Body after baby...well, actually a toddler now

Hi,

I had dd 2 1/2 years ago. I looked decent before getting pg. I was never the healthiest eater or very much into exercise. I was able to wear a bikini and most types of clothes and look o.k. During my pregnancy, I gained 42 lbs.

I carried her all in the front. Not really anyplace else.

I lost all of the weight within about a year. But I have been sooo down on myself .... I will not wear shorts or a bathing suit...forget about being naked!!!! I weigh the same as before, but I sure don't look the same.

My stomach is gross. I feel like it looks about 4 months pg, my belly button still looks funny and it is covered in faded stretch marks. I definately think it has a lot to do with genetics-the type of skin you have.

I remember seeing Dr 90210-the plastic surgery show- when dd was a few weeks old and the Dr. said there is no way to exercise it away- only a tummy tuck will fix it. So, I feel like I have given up on myself. No diet, no exercise....nothing... I feel really sad and ashamed about what i have done to my body (or actually what I haven't done).

I definately want a tummy tuck after the birth of my next child (if and when that happens).

Is there any way to look nice in the meantime or is this it for me???

Are there any success stories out there????

Message edited 12/26/2006 10:28:30 PM.

Re: Body after baby...well, actually a toddler now

I am NOT a sucess story...my body is a total mess. I weight MORE now than I did post 9-month of having her. I hate my body and feel like a total failure with my weight.

Re: Body after baby...well, actually a toddler now

Dont be so hard on yourself. I feel the same way sometimes. I weigh the same as i did before i was PG but my body has def changed. My stomach too is not the same as it was when i was 24-25. I do workout (jazzercise) and do crunches upon crunches and I feel as though it is useless with getting it the way it used to be.

I have read that pregnancy causes the skin in the stomach to separate from the muscle and that is why it is so hard sometimes to get your tummy flat again. But dont give up on yourself. You dont have to go on some crazy diet and eat tofu sprouts, but if you just eat in moderation and relatively healthy and maybe go for walks i'm sure you will feel better.

I agree about the tummy tuck thing though, i told DH after the next child (if there is one) if my tummy still looks a little flabby, i'm totally getting a tummy tuck!

Hang in there...

Re: Body after baby...well, actually a toddler now

I think what you feel is normal and difficult but something you need to work on in your mind. I know my stomach still isn't the same and I am at 22 mo post. I lost my weight by 3 months but getting back my body just didn't happen quickly. I do feel over the last 4-6 months I have seen a big improvement. It was very depressing for a bit but I am getting better at excepting it will never be the same. My belly was always relatively flat and I wore a bikini without blinking and not having to work out a bit. Now the stretch skin- - urgh...I'd do crunches and stuff and no results. I did try Pilates over the summer and I did start to see a difference. I am not a work out person at all and unfortunately could not stick to it. I bought the 10 minutes ones geared to the abs and waist. It did start to tighen the stretched skin. Have you tried this - it is only 10 minutes and doing it a few times a week may make you mentally feel better too!!!

I think I have to just work on my self esteem...people tell me I look great - I just have a hard time feeling fine.

Good Luck to you

Message edited 12/27/2006 9:07:03 AM.

Re: Body after baby...well, actually a toddler now

Oh ladies, don't be so hard on yourselves! you shouldn't be ashamed. It is hard to get motivated after having a baby. Now that you have it in your head that you want to do something, maybe it will be a little easier. Start small and work your way up. Good luck!