do any of you struggle with body image issues?

Sharon - posted on 11/07/2009

why? You had two kids. Things change. Boobs swell and the extra tissue droops. Your hips spread to accomodate giving birth. You put on muscle mass lifting diaper bag, stroller, and baby all at once.



You went from being a GIRL to a WOMAN.



If my husband doesn't like he can just go to hell. I eat well, get moderate exercise when I can, and giggle about my belly pooch. I was able to get it to go away after babies 1 & 2, but number 3 was NOT lucky.



Did anyone think they would look just like they did before they had a baby?

Sharon - posted on 11/07/2009

I hate to be one to admit it but I was fine with my body until after I had my daughter, then I started feeling that it needed some improvement. I was happy with everything except the fact that my chest area didn't go back to it's normal size....you all know what I mean. So DH and I sat down to talk about it before I went and got the "problem" taken care of. Because it was MY PROBLEM and I need to fix it to feel good about myself. Now I'm happy with all of my body even that little gut that is still there 2 years after she was born.......I did what I needed to do to be happy with me regardless of what anyone else said. And I encourage others to do the same.....I learned at a young age that if you are not happy with yourself that mood affects the way you view others who view you.

Tessa - posted on 11/07/2009

that is meant to say when i was 16 yrs old at school

Tessa - posted on 11/07/2009

i have 4 kids all girls and i had 3 of them within 18mths...(8mth twins and 18mth ) and i put so much weight on dureing the pregnancies to the point where at my antenatel appointments for my twin pregnancy i was repeatedly told by the consultants that i was over weight....which my husband happily informed them ''well she is expecting twins''....i have struggled with low self-esteem for many years and i'm only 24 i was a size 10/12 when i was 1 bat school and was picked on because i was ''fat''......but just remember that you have two beautiful kids who love their mum regardless of what you look like and that is all that matters just continue to be a fab mum and the rest will take care of it self.

Jackie - posted on 11/07/2009

Talk to your men!! I am lucky no stretch marks... no sagging extra skin. But my major change after having both my children was the boobs! I was a 34 DD on a 5'3" 125 lbs body. After my daughter I dropped to a 34 C... then my son i dropped to a 34 A. And they sag a little and they aren't the same full firm shape they were before. Since that and my butt were my major assets before my children and I was just lacking in those areas after I was a little concerned. But my husband LOVES all the changes my body has gone through for our children. It may not be what he was once personally attracted to but its me and he loves me. You may be surprised to find out your biggest critic is actually only you. Now I wear my mommy body with pride!

Donna-marie - posted on 11/07/2009

Hay, There are times were i hate what i look like. I try all my wardrobe on. i still hate what i look like. so i wont go out. There are times when i look at my self naked and hate myself... anythin for my body back... Sometime i dont let my partner look at me naked... i hate it... i went from a 8 to a 12/14 however i did find... i joined the gym...put kate in a cresh a hour in the morning.. also ...buying new clothes... starting from shoes... to bottoms... to top... to new underware. it made me feel a little bit better. and as we know we cant help but go out and buythe little one somethings to. I was a single parent for the whole pregnancy... to the birth.... and also 3mhs after to... but when i ment my partner his always know that i hate my looks.. if i go out clubbin i have to go to my hardresser and also get my makeup done.. just to feel good... its wrong i know. i dont have the money to do it neither... (luckly enough my hairdresser does it for free as his a old family friend)... but anyways, maybe if you try going shopping. joining a gym just somethin to keep you spirits high darlin... :) xx

Tanya - posted on 11/07/2009

Big Time Amy :-)..There are things i really dont like about my body now..My stomach and boobs being the main but i try and balance it by reminding myself what i was like BEFORE i had children..A typical woman! I didnt like my thighs,my boobs or the fact that im short in height..My point being ive never thought i was perfect so i try not to let low self esteem get to me :-)

