If you’re reading this it probably means I died. Or at least my ego did. And my vanity. Maybe I ate them? That could certainly explain things.
Let me back up a bit…
I gave birth to my daughter Kate in January–my proud exclamation point at the end of a truly amazing and wonderful pregnancy. I stayed really active during my pregnancy (another point of pride) and managed to gain less than 30 pounds, which I also managed to lose fairly quickly afterwards. YAY ME!
Yeah right.
Internet, meet my postpartum belly:
Me: 4 Months Postpartum
I was four months postpartum when I took this beauty of a self portrait. I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but looking NOTHING like my pre-pregnancy body.
I don’t even know what possessed me to take this picture–let alone share it with my Whores online friends mere moments later. I chalk it up to an incredible amount of frustration over having a body I didn’t even recognize, a need to vent, and the desire to test out the camera function on my new iPhone.
And now I’m (maybe…possibly…still haven’t hit “publish” yet…) sharing this picture with the world.
Here’s the deal–this picture was a real eye-opener for me. It was the digital proof I could not ignore that things had changed and I needed to change with them. This quickly became my action plan:
- Buy new clothes THAT FIT and ignore the size on the tag.
- Work out more often.
- Eat better.
It’s been three months since that first photo, and here’s where things are at today:
Me: 7 Months Postpartum
Now guess how much weight I lost between that first picture and this one…
NONE.
Not a single pound.
So what’s changed? Honestly, I think time has a lot to do with it. At four months postpartum my body still felt incredibly squishy and soft, and my belly was still sticking out so much that I actually took a pregnancy test because I’d convinced myself that was the only logical explanation for it! (Turns out I wasn’t having a second child–just still recovering from my first.) Over the past couple of months, however, things have finally started firming up a bit more and it’s beginning to feel like my old body again.
I’d love to tell you that I’ve been working out every day and eating better, but the truth is those are both things I’m still struggling to find the time, energy, and motivation to consistently do. The one thing I did follow through with was buying new clothes (mostly because that was the easiest, and I tend to prefer instant gratification over months of sweating and starvation). I think I was under the impression that trying to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy clothes would somehow motivate me to eventually fit into them, but in reality all it did was make me feel terrible about the way I looked. Once I got clothes that actually fit me, I began feeling so much better about my body!
I have to admit, I really wasn’t prepared for this. I thought losing the weight I’d gained during pregnancy would be the end of it, but clearly that isn’t the case.
So this is where things are at with me, my belly, and my ego. The three of us still have some work to do, but we’re getting there. It just takes time.
I loved this post. I lost all my weight by 4 months post partum as well, almost to the day, and looked NOTHING like I did pre pregnancy. It makes you HATE those girls who put on their skinny jeans 6 weeks after birth and think nothing of it. Will I ever have a flat stomach? Probably not, but there’s nothing wrong with eating right and exercising anyway. Love your blog
THANK YOU for posting this. I am 3 months postpartum and only the past week or so have I felt even a glimmer of hope that I might someday lose this belly (and hips and things and arms – LOL) that I put on while pregnant. I am so relieved to hear that someone else who was so fit prior to pregnancy is having the same troubles – makes me feel like maybe I am not doing it all wrong – but that it just takes time!
You go girl. I think it’s great how honest you are with your readers and with yourself! I don’t have kids yet, and I dread how my body will look after but I’m just going to roll with the punches-or extra weight if I have to.
You’re still gorgeous!
I could kiss you on the lips for this. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight (except it took me a year and I had gained about 50lbs OH THE ICE CREAM) and I was SO DEPRESSED about not looking the same.
Getting new clothes made all the difference. At first I thought that would be admitting defeat, but feeling so awful in my too-small pants (and shirts!) every day just made things worse.
I’m more motivated to take better care of myself when I FEEL better about how I look.
Thank you for the pictures. SO MUCH.
I love you for this. LOVE.
I lost the weight, but my body shifted. I don’t think I hit a happy point until recently. AND I bought new pants because that was half of the problem.
You are amazing.
Thank you.
