first few months of my pregnancy.

Let's face it, if we all had nutritionists, cooks, and trainers, we could be like Heidi Klum and get our shape back in 6 weeks, for the rest of us, sometimes life gets in the way and it takes us a bit longer. Remember, your baby always thinks you are beautiful (because you are)!

Joanne - posted on 05/20/2010

You're not alone. I know I definately won't every show my belly again. lol. But when your baby is a bit older just a little older...you'll be able to do floor exercises with him. I set my son on my chest and do crunches with him...it's added weight. We go for walks when we can, and I do make a point to eat healthy. But I do have cheat days because I believe that you have to cheat a little..like a reward. I know I'm still small, but my belly is not anymore. I went from a 0 to a 4. I like all about my boys but all that extra skin. Such is life. Try to love yourself, your're a great mom and a wonderful person, that is what makes someone beautiful, not physical appearance.

Heather - posted on 05/20/2010

I am also in the same boat - I wouldn't trade one tiny thing about my 8 week old to have my body back, but it is a struggle everyday. I went from a 6 to a 12, largely due to my hips spreading. Thre is a website that makes me feel like I'm not so alone - theshapeofamother.com. Be warned, there is nudity in some of the posts, but it makes me feel better, like not only am I not alone, but I also don't have it the worst.

Celine - posted on 05/20/2010

Thanks Kendra. This is very encouraging.

Kendra - posted on 05/19/2010

To all the BEAUTIFUL LADIES who have responded to this post, you all have done the most amazing thing anyone can do. You have bought A NEW LIFE INTO THE WORLD! Whether you are 100 pounds or 400 pounds after giving birth not very many people can do what you do everyday, staying up late, feeding your baby, changing diapers, running errands, cooking dinner, and taking care of everyone else. LOVE YOURSELF FOR WHO YOU ARE! Part of our problem as women is that we measure our beauty by standards of supermodels and the girls in the magazines. Do you know the girls in the magazines don't even look like the girls in the magazines?! I am sure I could look that way after expensive make-up, extensions and a few added computer effects! Don't consume your thoughts with losing the weight right away your primary concern now is to continue being a wonderful mother! Just make small changes like adding more fruit and veggies and drinking more water. Walk for 15 minutes a day with your baby and gradually increase this. You will do great! BE ENCOURAGED!

Celine - posted on 05/19/2010

You are not alone my dear. My son is 6months and I still look pregnant! My tummy is really big, I am gaining even more weight now and sometimes I'm really bothered by it. Am planning to hit the gym even if I'll just have to sneak 30mins away. Just don't judge yourself so harshly its not a weakness and try exercise Its the only solution my Doc told me. All the best dear!

Amanda - posted on 05/18/2010

i feel the same way =[ im 22 and have a 6 week old baby boy, love him more than life, but he really did some damage, i gained 30 pounds in my pregnancy n although i lost 20 after the birth cause it was mostly water im still heavy n only 4'9 so have a hard time loosing weight, i also have stretch marks from my hips to allll over my stomach my thighs..u name it! i even seem a lil hairy like on my stomach its gross =[ i feel like my partner doesnt say it but i know he doesnt see me as attractive..i have a really hard time loosing weight also...your not alone, embrace it its part of motherhood and only a mother will understand the changes and sacrifice we go through for our children!

Kate - posted on 05/18/2010

I learned to deal with my new body. I got lots of deep stretch marks on my stomach and have been using a stretch mark lotion everyday and tanning a few nights a week and you can barely tell i have stretch marks anymore. Its also hard for me to workout bc my daughter who turned one last weds doesnt want me leaving her side. Now that the whether is warmed Im going to start going on walks atleast once a day. It also helps that the guy im seeing is in the military and makes me do some of the work outs they do. Not because he thinks i have a bad body but bc i told him i need motivation to lose the weight and he gives me the motivation by competing. I chose not to know how much i gained during my pregnancy and decided that I am happy with the way I am even though I would love to be the tight slim sexy body i had before. Im working on it but until I just rock my curves as well. and thanks to getting pregnant with my daughter I now have an nice little ass to go with the always been bug breast!

Ariel - posted on 05/18/2010

you are so not alone sweetie. I feel the same way. my baby is almost 3 months and I still barley eat anything. but I cant seem too get back like I was. and the thing that bothers me the most is my stretch marks!!!! I mean dont get me wrong I love my babygirl and i would not change it for the world. but I just miss feeling sexi again. so dont worry ur not alone!!!!! AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Ashley - posted on 05/18/2010

You are not alone. I cried before and after the baby. I feel like my body was ripped apart. When I start to feel bad about my body I pick up my little girl and then look in the mirror. I can't feel that bad if I see why right next to me. I only have 10lbs to go and she is 9 wks old. I don't feel like anything will ever fit right again. I plan on hitting the gym but I am having a hard time not eating junk food as well, although breastfeeding helps me in the calorie dept. Don't be so hard on yourself, and when you are just pick up your baby, then go take a look in the mirror.

Melany - posted on 05/18/2010

I have 2 kids- 1 of each. I used to weight 135-145lbs, look and feel fit. Now that i have had both of them im weight 214-look and feel like i have two kids and am overweight.... I look and feel like crap. My husband works a part time job that might ad well be a full time because he works over all the time. By the time he gets home im to tired to do anything.

