When I returned to work after maternity leave, I realised it was time to rethink my personal style when a very nice lady offered me her seat on the Tube, assuming I was pregnant. I guess I hadn’t been rocking the floaty top, boxy jacket and scarf quite how I intended. I declined not only the seat but the opportunity to inform her I wasn’t pregnant, that I was just carrying some post-pregnancy weight.
At times I get very angry that one of the biggest stories in women’s magazines always seems to be post-baby bodies and weight. At other times, I feel like you might as well try to change the entire world as stop the pressure that prompts women to look in the mirror, grab a handful of flesh and sigh heavily.
I’ve done it. And by “done it” I mean tried to lose weight ever since I had my daughter.I’ve hit cycling and dance classes. I’ve tweaked my back and injured my hamstring. I’ve also along the way found exercises that leave me feeling stronger, tighter, with better posture and a bit of an endorphin buzz.
Yet the needle on the scales rarely moves. It has stayed pretty much the same save for a 4-week period several years ago when I exercised intensely and ate carefully. (It made me so happy that I celebrated with Champagne, dinners out and a break from Bikram, after which I was back at my usual weight.)
We all know it’s hard to fit in exercise and regimented eating with actual parenting duties, between feedings and sleep, then between nursery run and play dates, then between school clubs and sports tournaments. Not to mention our own adult pursuits. Should we even be thinking about it?
Maybe now is the time we finally worry less about the “post-baby body” or “losing the baby weight” and instead think about feeling great again as we move through the worldd. When will I lose the baby weight and “get back” my pre-pregnancy body? It’s about 18 years and counting. You?
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About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
Carolin
Friday 13th of June 2014
If she offered you a seat, she'd offer me the entire carriage.
M Thomson
Monday 9th of June 2014
Well it's been 4 years since my baby boy was born and with is 4th birthday fast approaching it's time to loose that final 14lbs to get back to the weight I was before I had kids.
The thing is, I work full time have 2 kids and in general juggle life all the time. I know what I need to do, but some days I just need a pick me up in the form of cake or wine (obviously only once kids have gone to bed).
The thing is - my kids love me no matter what my size !! So right now, I'd rather enjoy them when I have some free time and deal with my weight a pound at a time
Jennifer Howze
Monday 9th of June 2014
I think that's a good attitude. Better to make small changes that over time lead to weight loss than the short term diet thing, which is miserable and doesn't last long. One less chocolate, having salad for lunch rather than sandwiches and at the end of the year the scale says something nice to you.
Niki
Monday 9th of June 2014
It's been 4 months, and I can't even think about it yet. I had intended on doing something at about 3 months, but as you say things are too busy...and chocolate is so tempting!
Jennifer Howze
Monday 9th of June 2014
4 months? I only felt ready to truly think about "mummy tummy" after 12.
Joy
Monday 9th of June 2014
Mine was 4 year and counting then another one came along so now its 5 months and counting and the pressure is worse than it has ever been. The thought of losing the baby weight is on my mine every time I wake up, every time I eat, every time Im choosing what to wear. Its really hard and unfair that such pressure is put on worn. Aside from taking care of the kids we are being asked to do so many other things. NOT FAIR. My 5 year old now calls my tummy belly belly OUCH and once told me I shouldn't be taking picture of my outfits for my blog because I am too fat and that her size 6 aunty should. That hurt me because at 5 years old she already has this idea that that is how women should look.
Jennifer Howze
Monday 9th of June 2014
Joy you're breaking my heart with the comments of your daughter. It's hard when we ourselves are feeling blah about how we look but trying not to transmit that. My daughter and her father frequently joke about "daddy's belly" but we don't make the same jokes about mummy's muffin top.