Heres my thought to this…I went through such a severe Postpartum depression that when I finally “came to” I decided I missed the first 6 months of my sons life, I dont care about myself, so I did the same, bought bigger clothes and came to the realization that all the stretch marks (baby love lines I call them), the rolls of fat (ding dong rolls) and squishness was all so worth it and savored my time with my baby. At the 2 year mark, when I was out of breathe running after him, I finally shaped up and shipped out to the pavement again (Beachbody Insanity too worked like a charm!) and lost it all and wore a bikini the first time in 4 years (marks and all) and loved my body, until 3 months later and I get pregnant again. Now that I am pregnant again and after seeing you and your cute lil outfits, I too am embracing my new body- I am creating a life in there! And because of you, still run and stay active too! So keep inspiring us! You look fab and have a gorgeous baby to prove it! You’ll lose it. Now you will never had your pre body back- thank you Mother Nature and hips…but you’ll be close! GOOD LUCK! Keep posting! I check everyday and linked your blog to mine! -Melissa
Love this blog! Thanks for this post. Im 27 weeks preggo w/ #1 and my sweet hubby had the nerve to point out a picture of Giselle in a bikini 2 months after she had her baby…I was not amused! You look great!
YOU GO GIRL! And, you look great. I thought that in your “embrace the camera” post but didn’t leave a comment. My son is almost 2 (!) and I still have a soft tum but I am too lazy to work on just my stomach since I know I want to have another baby soon. Isn’t that horrible?! The good news is that I weight 10 lbs. less than I did when I actually got prego and after following you during your pregnancy, I am going to run as long as I can the 2nd time around. Thanks for inspiring so many of us!
Thank you for this post. I am only 2 months pregnant, but this really struck a cord. As healthy and fit as any of us can be, doesn’t mean it all just bounces back. Thank you for the reality check.
I know it’s been said several times already, but thank you for your honesty in posting this! I am 5 months postpartum, and as of yesterday I have lost all of my pregnancy weight (all 38 pounds of it!) I am active, I run 3-4x week and crosstrain 1-2x week but my midsection still has a long way to go! I think that women need to know that celebrities who lose the weight and have a flat belly 2 months PP are NOT the norm!!
Love this post. My son just turned 4 months old and I was staring at my stomach the other day thinking WTF is this about. It makes me feel better to know that things will tighten up as more months pass. I keep trying to remind myself that pregnancy lasted 9 months so clearly all the effects it has on my body won’t clear up in less… That reminder doesn’t always (usually) work!
Love your blog.
Yup, it does take time. It took nine months to get in the state you were after you gave birth, you should give it at least that long to recover, but in reality your body will never be the same. And just when you get things together … you’ll go and have another baby! You’re still gorgeous.
Thank you SO much for this post. I have been struggling to get back to my pre-baby body, but I really needed the reminder that it’s not about the size, it’s how you look and feel. Thank you!
Dusty, you look great! Thank you for being so candid in this post. No kiddos at CampDallas yet, but when the time comes, I appreciate having an idea of what to expect.
YES, YES, YES! This is exactly what I’m going through. It’s nice to hear that I’m not alone.
God bless you for posting this. I am down an additional 7lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight (thank you breastfeeding) & still have mushy gut. Everyone says to me, “Oh you look so great..blah, blah, blah”, but you know what NOTHING is in the same place from before baby. I have no time/energy to work out & my body hates me. It feels great to know I am not alone. Now I will eat my lunch salad & finish with a giant brownie.
I, very literally, LOLed at that first picture. At work. Love everything about it: the face, the finger, the post-baby flab. Perfection!
It took time for things to snap back for me, too.
Yep, I think it’s time I buy some more clothes.
Thank you so so much for this post (do I sound like a broken record due to the other 20+ women who wrote the same thing?)!
) Obviously you struck a cord.
P
I am now 11 weeks post partum, and NOTHING fits. I tried to buy some clothes the other day, but the size that fit was so large that I couldn’t do it. The truth is, I’m still up 14 pounds and I’m only 5’1″. So I’m going to give myself another 5 weeks (getting to 4 months) and then NEW CLOTHES IT IS. Let’s hope I loose a little more between now and then. Breastfeeding isn’t doing it for me – I need to add diet and exercise as well…
I LOVE YOUR BLOG – you have helped me through my pregnancy and now my baby boy’s first few months. I only wish you had to time to write more…
Girlfriend. Not to frighten you, but I’m still adjusting 2.5 years later. I’m actually 2 pounds lower than my pre-preg weight, and I still look soft around the middle parts. Sigh. But, worth it.
Ah! So Brave you are! I’m 3 1/2 years post partum and still look 6 months pregnant. I gained all 40 lbs. (each pregnancy) in my gut – and looked huge by 9 months! No other part of my body carried the excess weight – oh, except my feet – those suckers grew one whole size! I was devastated at my 6 week follow up check up when the doc said my uterus was back to normal. I looked at her and said, “well, than what the hell is this?!?!” as I grabbed my big flabby belly. She didn’t have an answer, but told me to cut out sugar and that should take care of it. Right.
