I’ve been back and forth in my mind about posting these photos. Not because I feel embarrassed or ashamed. Actually, I’m not entirely sure why I wouldn’t post them, I guess posting pictures of yourself in undies isn’t the done thing unless your name’s Kim Kardashian but I really wanted to share what a ‘real’ post baby body looks like; no airbrushing, no fancy lighting and no fake tan.
Anyway, I remember the shock after giving birth to Logan seven years ago. I cried over my body image so many times. My tummy felt like crepe paper. No one ever told me about this side of motherhood. I guess I never planned motherhood at 24 years of age. I assumed being so young I’d just spring back. Instead, I comfort ate which only exacerbated the problem. You just don’t see pictures of post baby bodies do you? Unless you’ve had a baby you wouldn’t really know what to expect!
I’m not advocating these horrendous post baby diet body’s you see in magazines but I just want to be back to normal, back to what I was prior to growing a human and back wearing the clothes I have stacked up in my wardrobe from 9 months ago. Matt and I were watching Springwatch a couple of nights ago and they were discussing lactating sows. I said to Matt “I’m a lactating sow aren’t I?” and he just chuckled and continued with whatever he was doing. But that’s kind of how I feel. Like a sow. A bit lazier than usual, a bit smellier than usual, dripping milk every time Elsie cries and slightly wirey haired!
Not a pretty picture, granted.
Anyway, I’ve lost 1st and 7lbs minimum since Elsie’s birthday, 3 weeks ago. I say minimum as the last time I weighed myself it was the week before I delivered Elsie so potentially I’ve lost even more. The numbers keep going down and every time I try my old clothes on they’re getting looser. I’ve managed to squeeze myself back into my pre maternity leggings; no doubt they’re see through but I’m in them!
The first image below was taken about 12 hours after I delivered Elsie. Despite having been through child birth twice prior to this, I still felt shocked at what I had been left with. The subsequent photos are 1 and 3 weeks postpartum (not sure where week 2 went). I still have over a stone to lose before I’m somewhere close to where I want to be but it’s going in the right direction and I now feel well enough to start exercising; I’ve even been considering a run!
However, if you’re reading this and are pregnant for the first time please do not despair. After my first baby I got in the best shape of my life after dropping 47lbs thanks to WeightWatchers!
I think you look great hun!! xxx
Author
Thanks Katy – the photos definitely help me so how far I have come already and remind me not to be too hard on myself!xx
You look beautiful (as always). I wish I was brave enough to pose in my undies! But this is definitely such a brilliant thing to do. Growing a baby is bloody hard work and our bodies are bound to take a while to bounce back into shape. Nine months on and nine months off – seems to be a common believe. But we definitely should not be ashamed of our post-partum bodies because they have done something miraculous. I love you so much for posting this. It is so brave and shows a real mum’s body. Hugs Lucy xxxx
Author
Thank you so much Lucy 🙂 I love to track my progress in photo form so when the weight does eventually come off I can feel proud of how far I have come. It’s so easy to beat yourself up for not losing weight quickly enough or not losing enough but through taking photos I can see I have already done really well! x