One of the best things about giving birth is the fact that for a few months afterwards it's okay that you are maybe not a small as you otherwise should be. People look at your muffin top and then see the baby and it's accepted that you should be a little heavier right now. Especially if the last time the person saw you you were nine moths pregnant and, if you were anything like me, looking like Andre the Giant's long lost sister. Anybody want a peanut?
No one has to know that these pants were too tight before I got pregnant!
But, as my son is turning eight months tomorrow, the time is coming to and end where I can hold him up like a fat pass and expect understanding. You would think, living in a country where two thirds of us are overweight or obese, there would be more understanding, or sympathy, but that's not the case. Part of it is the media and culture drill into our minds that we are not healthy/beautiful/lovable if we are fat. And I have mixed feelings. Part of me loathes the image I see in the mirror. The kangaroo pouch that was once a stomach, The hips that spread and stayed that way. But then Sir Mix Alot reminds me that big butts are good too and I think to myself that I'm not THAT bad. I could be worse. And most importantly I don't want my daughter to see me feeling bad about myself. I want to teach her about internal beauty and all that.
You'll find a happy medium along the way. I will say that I've gained some weight in the last year, and I'm happier with the extra 15 pounds than I ever was when I was really skinny. Skinny doesn't always mean healthy, and yes, teaching your daughter about healthy body image is extremely important!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThey grow up way too fast and then we have to actually try to lose the weight. Too bad they can't be an excuse for longer! Haha
ReplyDeleteI've written so many times about this, most recently "The Greatest Gift" at Finding Ninee's Our Land series. I'm tired of beating myself up about it.
ReplyDeleteMy 'baby' just turned 25. I guess you're right. Time to stop using him as my 'fat pass'. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am right with you about not wanting my daughter to have to worry about this stuff. I've written about it too. The greatest gift we can give our daughters is to know that they are worthy on the inside, even though society will tell them otherwise.
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