Well, almost 4 years later, I clearly haven’t cut out the sugar and have only dropped about 15 of the 40 pounds. I came to peace with all of it when my son laid down next to me on the bed, lifted up my shirt, smacked my squishy belly and said, “ah…. my favorite spot.” Then promptly stuck his thumb in his mouth, laid his head on my belly and fell asleep.
I’m not the same person I was before my kids – and that is a good thing!
Keep up the great work!
This was a great post–and I applaud you for putting it “out there”!
Although I have yet to have a bambino (only been married a year, and I don’t think we’re “there” yet), I think that because you are aware of the need to be healthy and fit for your own well-being, but also to set an example and be there (all there) for Kate when she gets older is a really great thing–and no matter what shifts happen, you know when you feel good and when you look good. And if the number on the scale is the same, then who cares if the number on the tag changes. HEALTH is the word I’m looking for, here.
Oh Dusty…it’s posts like this that makes me love you. And give me hope to get a firmer midregion. In fact, I would be happy with the first photo type belly
XO – k
p.s. I love your hair long…it reminds me of Jen Aniston for some reasone !
I don’t understand why mothers don’t realize it takes 9 months for your body to get big enough to hold a baby, so it will take AT LEAST another 9 months for it to go back.
Be patient. You’ll get there.
LB
D ~
This post put a HUGE smile on my face! I gave birth to my daughter last Thursday and while I am AMAZED at how quickly I’m looking more normal, I am in awe of what my stomach looks like. I know my skin had to stretch a lot but good grief – what’s with this extra and very soft skin? It helps to hear your story…as a reminder that it’s okay to not have my ideal body back instantaneously. After all, I have a pretty sweet reason as to why it looks the way it does.
Oh, and I love your recommendation to buy new clothes. That is just what I’m going to do before I head back to work!
Great post! Hubs and I may want kids one day but I’m so hung up on what pregnancy is going to do to my body. I love hearing what other ladies have to say about adjusting to the post baby body.
You have got to be one of the most level-headed people I “know”! I hope when I get to where you are I can have half the perspective and patience you do.
Girl you look amazing!
Thank you!! I am a week away from 4 months postpartum and this is EXACTLY where I’m at! VERY squishy!! Good to know that things might change a little. Thanks for posting this!!
This is exactly what has been on my mind lately too! My son is almost 6 months and I only have about 7 more pounds to lose (gained 50!), but my pants still don’t fit!! Ug. I think buying some new well-fitting clothes is key. Thanks for posting about this. I think it just takes time. You’ll get there. We love you!!!
I’m so proud of you to do this post. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to do it. We see those pictures of celebrities 3 weeks post baby, and they are looking like super models, and think that there is something wrong with us because we still look mildly pregnant. I’ve had 2 kids and have struggled with both of them to get my body back to where it “should” be. But the truth is, after each kid, I had to go get new clothes that fit my new body. Each child changed my body. The trick is learning to love it regardless of how it has changed.
You are awesome.
And I totally didn’t notice ‘the bird’ in that first picture at first LOL!
All I have to say it I love you — you are beautiful.
And angelasw knows whats up!
Awesome!!! How amazing of you to post something that we can all SOOOO relate to. And by the way…you look great!
Go you! I stayed super active during mine since I was always a really active person and only gained 20 lbs! (except that last month I somehow managed to pile on another 20 without doing anything different.
I jumped back into exercising after my little bundle of joy. And guess what!? I’m still exactly the same. Havent lost a pound and I’m pretty sure I’ve actually gotten bigger. I guess we are all different :\
Love this post. The reason I love your blog is for your honesty and keeping it real – and your fashion sense! But yes it does take time for things to start looking normal again!
you rock!
Thank you so much for posting this. I’m 4 months post partum and still have that belly. It sucks. Because I still have all my purple stretch marks and everything. It seems as if I’ll never look like I used to. So this post really made me feel better. And I’m not one to exercise regularly and eat really really well.
So thank you. This helps to give me some hope that this flappy thing hanging around my waist WILL go away someday!
Yes, it just takes time! As you, I gained about 30 lbs during both my pregnancies (ok, maybe a tad more with the second) and lost the weight fairly quickly after, but my waist looked nothing like it did pre-precnancy. It took some time to mold itself back into a shape close enough to what it once was. Even now, it’s still not the same as it used to be, and I’m sure it never will be. Times change, your body changes — and everytime I look down at my slightly loose belly I think of my two beautiful children! Now for a glass of wine, and moving on
Cheers!
