POST-PREGNANCY BODIES SUCK

[tjdee]

I'm copycatting because I'm having a pity party for myself.

The drooping, the stretching.... my eyes, my eyes!!

I wear clothes 99% of the time. Is that a good solution?

[Bunny]

1. Clothes are a helpful start.

I recommend remaining clothed at all times, except when in the shower! It has worked wonders for me! No more horrifying sights in the mirror!

[tjdee]

2. The shower is right across from the mirror!!

That's the worst. :(

[sushi]

3. You'll never be the same

but it doesn't have to be that bad. Go back to your before weight and yes, it helps to buy really really nice clothes!!!

[tjdee]

5. I do need new clothes....I'm back to the pre-preg weight already...

I weigh slightly less than I did before I got pregnant (my kid is 5 LOL), and now I have that disgusting "extra skin too stretched out and has no place to go" issue.....

But you hit on something...maybe I could use a new outfit or two to mask the problem!

[Pithlet]

8. Ugh. The extra skin.

I got bigger with my second baby because I swelled with pre-eclampsia on top of the normal weight gain. I'm almost back to pre-pregnancy, and although I've always thought a tummy tuck sounds ghastly, it's looking like a more and more attractive option. I still highly doubt I'll do it, but I don't think I could have a flat tummy without it, no matter how much weight I lose. :(

It's all so worth it, but it still kind of sucks.

[Alenne]

4. I recommend dancing in front of the mirror naked

Learn to love the only body you have.

I have stretch marks and my huge breast have never been perky and I strut around my house like a supermodel.

[tjdee]

6. Really?

That would be a huge step for me. Huge. I'm honestly convinced that I will shock and frighten the next guy I'm with.

Have you always had a good self-image though?

[ant]

11. I read once...

...that people tend to like their faces more than their bodies because they see their faces all the time. You get used to it, basically, and grow to like it. So whatever article I read this in recommended that people with body image problems force themselves to look at their bodies - fully naked - in a mirror as much as possible.

In other words, I don't think you need a good self-image to strut around naked like a supermodel - strut around naked like a supermodel and it'll help you improve your self-image. It'll help you get comfortable with just being naked and comfortable in your own skin and all the rest.

And remember, most guys don't have perfect bodies either. If he has a little beer gut, you get to have one too.

[Alenne]

17. No you won't

Men are more realistic about women's bodies than women are.

I've always had a realistic self-image. Even as a child I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself, naked and with clothes on. I like looking at myself.

[hunter]

7. My "post-pregnancy" wife was gorgeous.

She will always be gorgeous.

[tjdee]

18. Aww...that's sweet.

Your love blinds you LOL!!!
Just kidding....

[bucknaked]

9. I started dating my ex after she had her first daughter.

She's filipino, very dark skinned. And as a dark Native-American fellow, myself... more melanin seems to mean more scar tissue as well.

Her stomach looked like tiger stripes.

On the other hand, huge boobs!

No, but don't fret. 99% of us guys aren't too concerned about the minor imperfections of bearing kids.

[tjdee]

19. Tiger stripes! That's what I call them....

99% seems a bit high though.... especially when men are so well versed in the smooth torsos of Britney Spears et. al....

[dolo amber]

10. Try post 2 c-sections and

1 ectopic pregnancy (which ruptured and I nearly died)...which equals 3 completely-through-the-lower-abdomen incisions. Crunches? Sit-ups? Fuggedaboudit. :cry:

[tjdee]

20. How long were you in pain??

That sounds terribly serious...The scars must be long?
Wow.

Come, we eat pie.

[skygazer]

12. No, no, they don't

These are the marks we bear from bringing new life into the world. We are creators, we are like gods. Honestly - I'm 43, I have 3 kids and 3 grandkids. I'm in pretty good shape but I have some stretch marks, some extra skin here and there, my boobs aren't as firm as they used to be. I have a woman's body, not a girl's and it's beautiful - just ask my husband who adores it.

Embrace yourself. The body is a vessel - it is the soul that matters.

[carpe_vinum]

16. I adore my stretch marks

I think they're kind of cool. But I have to be honest. I wasn't terribly fond of the wrinkled poochy belly. I inherited a pot belly from the ladies in my family as it was. I felt dumpy and needed to feel like there was something I could control. I also enjoy exercise to the consternation of some of my friends who think exercise is a dirty word. I liked getting rid of the lumps, but I do think the stretch marks are neat. Okay, I'm strange. I know.

[tjdee]

22. All you married people, grrumble grumble grumble LOL!

I have to attract some poor slob with this body!

I'm not mature enough yet to appreciate the "me as creator" idea yet. I was there, it is amazing, and my kid is fantastic...but still... you're right though. The soul is what's important.

[Malva Zebrina]

13. You are beautiful no matter what nt

[carpe_vinum]

15. Absolutely!

[tjdee]

23. How nice of you to say...

:)

[carpe_vinum]

14. I feel your pain. I've had three children.....

Post-pregnancy body image is a drag!

I now weigh less than I did when I matriculated as a freshman in college and shocked my OB/Gyn by weighing in at 30 pounds less than I did the last time he saw me.

South Beach Diet baby!!!! I love the food I'm eating....although it does take a little bit more preparation time...and have dropped from a size 12 to a size 6. Started the day after Christmas 2003 and it was the most expensive diet I ever went on. Why? I went through several wardrobes. I was a size 6 by the end of March! It takes a wee bit of discipline, but my blood chemistry is awesome and I feel fantastic.

I'm a vegetarian so I couldn't use the meal plan in the book. Just used the approved list of foods and made up my own recipes. I'm serious. If you can do it, this is an incredible lifestyle change.

ETA: I don't want this to sound like I think post-pregnancy women aren't beautiful. They are! I just know that self-image can be a powerful thing. Just wanted to share what worked for me when I was feeling down on myself.

[tjdee]

21. I'm a size 9 now...so I'm eh, alright...what's the dif between SB and Atki

ns?

I love carbs in a way that is both unnatural and funny.
I'm pretty tall, and I'm a size 9, so the weight isn't so bad. Just the permanent chest droop and stretch marks.

I would love to feel fantastic though--have heard things about South Beach, but don't know too much what it's all about. I'm all about a lifestyle change.

[Ilsa]

24. Got my stretch marks and saggy tummy with number two,

and he was the smaller baby. My breastfed for seven years, but my boobs still look pretty good (nice shape), but they are two big.

Sorry dearheart. It's the price we pay for beautiful healthy babies. I nominate your marks (and other aforementioned flesh) for the golden mommy award for all you've done and all you're going to do raising your kids well.

[onebigbadwulf]

25. This is what plastic surgery is for...

(just making a market for myself)