Accepting Our Bodies After Childbirth
Postpartum Weight Loss Pressure
Like any transition in life, becoming a mom can be hard on the body and the mind. We nourish and care for it to create a life for over 9 months, and it is one of the most incredible experiences we go through as women. But afterward, your body is devasted. Some are luckier than others, but we suffer through tears, stretch marks, and excessive weight gain, making us feel bad about it. I mean, our bodies just created life. Shouldn't we get a little grace? And what if we're okay with the body we have after creating our beautiful babies? Isn't our body more than a vessel? We should be proud of our bodies and cherish them as the temple they are.
Sadly, we live in a society that expects women to have a perfect body. It puts a lot of pressure on women to lose weight even after giving birth, and that is no easy task. Our bodies go through significant changes after childbirth that creates more challenges for us to simply "bounce back."
The reality is that pregnancy changes us, and even if we were to "bounce back," it's rare that it's the body it was before. We can experience changes in our entire structure. From wider hips to breast changes to hormone production that affects your hair and feet size (yes, feet size!) and, of course, stretch marks. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Even though these changes are completely normal, it's hard to not feel frustrated and insecure.
I've felt the effects long after giving birth to my babies. I gained 100 pounds after my two kids, and it doesn't come without struggle. My focus shifted after having kids to putting their needs before my own. It's hard to focus on myself, and if I can find a moment to even set foot in the gym, it's a rare moment. I've found it incredibly hard to lose the weight I've gained after having my kids, and it's made me reflect on my body image and what is truly important in life. Can I just enjoy life and be me without having to worry about succumbing to the societal norms that expect me to weigh and look a certain way?
Honestly, yes. Life is so short, and children grow up way too fast. Our bodies are beautiful and unique just as they are, and I believe a change is coming in our society. As more body-positive people come forward and ads are created to promote all shapes and sizes, the pressure on us to look a certain way will begin to fade.
It's harder some days than others, and health is, of course, a priority, but mental health is more important. Don't let your negative self-body image stop you from doing things that bring you joy. Work on your inner voice, write in a journal and be positive about who you are. Learn to love yourself, accept and honor your body exactly where it is today, and focus on your overall health and well-being and living in the present.
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