Stretch marks

C

cyclecat

Active Member
It seems like no matter how psyched I get over my fitness gains, it's all outweighed by my disgust over the way my body looks because of stretch marks I got with my first pregnancy. They are truly awful, and I'm depressed that I will never wear a bikini again no matter how fit I am. Plus I still have a pretty flat stomach, but it's just riddled with lines. I have friends who gained as much weight as I did (40 lbs.) and didn't get ANY. I don't know how to get my head around this, I never see anyone with them as bad as mine (except on
one of those extreme plastic surgery shows) and I have really, really lousy body image because of them. To put it simply, I'm ashamed of my appearance. I won't even go in women's showers anymore.
 
All I can say is that it's the jeans that gave you the stretch marks. I have really bad stretch marks too. My stomach seriously sags, and is wrinkly at the bottom and I gained 40 lbs during my pregnancy too.
As far as being ashamed, I used to be, I've grown used to it now, but still wouldn't mind them going away, obvioulsy. All I can tell you is to keep in mind that those are there because you created life. It's maybe more of a trolphie (sp?) to show everyone that you are a mother, and that your body worked hard to create your child. I have learned to live with the fact that I will never wear a bikini ever again. I never wore them to begin with, so it's not that bad for me I guess. I remember telling my husand in tears how ugly I was after giving birth because of all the stretch marks. He told me without skipping a beat that he loved those stretch marks because they are there because of our baby.
Granted I have other issues to deal with my body image, and I'm trying hard to work on those. But the stretch marks, I know that i can't change and no matter how hard I workout they will never go away. So, I've learned to live with them. It's all I can do.
I hope that this helped a little.

Kathy
 
Thanks Kathy, it does help. Sometimes I feel like the only one out there. I won't go in women's showers without being all covered up, I just wish I could be less ashamed, but I NEVER see anyone else with them in the locker room! Maybe we're like a secret society...
 
I am sorry you are so ashamed of them. I understand, as I have things I don't like anyone to see either. My butt is too ugly for words. I wanted to reassure you that stretch marks are hereditary. It's not how much weight you gained, but whether you "chose your parents carefully". If your body is toned and tights, why can't you just wear clingy clothes, or a tankini? If you don't have the lumpy belly that most people have, and it's just stretch marks, then it seems like you still have a lot of options.

I hope you feel better about them soon.
 
Hi,

I know it can be discouraging, and I have them pretty bad too. I decided, what the heck, and I wear a bikini anyway. I have a pool, and can kick around without anyone seeing me anyway. I also have some issues with sagging in the lower stomach around a C-section scar. I know those abs are rock-hard underneath all that stretched skin, however, and I am sure yours are, too.

I did find that doing plank work has helped a little with sagging skin issues, but you are right about the stretch marks. They won't go away, no matter how much working out we do. My gyno told me when I was pregnant that I could put all the cream I wanted on my stomach, stretch marks were due to genetics.

I am lucky in that all of my stretch marks seem to be underneath the belly button area. I once bought several cute two-piece bathing suits that came up a little higher towards the belly button. They are actually pretty flattering depending on your figure type. (I am a pear). I don't know if that's an option for you, but please know that this is probably a common problem for more people than you realize. Hang in there!!!!

Sandra
 
You should be proud of yourself. Your selfworth is not defined by your body however imperfect you may see it. You are a strong, healthy woman who needs to take pride in yourself and how well you take care of yourself. I too have stretch marks and cellulite. When in a public place by all means keep covered up if it makes you feel more comfortable, but haven't you see the women with saddle bags, thunder thighs or whatever else parading around in the locker room? Its okay-we all come in different shapes and sizes and need to be comfortable with ourselves. I say again that our body type does not define who we are, nor should it. I have never worn a bikini nor do I ever intend to, but that is a personal choice for me. Being flat chested with a big butt and thighs, I know that a bikini would definitely not be flattering on me. But I have a strong defined upper body that looks quite nice in one piece with criss cross, low cut back. You just need to find things that are flattering to you and accept yourself, stretchmarks and all. :9

Diana
 
HI Cyclecat,

There was recently another post about this:

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=81844&mesg_id=81844&page=2

Let me say, boy do I feel for ya! Stretch marks can do a number on your confidence and body-image. As I mentioned in the other post, I distinctly remember getting my first stretch mark when I was 13. It was a purple squiggle on my hip, and I thought I had a blood clot or some horrible disease. Since then, the marks have accumulated on my hips, inner thighs, near my underarms, even on the back of my calves. I despise swimsuits and won't even think about shorts. I'm very conscious raising my arms when sleeveless, too. I am always worried that someone will notice and ask what it is. I don' think people in their early 20's are very familiar with stretch marks. It plain old stinks.

As the others said, it's genetic. And unfair lol! I too have friends that have gained and lost weight, had children, and have no marks. By the way, I have all these marks but have never been pregnant.

I wish I had some amazingly inspirational thing to say, but unfortunately, I don't. I hope you are at least comforted knowing that you are not alone!

Gina
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top