Jealous Of The SnapBack
Vulnerability ALERT!
🤍 My Story: I am a mother of 2 boys. I didn’t feel that great in my body after having my first son but hey I finally started to come around and even began to get some weight off. Then BAM pregnant again… so unexpectedly but that’s a story I will save for another post. 😰😰 Anyway… where was I? Oh yeah!! Gained a TON of weight in this latest pregnancy and was swollen super early to the point I couldn’t walk up and down the stairs and had to cook sitting down in a chair for the last two months. My body became unrecognizable. I started to vent to my best friend about it and she said hey your baby is still young you need time to heal at least for a year. A YEAR???? In my best Soulja Boy voice!! Why can some people have three, four, five, and six kids and look nothing like how I do? Drum Roll please…… GENETICS, pre existing medical conditions, diet, level of exercise, etc. There are sooooooo many reasons why we all look different after having children. I should have looked at my family history. And to answer the question you’re thinking…. No we don’t look great after having children lol Genetics aren’t on my side in that department. I love my sons. I can’t believe I carried and gave birth to them. My body went through the most unimaginable things and here are two healthy boys. I should be grateful and happy! I should be damn proud!! But……. I’m a little lot of bit jealous of the women I see SnapBack to standards of beauty and I’m lugging around this enormous piece of belly and my legs look like the turkey legs you get at the medieval 🏰 conventions. I know what you’re saying….. girl go work tf out! Here comes those genetics again. I’ve tried and I have lost some weight but the amount of pain my body is in even when I do the Bare Minimum is beyond me. And I will continue to do it so that I can obtain the results I’m going for but sometimes I do wish that genetics were just on my side and it didn’t seem like a far long journey. Ok what’s this post really about though? Nothing lol just venting and sharing my frustrations and hopefully reaching a fellow girlie who didn’t snap back like me. You’re still a super women! Motherhood is HARD and it takes a toll on the mind and body! You will get there! Go at your own pace and what is good for your body and your mind. The race is not given to the swift but those who can endure until the end!
Ps. I haven’t been slim thick since 2017 lol I know what I look like at my best but also I have to take into account that was before I had children. Not to say my goals are unrealistic but my body is not the same body and requires a different approach this time around. Whatever size you are; do what is good for YOU!! #Lemon8Diary #healthylifestyle2024 #embracevulnerability #shareyourthoughts #blackgirlcreator #momlife #weightlossmotivation
Reading this, I felt every single word deep in my soul. It’s so easy to feel like you’re the only one watching other moms seemingly ‘snap back’ overnight, while your own postpartum body feels completely foreign. But let me tell you, you are absolutely not alone in this journey. The pressure to look a certain way after having children is immense, and it often ignores the incredible physical and emotional marathon our bodies just ran. It’s not just genetics, although that plays a huge role. Our bodies go through such profound changes during pregnancy and childbirth that simply can’t be reversed with a few workouts. Think about it: your uterus grew to accommodate a human, your organs shifted, your abdominal muscles stretched (sometimes leading to diastasis recti), and your pelvic floor endured immense pressure. Then there are the hormonal fluctuations after birth that can affect everything from metabolism to mood. It’s a complete transformation, and expecting to revert to a previous state instantly is just unrealistic for most of us. I know the feeling of looking at your abdomen in the mirror and seeing changes you never anticipated – the beautiful, sometimes silvery, stretch marks that tell a story, a softer navel, or even the faint linea nigra that lingers. These are all badges of motherhood, evidence of the incredible life you brought into the world. It’s hard to reconcile these visible changes with the societal ideal, but what if we started viewing them as part of our powerful journey instead of flaws? It’s a mental shift that takes time and a lot of self-compassion. Instead of chasing the 'snap back,' which often feels like chasing a ghost, what if we focused on rebuilding our strength and nurturing ourselves from the inside out? That might mean gentle walks that don't cause pain, nourishing our bodies with good food for energy rather than restriction, or simply allowing ourselves more rest. Our bodies are healing, recovering, and adapting to a new normal. This isn't about giving up on feeling good in your skin; it's about redefining what 'feeling good' means. It’s about celebrating the small wins – that extra minute you walked, the healthy meal you cooked for yourself, or even just acknowledging your feelings without judgment. It’s also crucial to remember that what you see on social media often isn't the full picture. Many 'snapback' stories are either highly curated, supported by surgical interventions, or come from individuals with unique genetic predispositions and resources. Comparing your raw, real postpartum journey to someone else's highlight reel is a recipe for disappointment. Instead, seek out communities where real struggles are acknowledged and celebrated. Talk to friends, join online groups (like this one!), or even consider speaking with a therapist if body image issues are significantly impacting your mental health. Motherhood is tough, and our bodies are constantly working overtime. Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and remember that your worth is not tied to your waistline or how quickly your body 'recovers.' Your strength, your love, and your resilience as a mother shine far brighter than any physical ideal. Find your tribe, share your thoughts, and know that every step towards self-love, no matter how small, is a victory.