Lisa - posted on 11/07/2009

I think we women are so hard on ourselves. I am very much the same. I am still quite slim but my body has changed since having 2 children. Try going to the gym or wlking a couple of times a week. Exercise is so good for the mind and as a result you will feel much better about yourself, I sure do. By the way, you lok great in your picture and have nothing to worry about! :-)

Lydia - posted on 11/05/2009

LOL - yup but I dont know many people who dont have something about themselves that they arent happy about (men and women). I hold all my extra weight on my stomach so thats where I have my issues with my physical self. I am not thin but dont have any problem with that - I think women look better with curves, but I would be much happier with myself if I had a more toned tum. I also think that the healthy living thing is the key..

Charlie - posted on 11/05/2009

I am sure most of us do , as women , unfortunately we are our own worst enemies when it comes to our bodies we just have to learn to love ourselves for the good people we are , start eating healthy and start exercising if we feel out of shape because not only is it good for you it releases endorphins ( feels good hormone ) give you time to think , raise your sex drive the benefits are countless .

and start trying to get some me time to enjoy your self more !

ANDRENIA - posted on 11/05/2009

This is me all the way!!! I have 3 kids only gained 10ils with my first and as soon as I had him went right back into my clothes no problem actually looked better after I had him than before. With my second I gained 30pounds and about 3 weeks I could fit right back into my clothes. I waited 5 years to have my last one and why I did this I will never know but I gained 50 pounds with her and still after 2 years can't seem to get back into my old clothes . I went from weighing 130 to 180 and still weigh 145 and can't lose it I don't know why!!! It can be real frustrating and make you feel ugly and like how can any one find you attractive? My husband says he doesn't care but I feel deep down he does and is not wanting to hurt my feelings!! You are not alone gurlfriend hold your head up and place your eyes upon Jesus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tamara - posted on 11/05/2009

i am a very new mum of a lil boy who is almost 8 weeks old with him i got really bad stretch marks on my belly wher even my doctor commented on how bad they were and its made me self concious real bad so when i feel like that i go and cuddle my lil miracle and remember back and say that its okay because without the stretch marks and all else that comes with pregnancy how would i get you, my beautiful son~

Angie - posted on 11/05/2009

Yes I do struggle with self esteem issues about the way I look... I was skinny before I had my children and I cant get rid of the belly and legs I have gained... I have accept that I am what I am and my bf loves me and I am healthy and I can still do stuff with the kids and that is the most important thing is spending time with them and seeing them smile all the time, and I know soon it will go away when it wants too...

Desiree - posted on 11/05/2009

I just had my last one 7 months ago, and after the first 2 i went right back to being skinny as could be, but I guess the closer I get to 30 and after having a C-section with him my body just isn't bouncing back. I have the worst muffin top ever and I barely eat anything on a daily basis...I'm active (no I don't work out though) and I just seem to keep packing on the lbs...you just have to stay confident within yourself...and work on it...I know I could kick it if I had the time to work out...but...screw it. It took me 3 kids to gain weight...and my fiance loves me the way I am...I finally grew a "BUM" out of it.

Ali - posted on 11/05/2009

There is alot of good advise on here from different ladies. And i agree with alot of it. I never had a good body image even when i was in high school. My body was kinda awkward, i thought. I never liked the way i look, i'm still not happy. My husband has been really supportive and tells me i'm beautiful, always has since our second date. Now i'm pregnant and i have really bad stretch marks that run up my belly, across my hips and now my thighs. I had old stretch marks on my stomach from wieght gain back in high school but never anywere else. I also have them on my breasts but they aren't as obvious. My husband and i came up with a plan to get me in shape and at a happy weight after i have our son. He used to body build and loves to work out so he is very well educated on nutrition and different exercises. I'm excited for that time to come. For now i love my body because i'm pregnant, thats what i tell myself when i look in the mirror, even though i don't have a "beautiful belly" my body is beautiful to me cause it's supporting the life of my child. It's not wrong to have self esteem or body image issues, just don't let it consume your life. Find something that works for you, exercise, dressing your body to flatter your figure, or hey get some plastic surgery. I told my husband when we are done having kids, i'm getting a tummy tuck and a breast lift and reduction so they are nice a percky! LOL! Good luck to you!