I love my husband, our children, I love myself for the 2 children that my husband and i have. But I dont like how i look.

Reana - posted on 05/17/2010

i have a beautiful 10 month old girl,i love her to bits but yes i hate my body i need to lose 12kgs to get back down to my weight i was before fallin preg. and it doesnt seem to be happen,it was worth it though.

Krystle - posted on 05/17/2010

I've had 3 kids in less then 4 years...I understand! I gained 65lbs is my first child and then 26lbs with my second...I began losing weight when I started working a lot but then I got pregnant with my youngest and gained all the weight I lost right back....Now I'm struggling to lose the weight again and not gain any more! I keep saying that I'm going to start walking but it's a lot harder for some of us to do stuff like that with the limitations I have...I know how you feel. It is really hard to deal with. I've heard of classes that you can go to where you can take your baby with you and it's like exercise but it involves mom and baby together. It's supposed to promote weight loss and bonding at the same time...I'm not sure what they're called but I've seriously considered it for myself and my youngest...

Kia - posted on 05/17/2010

omg i understand! before i got pregnant i was 125 lbs! i gained 50 POUNDS during pregnancy! i went from a size 5 to a 14! i was only a junior in highschool! i was devestated! had to buy a whole new wardrope :( ... my daughter is now 13 months old & i am 130 lbs :) so i'm pretty proud of myself, i try taking her for walks every single day & swimming in the summer really helps! & i don't eat "healthy" like just vegies all day i just make sure i don't "snack" alot! good luck girl! =]

Jessica - posted on 05/17/2010

I feel the same way. I'm not sure if I'll ever have my pre-preg body back and I definitely will never have those boobs again. I think you have to make small changes here and there as far as eating goes. You can make the same things you made before, just switch the ingredients to low fat or fat free when possible. Small changes help a lot. But yes, it's still hard. My son is almost 9mo and I still have 10lbs to go! Don't know what to do about the sex thing for those other moms out there. That's my biggest struggle. Good luck with everything

Jodi - posted on 05/17/2010

I gained 51 lbs with my son. At 2 weeks I had 24 of it gone, then at 2 months I had a total of 30 gone. Then it just stopped!!! I was working harder at getting it off but with no results! Then when I hit 4 months postpartum, it literally started falling off. I wasn't doing anything different, I think it was just that I was getting more sleep and my hormones were getting back to normal. My cousin has 2 girls, and it was the same for her.My son is now almost 8 months and I am a few pounds less than my pre preg weight... but that's not to say I look the same! Most of my jeans still don't fit because my hip bones havent gone back yet...and my boobs..lets just say there will be no strapless bikinis for this girl anymore!

Bianca - posted on 05/17/2010

youre not alone!! my son is 10weeks old and my boyf tells me all the time how beautiful i am.. i dont believe him for a second when he tells me that. i put on abit of weight whilst pregnant and since having him have lost about 1/4 of it.. i cant wait to get back to my pre pregnancy weight!

Misty - posted on 05/16/2010

Try not to be so down. Itll go away, it takes time. I gained 55lbs while i was pregnant. Im just about down to my normal size, i have about 3lbs to go. But my tummy still isnt flat. Im working on it! I try to stay positive! My son is 4 months old and im still not back to my same body but it takes time. My husband tells me all the time you dont even look like you had a baby but i feel diffrent! Stay Positive!
Eat healthy and walk, thats what i did!

Celia - posted on 05/15/2010

I am rockin my new curves for the most part :)
I was 110 pounds when I got preggers and hit 160 on his due date. I went down to 145 by the time he was a month old but put on 5 since then... woops! lol
I've never had a real bum or boobs and I feel dead sexy when it comes tho those. I could do with a tummy trim but it dosent bother me much because I rock the breastfeeding boobs so who's lookin?
Sexy is all atitude and no one judges as harshly as you do by far!

Valerie - posted on 05/15/2010

I still have about 10 pounds to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but wasn't having your baby worth gaining some extra weight?! That's something you have to think about when you feel down. It is so hard for me to exercise, that's for sure, but now that the weather is getting better, maybe you can take your baby out for a walk and get a little work out! :)

Megan - posted on 05/15/2010

No definatly not alone i am in the same boat. I hate the way my body looks i was always really critical about my wieght before my daughter was born i gained 60 lbs with my pregnancy i weighed 115 before i got pregnant and i was so upset with my weight gain. I have lost 20lbs since having her and have 30 more to lose before i will even begin to be satisfied but i have a hard time finding time to exercise between feeding and caring for her and the house work. it might get easier as she gets older tho because she is only a month old now.

I feel disgusting my stomach is so nasty looking and there are stretch marks everywhere i cant stand the way i look...so no my dear you are not alone. i feel ya

Jaimie - posted on 05/15/2010

really? i hate sex too! it makes me feel so much worse about myself and i don't enjoy it at all because i just think about how gross i am and i can't wait for it to be over.

Jennifer - posted on 05/15/2010

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! My son is 10 months old and between working 2 jobs and taking care of my son I still cant find time. I have also cried many times about this. I hate having sex now because I feel I look disgusting even though my financee tells me all the time how great I liik. I totally understand how you feel.