Post baby body

[overthemoonbymidnight]

I'm so depressed about the way I look. I used to be a size 10 / 12 and more than happy with my weight and body.

I'm now a 16. I had a very heavy baby a year and a half ago, I put on a lot of weight during pregnancy and even more after birth. I had a c section and although the scar doesn't bother me at all, the loose skin, stretch marks, saggy tummy, etc is all just leaving me feeling so depressed.

Some of you will say those are to remind me how amazing my body is to have made such a wonderful baby, or that those are my battle wounds and that I survived. It just doesn't feel like that. I see my reflection in the mirror, in cars or shop windows and just want to cry. I hate seeing pictures of myself. I don't know who I am anymore. I hate the way my body feels, looks, moves. Everything.

I've lost 10lbs and I should be proud of myself but the skin gets more loose and more saggy and I'm just more embarrassed and more ashamed of how I look.

I don't really know what response I'm looking for from people. That it gets better? That you get used to it? I don't know. Maybe just writing it down will help.

I’ll get old but my diamonds won’t

Your gran is a wise woman @llamapyjamas!

OP its so tough, you're not alone. I found the whole body image negativity combined with the "but you had a baby" bullshit really difficult to cope with. It ruins your independent identity. Oh so I had a baby and that means I look like shit and feel like shit. I ended up with PND and had CBT. I'm trying to apply those principles to my eating and body. Catching the unhelpful thoughts and trying to change them into something less harmful. Instead of looking at my stomach and feeling deep shame, I try to focus on my stretch marks fading l. I remind myself that I have lost weight so far and kept it off, even when I fall off the diet wagon.

It's definitely a slow process but remind yourself of how far you have come so far. And get 30 second shred for nap time!

It was! But not in pregnancy due to hip pain. Pre pregnancy I swam everyday and did kickboxing three days a week for an hour.
It's depressing how unfit I am!

For your mental health do try and see a post natal physio @spanglyprincess1 just so you can get back to your way of life pre baby, safely post baby

Ok!!! Patronising lecture time over xxx

Thanks @Bobbiepin I hope things are improving for you!! So much of it is about mindset and self motivation. Those things aren't easy to get hold of when tired and stressed!! I like the idea of catching the unhelpful thoughts and changing them! Thank you!

@LlamaPyjamas totally agree

A class is the only way to go, at home your posture will probably be off and you could do more damage then good. Plus the classes are so good for your confidence.

Exercising after a break for me always starts like this: First its about loosing the weight, then it's about being healthy, and lastly it becomes about mental health.

Get thee to a class woman, Pilates once a week and a post natal fitness class, this will help with toning and weight loss as well as core strength and knitting those stomach muscles back together

Ok I've found a class. Now to get the courage to go. And find some funds - they're not cheap are they?!

Hi Op/all

I was going to write a similar thread as I'm suffering from Diastasis as well and my little girl is turning 1 within the next wk. I also start work next month and feel really frumpy as I look about 4 months pregnant . I'm on a mission to get back down to 8 stone which I haven't been for a while, so have just over 2 stone to loose, but I've been eating rubbish for too long and I love cheese too much, rice crackers and bread has been my favourite snack

I've also actually just booked an appointment with an NHS physio next wk, not sure if it will be of any help, but I'm hoping they've got some exercises I can do? apparently it's recommended you try and close the separated muscles as much as possible not just to look better but also physically as it can cause bad posture and back problems later on. I think it's all related to your core I'd imagine.
Anyway, before being pregnant I was never super slim, but I just hate my tummy and with turning 40 at the end of the year so feel like I need to correct the weight now before it becomes to much of a struggle.
Sending all you lovely mummies positive vibes

I cannot recommend Buggy Fit classes enough. You take your baby and work out in a local park with others next to your buggy/rug with baby on. The instructors are mainly focused on your core and helping women with separated stomach muscles. Plus its cheap, like 5 pounds a session or less if you buy 10 at once or something.

And you do a lot of pelvic floor in them too, plus they run all year round!

@ChampooPapi sadly my little one won't sit it his buggy for that long and if he's not strapped in with run riot!!

*will

Don't worry, a lot of the babies crawl all over the place and everyone just pitches in. Plus most people put them on a blanket with toys and stuff, everyone feeds at some point during the class, its very informal

If mine still crawled it might be an option. But he runs. Far and fast! Chasing him around is a workout in itself!

I still have a saggy tummy at the bottom

I'm pregnant again and my tummy looks like an upside down B😑