Kirsten - posted on 11/05/2009

Oh for sure, I pretty sure we all do. Then I try to tell myself that i am a mommy and i wouldn't trade it for Megan foxs body. But if it's belly issues find a belly dancing class, it really does wonders!

Harriet - posted on 11/05/2009

GIRL, I DON'T KNOW ANY WOMAN THAT DOESN'T. I WENT FROM 125 TO 200+ AFTER 3 KIDS. BUT YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOU CAUSE IT STARTS WITH YOU IF YOU DON'T DON'T LOVE YOU....HOW IS SOMEONE GOING TO. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR KIDS ARE WATCHING YOU AND LISTENING TO YOUR EVERY NEGATIVE COMMENT.

Jessie - posted on 11/05/2009

I'd love to say no.... but truly I do.... I have 4 kids. I had my first one so young that it literally ripped my skin, quite badly too. 15 is not a great age to bear children. I long for the day I can get my tummy tuck. I can't wait to put on a pair of jeans that are my true size and not have my stretched skin wiggle its way out.



P.S. Spanx are your friend. I don't leave my house with out them!

Tristan - posted on 11/05/2009

we probably will never look the same again, I myself got stretch marks even though I tried so hard not to, I worked out every day of my pregnancy to avoid it. Even at the very end I swam laps in a pool, but as soon as he dropped...boom there they were! & they needed the saggy boob side kicks of course just to make sure I never look the same. But look at what we have.......when they tell you YOUR the greatest thing in the world. Your the bigger then life super hero they worship!! and you'll always have that.
It's just a damn shame that we live in such a body conscious world were nothing less then perfect is thrown in our face. Its all fake though, & what you have is real!! two beautiful babies!

Latasha - posted on 11/05/2009

I HAVE A SOON TO BE TWO YEAR OLD AND I AM STRUGGLING WITH MY WEIGHT AND SELF ESTEEM. I PLAN TO START GOING TO THE WORKS AND WORK OUT THREE TIMES A WEEK EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER WORK.

Karen - posted on 11/05/2009

Do you know why you are struggling? Is it your body image or "just being a mom"? I have four children 17 - 23 & have struggled with self-esteem & depression for years. Counseling has helped, so has meds. It is very hard to "just be a mom" in today's society. If you are not working outside of the house. One of the best things to do is get a friend to do some sort of exercise with. Hold each other accountable. Even if it is just for walks every day. The very best advise I have ever gotten is that you must have something of your own. ALWAYS! It is so easy to lose yourself - especially as a stay-at-home mom. When my kids were young I was very involved in women's bible studies - the women in that group were a godsend. Lots of prayer, lots of love, time outs for you as well as the kids! My kids learned to leave Momma alone when I put myself in timeout!! Hope this helps a bit. So much advise - check it all out - take it in - see what works best for you. God Bless. karengail

Michelle - posted on 11/05/2009

I also have two kids, my youngest is a girl. I struggle alot with body image and self esteem but I want to teach my daughter that if she is beautiful inside she will also be beautiful outside. I am just not sure I can teach her something that I believe but don't feel about myself.

