Body image issues and pregnancy

A

annettej123

Cathlete
Since I know you are all health conscious types like me. How many of you struggle with gaining weight and loosing your definition and figure, no matter how many times you tell yourself it is temporary and for a good purpose? We are avid boaters and watching everyone else all thin in their swimsuits right now is getting tough. I know I am being silly, but can't seem to convince my mind to think differently.
 
Hi Annette,

I hope you are feeling well. Congratulations to you.

I feel the same way with body image. It is tougher during the
summer months too. I had my first in December and am now 35 weeks
pregnant. I feel silly worrying too especially since I know the
weight will come off. I went to the beach a few weeks ago and
was a tad envious looking at the flat stomachs/toned bodies like
mine always was. It is normal I imagine to feel this way and
when you have always been fit who wouldn't struggle some with
mixed emotions. I tell myself my baby is growing and healthy which
bar none is the most important. I also know that I have exercised
everyday and taken the best care of my body as I possible could
including healthy eating. There is not much more to think about
but how its all worth it. I recall being concerend the first time
around but once I had the baby was so thrilled my body image was
secondary. I also think the pregnancy hormones do not help with
the negative thoughts. I look forward to the end of my journey to
be honest because I do prefer the non pregnant body especially
with the 3rd trimester discomforts( sleeping, backache)
I wish you all the best.

Jennifer Claire 12/24/2005
? 8/10/2007
 
Hi, Annette!

I hear ya! I am in the same boat, so I think it is pretty normal. I am 31 weeks, and have been struggling since the first tri with my body image. Lately I have been looking at old pictures of myself when my body was thin and strong. I am definitely far from it, but I have to agree with Jennifer. As long as your baby is growing and healthy, it'll be worth it in the end. Plus, I've talked to many moms who say that after their pregnancies, they were smaller and more fit than ever. Must be motivating to be a role model to their children!!!

Oh, and the hormones DON'T help! LOL! Hang in there, and even though it is hard, try to focus on your baby being healthy. Remember that pregnancy is finite, and will come to an end. It's the only chance you have to assist God in a miracle!!!! :eek:)

Chrissy
 
i am with you!

it took me almost 2 years to lose 60 pounds, hard work, exercise, and clean eating.

sometimes it's hard to think that i've gained 1/2 of that back in only 5 months.

but i've seen so many mothers that have had 4 children and they look great, so maybe it's a matter of finding good role models and being optimistic?
 
I don't think I had any problems with my body image, I was just a little more worried about total weight gain.
I seemed to gain my weight very fast and within the first few monthes. I gained 20 lbs in 2 monthes:) :eek: I think it was from July -Sept and I wasn't due until Dec. I remember sitting in the Doc's office wondering how I could control my weight gain more....but I never did it..LOL Eventually the weight gain tettered off and I only gained 1-3 lbs from that point on(every month)...but it was still a total of 46 lbs and Rylan was only 7.4 lbs of that:eek:
I also think another reason why I didn't worry to much was b/c people kept telling me that b/c I was in such great shape before, that I would bounce back quickly and I was bound and determined to start running and working out again, and I did. I also planned on bf'ing which burns 500 cals a day, that in itself is a workout:)

I had a friend though who didn't deal very well with gaining weight at all, and it was alittle annoying actually. She was very obsessed with her body image and she even admitted that she didn't like not having control over her body. But it turned out o.k for her b/c she came home with only 5 lbs to lose:eek: I mean....really? Who does that!? LOL

Don't worry to much. You will be back to your old self in no time. You will also be so taken up with your new little bundle that you won't stress to much about the weight you have to lose and it will fall off (to some extent!)

Lori
 
I do know it will come off and know it is temporary. It just feels better to know I am not alone in how I feel sometimes. I gained 45 pounds with my first and she was only 7lb 1oz, and I got all of it off and then some, but it was so much work. And I am just afraid I won't have the same amount of time with a toddler and an infant to work that hard.
 
I can relate! I gained a lot of weight (54lbs.) with both of my previous pregancies, and lost it, but it was tough. I was feeling really good about my body and was down to the last 10lbs I wanted to lose to be at MY "ideal" weight when I got pregnant again. I look at myself every day in frustration lately. It isn't helping that I can't exercise like I was (or want to) anymore. So, don't feel alone. I just keep telling myself a healthy baby is the most important thing and this is my last one, so this is the last time I will have to put my body through this. ;)

It's probably going to take longer for me to get back into great shape with three young children at home, but I will get there! So will you! :)
 
Yes yes yes. I am really feeling down about myself today. I just have been eating not so clean and I am afraid I have just put on a ton of fat. I feel so quilty about my eating but I just crave junk. But I wouldn't feed my 2 year junk so why am I feeding my baby it? I feel like I have already gained a noticiablew amount of weight... guess I will see this friday at the doctors. My Mom did say that since my bodyfat was pretty low when I got pregnat and I was working out pretty intensely that my body is holding on the the extra fat and storing more. Maybe? It is stupid to get so hung up about this. I guess the hormones are really kicking in. I guess we should trust our bodies more. Although I don't know how reliable mine is at the moment, it really wants M&MS.
 
My first daughter was born in September and I recently had moved to cape cod. Each previous summer I spent in bikinis, but of course that summer I wore a shapeless maternity suit. We too are avid boaters and the cape is filled with skinny teenagers. I felt fat but began to focus on what was left of my shape, for me my legs stayed ok so I wore heels to the end to focus on my legs. I also overspent on nice maternityy clothes but they did help me feel better about my pregnant body.
 
Annette, I definitely sympathize. No matter how many people tell me not to complain or say that I am "fat," I can't get that word out of my head or my thoughts. I am mostly all belly, which I am very grateful for, but I still feel like my weight gain (30 lbs at 35 weeks) is out of control. I now have hips, and the nasty fat there that goes along with it. I never had that before. I am definitely an apple shape, which certainly doesn't help. I think it's hard for fitness conscious people to deal with being pregnant, as we are used to keeping up our high intensity workouts and having energy and all that. But when we are pregnant, we just can't do the same things and our appetites become out of control (though in the 3rd trimester that truly does slow down). I guess the thing that helps me the most is knowing this is temporary and my husband reminding me that he thinks I look beautiful. That really helps a lot. :) Take care, Annette. And try not to feel too bad. Pregnancy is a really beautiful thing and it will all be worth it in the end.

Hugs,
Erin
 
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