Well, it’s almost that time again. Time to make those New Year resolutions that go so well until those delicious king cakes hit the shelves at grocery stores. In years past, I’ve made my fair share of “lose weight and commit to health” resolutions, and this year I’m sure I’ll make some version of that to be a better version of myself. 2015 brought a big change to my life and with that a new, more realistic view of those old stand-by resolutions. With the birth of my second child last February, I gained more than just a son; I gained more confidence as a mother, a little more laid back attitude toward life, and some changes to my physical appearance. So I’ll enter 2016, rockin’ a mom bod (sans mom jeans), and I challenge all moms to confidently do the same.
I guess you could say I’ve been working toward my resolution for a few years now but a little more wisdom has taught me to really get serious about the reality of my body post-children. No matter how many hours I spend at the gym, stretch marks will still be evident on my mid-section (thanks, genetics). But, I want my kids to know me as a confident mom who is comfortable in her own skin, not the mom who constantly counts calories and spends more time at the gym than at home striving for an unrealistic appearance. Don’t get me wrong I fully believe in a healthy diet and exercise, but let’s face it, there are some things that just won’t ever be the same again after you have a baby (or two). So, moving forward, I choose to embrace my mom bod, and I hope you will too! Accepting change and being comfortable with who you are (stretch marks and all) is so gratifying…go ahead…TRY IT!
Photo by Quaint & Whim Photography
When my precious son hit the six month mark, I figured I could no longer consider myself post-partum and still found myself with a bit of pregnancy weight to deal with, but it was time to move on from the maternity pants. Over the past few months, I’ve set out on a mission to feel good about me, and embrace where I am physically…RIGHT NOW! Let’s face it, some moms are way more genetically blessed, but rather than constantly comparing your physical appearance to others strive to find your own comfort zone and be kind to yourself. Here are some things that have helped me to accept reality and be more confident in my skin.
- Buy some new clothes that are mom-appropriate, that fit, and make you feel good. You won’t find these in the active wear section. Trust me, I understand how important comfort is, after some searching I’ve discovered that there are plenty of comfortable REAL clothes. Bring along your most trusted, critical friend (here’s looking at you, sisters) and take them shopping with you. Snap pictures of yourself and make sure before you buy, you like what you see.
- Once you buy those new clothes, clean out your closet and get rid of things that don’t fit. I did this a few months ago and was mortified to find jeans from my college days, nearly 15 years ago. Even if those old jeans did fit, they surely aren’t in style any longer. Help pay for your new items by consigning, or selling with virtual garage sales.
- Make and effort to get dressed at least a few times a week. This includes, washing and fixing your hair, dabbing on a little make up (if you wear it) and wearing accessories that make you feel great. This is worth the effort and will make you feel like a brand new woman. Even if you don’t leave the house, getting dressed really will make you feel like you’ve accomplished something during the day.
- Find time to do things that make you feel good. Take a hot bath, read a book, go for a walk, or have dinner with friends. Moms need time away to recharge their batteries and find some adult companionship to share in their joys, successes and struggles.
- Set realistic goals for yourself. I’m so guilty of not making time to get enough exercise over the past several months (ok, maybe even closer to a year), so i know I need to start slowly. Starting out, I know setting a goal for an easy walk on the treadmill a few times a week is way more achievable than resolving to run a half marathon in six months. In my experience, setting unrealistic goals for health, wellness and weight loss are great ways to set yourself up for failure and disappointment.
As we ring in 2016, resolve to find acceptance of yourself as a beautiful, confident, healthy momma! Happy New Year!
Great post! It’s so good to take off the pressure to be or look a certain way! Embrace yourself and do the best you can. Healthy is better thank skinny 😉 I also love what you said about getting dressed and taking time for yourself. Moms are very much guilty of putting themselves on the back burner and forgetting that they are a person too! Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂
Thanks for reading! Glad to know we moms have the same feelings about our image!