Michelle - posted on 11/05/2009

i think most moms struggle with self esteem .. i had a flat stomach before i had my son and he's 19 months and i can't get rid of the belly and i know these stretch marks are never going to go away! Plus i'm pregnant again so here comes MORE baby weight .. i think the best thing to do is when they're sleeping use a treadmill or take them for a long walk every day and drink alot of water .. eventually you'll end up feeling better about yourself.. i know right now i feel horriable but look what you got out of it .. 2 beautiful kids :) every time i see my stretch marks i just remember i have a great baby boy and moms shouldn't wear belly shirts anyways lol :)

Erin - posted on 11/05/2009

I have 3 kids and i am 25. When i met my husband i was 92 lbs(4'10"). After our first baby i weighted in at 167 at birth. Now 3 kids later i am 125lbs and still loosing. This is the least amount of wieght i have weighted since i had my first baby 4 1/2 years ago. But the down side i have a layetr of excess skin that falls about 2 inches below my waist.
Sexy right! I don't let my husband see me naked EVER. But i m putting money way so that in 4 to 5 years i can have a tummy tuck and a boob lift. LOL

Ashley - posted on 11/05/2009

i have the exact same problem. I have 2 children, 5 and almost 3. I am fitting back into my PRE pregnancy clothes from when I was a teenager...jeans and what not, but I have the saggy boobs and extra skin and stretch marks around my belly. I have issues with it everyday. I have been running and working out and it still doesnt help, so we are opting for the extreme to make me happy again...I am having a tummy tuck and a breastlift and slight implants just to make them fuller and a normal size for my height, etc.....

Jamie - posted on 11/05/2009

I have three kids and after each one I could always pop right back down to about a size 7 or 9. I'm now up to a size 12 and have a belly roll eewww. I want to lose the weight but don't have time to exercise. I do buy nice clothes that fit my figure and lots of different accessories to draw the eyes to parts that I want noticed (hair, neckline, so on). It helps a little.

Amanda - posted on 11/05/2009

i just had a baby in april and i am very skinny i only weaigh 117 lbs but my belly is not flat any more and some people still ask me if im pregnant again and it rele puts me down because i feel like im not the same person now that i am a mom

Amanda - posted on 11/05/2009

i don't anymore! lol. i did before i had a baby, and i had a rocking body (i look at pictures now and wonder why in the world i had issues!!!!)) but after having a baby and working out to loose the weight (took 7 months) i am stuck with a weird belly button, saggy skin, and stretch marks..... but i am so comfortable with my body now, i am proud of how i look and i think i look great! i'm pregnant with my 2nd right now and am continuing to work out. i really think that intense exercise would help you feel better about yourself, you're body may never be what it was before but i garauntee there is at least 1 woman out there who would look at you and be envious of your body :)

Lindsay - posted on 11/05/2009

I used to really have a hard time with it but it has gotten better. My body does not look like it did before my 2 kids but I have learned to except it. I've found that just by getting dressed( anything but sweats), fixing my hair, and putting a little makeup on works wonders. Once I quit stressing over getting the pre-babies body back and focused more on eating healthy and getting some exercise, it changed my thinking. Now I'm more confident with myself and it helps all aspects of life! =)

K Marley - posted on 11/05/2009

Im still skinny size 4/6 Im just not FIRM and my skin isnt as pretty anymore.. I have saggy boobs.. on and on and on :/

Letty - posted on 11/05/2009

I have 4 kids and I have that same issue... I feel that after I had my last baby it was harder for me to lose the weight that I had gained. I struggle with what I look like all the time... Now I have learned to rely on God. I am not here to please anyone but God himself. Don't get me wrong. I still care about the way I look, but I just approach it differently. I walk when I can and I eat a lot less. Everyone is different.

Bobbi - posted on 11/05/2009

Of course I do, I think I have just got to the point where I know I will never be where I used to be. If you have any good advice let me now. I also bought a WII fit and lol but that has seemed to help me feel better, not sure if appear any diffrent but hey.

NaStarchia - posted on 11/05/2009

I have struggled with body issues like being uncomfortable with my body with my boyfriend, but I've changed that by working out almost everyday and feeling good about myself

Jael - posted on 11/05/2009

I have one he is almost 3. After I had him I was the skinniest I had been since I was 12. Mind you I am a curvy girl big hips thighs. But I was happy but now I have a belly and it doesnt seem to matter how much i work out or watch what I eat it doesnt go away. So yesI do.