Body After Baby

Here's the thing about "getting your old body back" after having a baby (or two or three...) You won't. Your body is permanently changed and for good reason. You grew a human and pushed it out! (or had assistance, which works too, and has changed you EVEN MORE, that's surgery! It's trauma to the body!) My point, you are a mother now. Organs shifted, muscles changed, skin stretched, nutrients were lost and your body composition rearranged so that you could form a perfect human. Phew. You need to start by giving yourself kudos for all of that. But now what?

Society, including social media and magazines talk about 'losing the baby weight' and 'getting your body back' but those expressions are not only toxic, but just wrong all around. You are a new being, a mom, and your priority is keeping this tiny human alive and well. Love is a verb and boy will it exhaust you in those first few months (years.) That said, I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't lose weight or strive to regain lost strength, mobility, flexibility, etc... YOU need to be a priority as well. If you're not taking care of YOU, your mothering (and wife-ing and life-ing) will suffer as well. Been there, done that.

After baby number two, I knew I had to rearrange my schedule to be the best mommy I could be to both my newborn and six year old son and not lose myself in the mix. With support from my husband (be vocal ladies! That's a whole 'nother post) I was able to do things for myself to help me feel good both inside and out while also being there for my family and being the mom I want to be. Paint your OWN picture of a good mom and do that. Take care of YOU, ask for help and don't listen to society. Prioritize and when "you" time comes into play (because sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't) use it wisely and towards the big picture of who you want to be. A belly that loved and nurtured a baby is not ugly or wrong. But if you're feeding yourself guilt and donuts and anger, then re-focus on nurturing YOU and things that bring you peace and happiness- baby time, family time and most importantly, mommy time.