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September 2014 Moms
LaurenWarwick
member
Weight Gain Venting
LaurenWarwick
member
Before I start, I know that this is stupid and shallow and vain and superficial and all those other words. I am SO very grateful that I have a healthy baby and have had an easy pregnancy so far.
That being said, I have always struggled with body image. I knew going into pregnancy that I would gain weight, and I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that it is EVERYWHERE. Especially in my thighs/butt. My doctor says that my weight gain is right on track, so I know that I am healthy, and again, I am so grateful for a healthy pregnancy. I seem to just have an extra layer of ripply skin on every part of my body. I break down on a regular basis when I'm trying to figure out what to wear. I feel like people are staring at me because they can see my cellulite through my clothes... which is absurd. I have irritable uterus as well, which prevents me from working out as often as I'd like which is also hard for me. I have always been active and exercised regularly.
Is anyone else feeling this way? I know there's not really anything I can do, and again, I definitely don't take for granted the fact that my baby is healthy. I just need to vent about it and to hear from others who may be feeling the same way. I'm having a rough time with it today.
That being said, I have always struggled with body image. I knew going into pregnancy that I would gain weight, and I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that it is EVERYWHERE. Especially in my thighs/butt. My doctor says that my weight gain is right on track, so I know that I am healthy, and again, I am so grateful for a healthy pregnancy. I seem to just have an extra layer of ripply skin on every part of my body. I break down on a regular basis when I'm trying to figure out what to wear. I feel like people are staring at me because they can see my cellulite through my clothes... which is absurd. I have irritable uterus as well, which prevents me from working out as often as I'd like which is also hard for me. I have always been active and exercised regularly.
Is anyone else feeling this way? I know there's not really anything I can do, and again, I definitely don't take for granted the fact that my baby is healthy. I just need to vent about it and to hear from others who may be feeling the same way. I'm having a rough time with it today.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Weight Gain Venting
Yeah - the everywhere thing pisses me off too. I have no qualms with the size of my tummy - bring it on. I don't even care about the numbers on teh scale getting higher than I'd like - as long as it was all baby tummy.
But it's not. Pre-pregnancy, I was a DDD so you can imagine the gargantuan proportions of my bra size now, not to mention that I have gained weight in my face and even though I have always had more muscular arms, they have balloooned to what I feel is twice the size of what it was when I got married. I feel that all of this makes me look "fat not pregnant." People tell me, "Well you ARE pregnant", but he's not swimming in my arms and chin, so he needs to keep his fluids and essential fats out of there! lol
I always thought I would get in great shape before ttc, but the pregnancy was unplanned so that didn't happen. In fact, DH & I had just agreed to start back up our workout routine in the new year. Up until Friday I felt ok, just a bit apprehensive about the body changes still to come but more in amazement about what my body is doing than anything else.
For some reason on Friday I did this stupid, stupid thing & asked DH if he can tell from behind that I am pregnant. He said mm nope WELL actually yeah. And I made him point out where - he touched right on those hard little love handles forming above my hip bone!!! Poor guy, he was in a lose-lose situation. I cried myself to sleep. On Saturday I felt absurd and like I had had a huge hormone surge (between my acne flaring, these emotions, & insomnia!!), because I never thought I would care about my body while growing another human being, but some moments are just tough when you realize there is no going back, every body handles pregnancy differently, and fear of the unknown (this is my 1st baby), plus you want to still feel and look attractive.
My SIL was pregnant with 1st baby last year and I swear she looked THE SAME, which is tall, skinny & beautiful, but with a baby bump. Even she was so critical of herself and her thighs in particular - which I couldn't tell had changed at aaalllll.
You're not alone in these feelings. Don't be hard on yourself. Our bodies are doing amazing things! Sorry this got long!
My SIL just had her second baby in January, and she's the closest person to me to go through pregnancy. I got to see her often through all stages. She eats horribly, has not exercised in about 15 years since high school drill team, and is still tall, thin, and stayed that way through both pregnancies. By 3 months old with both her kids, she was already back in her pre-baby clothes, but she probably could have gotten away with them way earlier than that. I think that's been the hardest part, since I am always around her and I remember how thin she stayed. The only difference is, she never had a bad thing to say about herself. I wish I didn't have such a horrible body image. It's something I am trying to work on because I don't want to teach that behavior to my little girl!
Edited bc I pressed send on accident.
Here's my game plan:
1) Dont stress, and think about how many calories breast feeding burns coupled with a game plan to crush it at the gym and soon as LO is here.
2) Buy some gorgeous new lip glosses and earrings and jewelry and get a nice pedicure so I can take pride in some part of my appearance.
Hang in there, everyone. This is only temporary! We'll be the cute little Moms with babies in less than a year.
BFP #3 on 7/23/16 EDD 3/30/16
Have you work Hanky Panky underwear before? It is the absolute best and so comfortable. The thongs are one size fits all, but the full underwear is sized.
After I had a few issues with half my underwear not fitting, I treated myself to about 10 pair of hanky panky panties and it was enough to make me feel better the last few weeks. I feel much sexier when my underwear fits and is comfortable and my SO comments on how good they look...even if he's just being nice!