I wanted to talk honestly about my post baby body....eek. Violet is four months old now. We've known for a while that we would be going on holiday for my sister in laws 40th with a big group of friends when she got to 4 months... yes thats right getting into swimwear 4 months after giving birth (and around people that know me!) What a scary thought it was. Below: Post baby 4 month pic from our recent holiday - ok so I've hidden my tummy with a baby and I have a tan but you can see my lumps and bumps still right..I really don't care!
Here are my pre baby body photos - in younger, skinnier and perter boobed days....(she weeps)
I've been lucky, I think, I've always been relatively tall, had big boobs and good long legs (thanks to 2 good long legged parents). I've always been a biggish size 12, one thing I have never been blessed with is a flat stomach (which in some ways is good as I can't imagine those who have how they must feel post baby!) or small waist, I'm super curvy. As my mother always told me - 'you have child bearing hips', thanks mum. This has never stopped me wearing a bikini. I know I'm not fit and toned but I've just never really cared that I'm a bit big for a bikini. As soon as I get a tan (again I'm blessed as I tan quickly, much to my Scottish husbands annoyance), I feel less self conscious about my body and feel I can get away with my flabby tum a bit more! Anyway, the world is a different place now, 2 babies later and boobs that have breastfed and dropped my body is a bit of a mess. I've also discovered back boobs - you know those horrid bits of back fat you can grab a load of at the top of your back, nice. With Finn, first time round, I breastfed and this really helped with the weight dropping off but was definitely counterbalanced by the vast volumes of cake consumed. I wasn't one of those mums who did or was bothered about doing the buggy fitness in the park or exercise, I was more concerned over what the hell to do with a baby and making new mummy friends. However second time round I feel more determined to feel better about my body quicker, plus I wasn't breastfeeding and once again eating cake and milky coffees. So, I've been attending a jogging club, yes thats right a jogging club, in the park , every Tuesday evening for the past 9 weeks. I hate jogging, in fact I really hate exercise, getting hot and sweaty is not for me, I'm lazy and I love my food too much too. However this jogging club has been amazing! Well amazing as running around a park for an hour can be. I get to go out every Tuesday night after the kids are in bed, have time to myself, enjoy the light summer evening, fresh air, get some exercise, chat to other people and it has been good for the soul. We are supposed to run a 5k marathon at the end of it....watch this space. I'm not saying I'm a mega toned or skinny mama now, in fact still VERY much the opposite with my lumps and bumps, but it has at least it's made me feel like I've done something rather than spend my days eating cake. As for my pelvic floor well that's still all kind of wrong - holding wees and poos is particularly testing, now I just need to do some pilates classes to get that sorted, no idea where I get the time for that but I think combining the two will be all kinds of sort out.
I want other mums out there to know that it doesn't matter how you look post baby - you've given birth and life to a little tiny person/s, its amazing! You look hot as a mama regardless - carrying a baby is super sexy! Embrace your mum bod. Some people are lucky and snap back into shape but more often than not we don't! It's so hard juggling motherhood and dealing with the pressure of staying in shape. I'm proud of my flabby baby tummy, it will always be there! There is then great swimsuit vs. bikini debate - I did start doing swimsuits but actually weirdly felt more self conscious in it. Do what feels right for you, there are certainly an amazing choice in swimsuits at the moment and they are bang on trend. Otherwise get a big hat and shades - always a good distraction from a tum :)
In the mean time here are a few good ideas for helping on holiday, I know kaftans and beach kimonos are the way forward for me!
Be proud of your mum body, and if you fancy getting some fresh air and excercise I can't recommend joining a jogging club enough. Check your local Facebook page, coffee shops or council websites for information on jogging clubs in your area.
#embracethemumflab