Before I had my children I was fairly confident in the way my body looked. I used to sport short t-shirts, have my midriff on display and prance around in low cut jeans. Now, I can usually be found in high waisted jeans and a jumper, no flesh on show and comfort has taken over…how times have changed.
There are parts of my post pregnancy body that I quite like (my boobs, or sacks as I like to call them, are bigger and fuller than the fried eggs I once had) and then there are other parts that, quite frankly I don’t like anyone to see.
My mum is lucky enough to have carried four children and has gained 0 stretch marks…none. I did not inherit this trait. I on the other hand, have a stomach which resembles a page from an A-Z. This is not an exaggeration, I wish it was, they are serious. While I do not like the reflection of the stomach I see glaring back at me and the fact that at this moment I would not consider wearing a low cut bikini (I have high waisted ones that cover my lines up) I really do want to change my perspective and accept, even appreciate my stretch marks. I don’t want to see them as unattractive, unflattering and ugly. I want nothing more than to be able to look at them as stripes earned through change and the miracle of growing and carrying our beautiful children as lots of women do. I want to see them as Mr Be does. He knows how I feel about them and will kiss my stomach which brings tears to my eyes. He doesn’t care about them. I’m just not there…yet.
But, how do I get there? Does anyone else feel this way? Wanting to accept your body image completely but still have that annoying, negative, niggling feeling you can’t shake? Talk to me…
Complete self acceptance is a key thing for me going forward into 2018, to feel comfortable, confident and beautiful in the skin I’m in……
7 Comments
Can totally relate! Except for the full boobs – mine are still developing *prays*
Not sure what the answer is, but stretch marks are likely to be around for a while so what about focusing on things that you can control rather than things you can’t? Dress yourself in the way that you want to dress, know that you look good and that will shine through. Tbh, no-one is looking at your stretch marks apart from you – we’re all too busy tryna hide that one thing we don’t like about us! ? xx
Ps. Your hubby sounds wonderful! xx
Thanks for your comment Cee. Notice i said fuller not full…lol.
You are 100% right. There is nothing i can do about them..apart from going under the knife and I’m not about that life, so i will just have to suck it up and get on with it. Confidence comes from within and i suppose that is what i see when i look at photos of women showing off their post pregnancy bodies.
As for Mr Be… he will do 🙂
I feel you. I’ve struggled with the changes in my body ever since I gave birth to my first born. It’s been tough but I’ve learned to accept it.
It really is difficult isn’t it. No one prepares you for the changes you go through but I think the answer is time. Hopefully in time I will learn to accept my body too. Thank you for commenting 🙂
I loved it, I wish I read it sooner. This is exactly how I feel. Everyone else seems to complement my body and say I look good for a mother of two but I always take the ‘you look good for a mother of two’ comments negatively. 2018 is the year of #selflove #selfacceptance #positivethinking ❤️
Thanks for commenting Rebecca! I’m so glad you loved it and found that you relate. It really is so hard but we will get there. I’m determined. Self love..goal no. 1.x
I used to feel this way. I can’t honestly put a finger on what changed my perception of my body. I hope you find your comfort zone. Really enjoyed this honest post x