So glad you posted this. I’m 5 months pregnant with twins, my body is definitely not my own anymore and now that I’m half-baked I’m wondering if it ever will be again? I’m too young to have the best years of my body behind me. Egotistical? Yes. True? Absolutely. I’ve never appreciated the way I looked B.C. (before child) more than I do now that I may never see that body again…
thanks for sharing. i have a five month old and work full time, so i just couldn’t get motivated to exercise once i finally pick her up from daycare and get home.
well earlier this month someone asked me if i was pregnant again. after biting her head off–i mean politely telling her no–i decided that maybe it was time to actually step on a scale and figure out where i’m at. i gained 30 lbs during pregnancy and lost about 20 of it in the first few months. but it turns out that i’ve gained weight since returning to work when she was three weeks old.
i’ve started trying to make better food choices, but the exercise thing is still a hope for the future.
i have such an appreciation for my pre-pregnancy body now that i didn’t have before. if i can make it back there i promise not to take it for granted again.
You are awesome, as everyone else has said. I had my second little one 4.5 months ago and have 6 more pounds to loose. I gained way more with #2, but even when I loose that last little bit, I will in no way look good, and my sister’s wedding is in 5 weeks! It’s been a good motivation, but still discouraging, so THANK YOU for sharing that I’m not alone!
I mean, I’ve heard that a body after a pregnancy can be sort of wicked but geez, this is wild! You look amazing and even though you haven’t really been working your ass off sweating and starving yourself, your body sure had changed shapes again and it looks amazing! Thanks for showing the truth about what comes even though it wasn’t your best shot…
You’re looking great!!!
Thank you for that post!!! I’m three months postpartum and it feel like you described all of the frustrations I have with my body. Now I know I just have to be patient and my efforts will pay off soon
Wow im so jealous!
It took me a year. Started 6 weeks after I had my son and went on a strict diet and rigorous exercise for a whole entire year [I had gained 80lbs when I was preggo
].
But even today… 2.5yrs after I gave birth, even though I am UNDER my pre-pregnancy weight, everything has pretty much shifted. Boo.
All I can say is Thank You! I lost all my prego weight, and I still can’t fit any of my pants. It is tragic, but stuff has just moved around!
You are such a breath of fresh air. Funny, truthful, real. Good post.
And such a lady too. Lol, first photo.
jbhat
You look great to me, girl!!
Thank you for being REAL. That took a lot of courage and I really appreciate the honesty! PS I still think you are adorable and as stylish as ever!! I love your outfit posts! They always inspire me!
I seriously love you for posting this! You are beautiful no matter what size you are. My youngest son is now 4 & I am still a work in progress. Mainly because I have a hard time being consistent w/ my eating & workouts- but that is okay. I will keep trying & I will keep loving my body anyway for the gifts it gave me & for the things I can do rather than the way it looks. Thanks for keeping it real!
Thank you so much for posting the reality of the after effects of having a baby. After having body issues and eating disorders most of my life, I was really wasn’t expecting it to take 9 months to get my pre-pregnancy body back. My daughters one now and I’m back into my skinny clothes but it took about 9 months. .Thanks for being so brave to share!
You have balls!!! but really you look fabulous, you are absolutely beautiful!
You go girlfriend! You look great – thanks for being real!
you are awesome! Thanks for this post. Just thinking about pregnancy and weight and all that gets me stressed. I love everything about this!
You look freaking fantastic.
You just made me feel so NORMAL. Thank you so much.
Well I even wasn’t pregnant and still have my belly like your first picture, it was some major illness, then divorce etc. But I am working out 3 times a week and eathing healthy so I hope to be able to wear my little black dress this christams.
So – you look great.
I’m glad you did this post. After I read it I went through my closet and gave away all the clothes that don’t fit and that I might fit into some day! So what it I have to wear a large, no one sees the size but me, and if it looks great, then so be it!
I am sooo with you! I lost the pregnancy weight fairly quickly but a year after giving birth have not gotten my pre-pregnancy body back, which is depressing. I just started hitting the gym-hopefully that will help. Thanks for the honesty of this post!!
Thank you for this pic of pure honesty! I am a mere 12 weeks pregnant and have already put on some LB’s. I am freaking out and everyone says not to worry about it… I like the cold hard truth. So glad I ran across your post. It will serve as encouragement to keep under the 30 pound gain.
P.S. your 9- month post pic looks amazing:)