Mom bods. We all see things in our bodies that are forever changed because of our children. I have stretch marks, a c-section scar, and a few extra pounds that I have accepted will stay with me forever.
A few Des Moines Mom contributors embraced our mom bods last summer when we had a swimsuit photoshoot.
I lost 50 pounds before I had my second child in 2018. It has been a slower slog to lose any weight this second time around. There are a few personal health factors that are causing this, but I have also accepted that this is just what my body is.
I live with hypothyroidism. Therefore, losing that 50 pounds was a Beyonce-level task. I had to be very diligent with my diet and workout routine. I felt great – but it consumed so much of my time and energy.
Find a Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle
This summer during our working-at-home time as a family I started running over my lunch break. I got as fast as I was when I was 50 pounds lighter! I am so proud of that, and it proves that weight shouldn’t really be a factor in your ability to workout. I ran 100 miles this summer, and I plan to run 100 more before my birthday in December.
Fellow contributor Kara wrote about why our bodies change, but the scale might not. Since I started running I feel stronger and have a bit more energy. It makes my future runs fun, putting me in a positive cycle to work out. Now, I am working on embracing the fact that my body may not change – but my strength will.
I want to find a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable.
So, I’ve sold all of my “skinny” clothes and started buying clothes in my current size instead of the “motivational” size. Living in the mindset of, “when I lose weight again,” is not good for my mental health. I am setting myself up for failure – and I’ve decided not to do that anymore.
Before we had kids everyone would “warn” us that our lives would change. We always told them, “That’s the point, isn’t it?”
If we wanted children to change our lives, can’t we also embrace that they changed our bodies forever? Let’s change our mindset by wearing those changes as points of pride.
How are you embracing yourself and your mom bod? What are you doing to stay strong and have energy?
