The “mom bod.” That dreadful thing that NO ONE prepares you for. Sagging breasts from nursing, dark circles or bags under the eyes, stretch marks {mine make a huge spiral around my belly button}, the extra belly fold, and the list goes on. I could sit here and complain all day long about the way my postpartum body isn’t back up to my standards, but that’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to tell you to buy the swimsuit. Yes, you read that correctly. Here’s why:
Society has gotten us off track.
Every day, we are bombarded with images of the “perfect” body. We see women who essentially “snap back” after giving birth within just a few weeks. Subconsciously, we place ourselves in competition with them. The truth is, that’s not the norm for 99% of us average ladies. Most of us don’t walk away from giving birth with our hair done, primped and ready for a photo shoot. To be honest, I looked like a train wreck the first day after my daughter was born. Good thing there wasn’t paparazzi outside of the hospital; I would’ve been ducking for cover.
Even as little girls, we were given images of photoshopped models who we aspired to dress like, look like, be like, and even sound like. I don’t know about you, but I was one of those young girls who was, and still is from time to time, very body conscious. It only took one comment about my appearance that would leave me questioning everything. As I became an adult, I was not even close to being prepared for this thing called “mom bod.”
No one really prepares you for this part of motherhood.
We’re all taught about the joys of a newborn… the cooing, diapering, sleepless nights, and watching our babes grow. However, for some reason, we’ve seemed to skip over the part that talks about how your body changes postpartum. The fact that immediately following childbirth you somehow have 15lbs of excess, squishy weight in your abdomen area. The amount of time you must be workout free afterward {6-12 weeks} because your body needs time to heal. The stretch marks you thought should be long gone after pregnancy still linger on your belly. All of these things equate to a negative self-image.
We all have something to learn.
I recently read an article with a phrase in it that immediately caught my attention. It spoke in reference to my new “mom bod.” It read, “You’re the new hotness.” Um, okay? What on earth does that mean? It meant exactly that. I am the new hotness. The way I look now is the NEW hotness. The NEW sexy. I can’t exactly get the old me back. I cannot simply erase my stretch marks, shrink and make my pelvis the same shape, or probably even get back to my flat tummy. And guess what? I’m okay with that. Why? Because I am the “new hotness.”
My “mom bod” did incredible work. It carried two babes to term {and then some} and pushed them out. It nourished them, gave them security, and kept them cozy and warm. It grew babies from a size smaller than the head of a pin into newborns the length of my arm; that’s incredible.
So I say, the mom bod is worth it.
My stretch marks, belly fold, dark circles, and all of the other “mom bod” indicators all tell a story. The tale of a mom with two beautiful children. A mom who endured 9+ months of pregnancy, bearing the weight of her growing children, and laboring hard to meet their sweet faces. A mother who loves and cares for her littles. While I take care of myself and my health on a regular basis, I’ve come to accept that some things will never be as they once were. My body will never be the same shape or size and that is okay. I’m buying the swimsuit. I’m going to intentionally find ways to rock the new me because fitting a mold isn’t my style; I like to break it.
So mama, do yourself a favor and buy that swimsuit. Rock it, love it, and don’t forget to love on yourself today. Remember, you’re the “new hotness.”
What’s something that you’ve been wanting to do but, your body image has been holding you back? Challenge yourself and do it today!
