Lost 3.5 stone after DC1 and still squeezing !?

[TheRemotePart]

Had DC1 last year.
Put on 3.5 stone ( I didn’t mean to, but my hip was having none of it and I couldn’t breath properly!? So I ended up in lockdown eating and Netflix )
Cut to 8.5 months later , I now weigh 3 pound less than I was when I fell pregnant
And fitted my size 12 jeans fine.
Now I’m barely fastening a 14!?
I realise I’ve lost all muscle tone, but surely a 14 would be at comfortable? How on earth shall I get into my 12s? All those pounds!!
Waaaah

You know the answer to this though- your body has changed, as it is supposed to.
We are bombarded with this stuff about getting your body back, but actually it's not supposed to return to it's pre-pregnancy shape.
You have entered a new life phase biologically and you can't go backwards (yes some people do get some semblance of their pre-motherhood body back, but it isn't normal or the same).
Just as when we go from pre-pubescent to pubescent, our bodies change due to hormonal changes as well as physical ones. We don't expect to regain our pre-pubescent bodies, and the same thinking should apply to our post-pregnancy bodies.

Your body shape changes completely. I have recently lost a stone, all from my waist and hips. Not a single centimetre has shifted from my thighs, and that is where I desire fat loss the most. I put a skirt on that last fit me seven years ago, it's now too big, but can I heck get into the jeans I wore at that time because I can't get them over my legs.

It is an unfortunate truth that your post-baby body, even at your pre-pregnancy weight, may not be the same shape and size as your pre-pregnancy body.

I had to get rid of a load of pre-pregnancy clothes because they just didn't look right anymore. My rib cage also got bigger, so a lot of fitted dresses wouldn't zip up anymore, even with no weight gain. On the other hand, I now look much better in skinny jeans than I did before, so it's swings and roundabouts 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes this is all true enough.
I work with a lot of young woman in their early twenties, always lamenting that they’re not a size 6 anymore and I’m forever reminding them that they’ve now got their “ woman” shape and supposed to have their curves …
Oh god the rib cage thing does give me the fear. So much underwear and lovely dresses to chuck, never mind the jeans !
I actually can look at myself in the mirror and be fairly happy. I’d just rather be doing it in my favourite jeans I suppose! Haha!

I'm sure you'll find another pair of favourite jeans, though. I'm actually a much more adventurous dresser since having a baby because I felt like I was starting from scratch - I've really changed my look and I enjoy it a lot!