I bought this shirt a while back. I thought it was hilarious and it was only $5. However I have been thinking a lot about what this shirt really means to me. A shirt? Really?... YES!Mainly I have been pondering PERSONAL BODY IMAGE.
What is that? What is mine?
Well right now I am at what I find to be a very awkward stage of pregnancy.
I feel pregnant, but I don't look pregnant. To me... I just look "FAT"! Like I put on quite a few holiday pounds. I've noticed that I am critical of what I see in the mirror. I don't like it that my belly is at the squishy stage and there is no way I can suck it in. I don't like my pants starting to feel tight.
My body is changing... and I don't like.
But that is not what I really feel.
I am actually incredibly annoyed with my self for having any of those degrating thoughts.
Why is it so ingrained in our minds (men and women) that we are supposed to look a certain way. There are all sorts of different ways and levels to be healthy. It is different for everyone.
That is seriously one of my biggest pet peaves in this life.
Why do we compare ourselves to others. The Lord made our bodies just how they needed to be. Yes we should take care of them to the best we can. BUT that doesn't mean we will all look the same. That is the beauty of each of us. Our individuality.
Our UNIQUE-NESS!
This is a baby that we have been trying for over a year to get.
Anyone who has wanted a baby knows that the first moment you decide you want one, 9 months is too long to wait.
I really am so grateful that the Lord has given us this blessing. It is a miracle everytime a baby is concieved and even more of a miracle when that baby is born healthy and strong.
I have been blessed to experience that miracle 3 times.
So I should be delighted that my body is changing. That means my body is preparing an environment that will be safe and strong for this baby to be nourished and grow.
This is my 6th pregnancy so of course my body knows what it is supposed to be doing.
That is why I am showing so fast.
Everyone's body is different. Why would that not be the case for a pregnant body.
I gained 43 lbs with all 3 of my boys and each one I had different eating and excercise habits.
My body knows what to do and it is doing it.
So...
Does this baby make me look
FAT?
HEAVENS YES! And I LOVE IT!
And I vow from now on that I will NOT:
* compare what my body is doing to anyone else
or look at the changes dissapprovingly
I promise to:
*Trust my body
*Do my very best to keep this body healthy and strong
*Trust the Lord
*Be honored that HE has trusted me with this precious spirit
*Be Happy to "Look FAT"!
(I hope this post does not offend anyone. If so, I am sorry. Please come talk to me about it. I only wrote this to express my own thought processes and feelings.)
16 comments:
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. I feel like you have taken the thoughts that I have been having and written them down.
Thank you for sharing them, Dee. Today and from now on, when I look in the mirror and see that extra little bit of chub, I will think of the miracle that has provided that chub ... and I will be grateful.
You're awesome, you know that? What a great mindset to have...and to live. I love it!
P.S. Since you posted a pic, you should link this up for Photo Story Friday on my blog. I bet LOTS of other PSFers would love what you've said!
Yeah! I am so happy to have read this coming from you. That was where I was getting with my comment on facebook the other day, but you said it so elequently. Why kill yourself exercising? That baby might just not want you to. It might be healthier and happier if you don't. Be healthy. YES! But enjoy being pregnant, and show it off girl! I love it. You are beautiful no matter what!!!
Very wise words, I loved it. This is so true, weather you are pregnant or not, our bodies are a true gift! Thanks for the reminder.
I have always disliked conversations about body size and image. They make me nervous and annoyed - because I DON'T CARE!
I don't love my friends for how they look (though I'm glad you all shower), I love you for who you are.
And I love that you are welcoming this new one in with such an impressive attitude. YAY Dee! Great insight.
Good post . I have a saying " there are two times in your life when it is cute to be fat, the first is when your a baby and the second is when your pregnant" btw I don't think you are could ever be fat. When you are pregnant your all baby. Besides who cares what you look like when your pregnant. I would rather look good afterwards, and you look fantastic after your babies are born! And you are right it took a year to get this baby, so enjoy the changes! Enjoy feeling of having a baby move inside you etc. Some of us have broken bodies that will never be able to carry a child again. I wish I would have enjoyed it more! I guess I can just count myself lucky that I was able to experience pregnancy twice. Some women never get to ever experience it. So this is a long comment to tell you that you are beautiful and enjoy being pregnant!
Ps sorry I posted that from my I phone, and it looks like my writing skills on this little phone needs some help. You get the idea of what I was saying!
Thank you for this post. I have been so down on myself this pregnancy for the changes in my body. I worked so hard after Estella to lose all the baby weight only to put it back on so quickly with this pregnancy. I seem to always focus on the negative especially when I have to go to the monthly appts and get on the scale. In reality, it truly is a miracle to be able to carry a baby when others don't get the opportunity. Thanks for the great reminder!
Oh Dee, You are so wise! I'm so grateful you are my sister that I can learn from! I needed that post! I want to appollogize to you and everyone for complaining so much this pregnancy. I should be grateful that I'm even pregnant. I'll work on that! Thanks for the reminder. I love you! I'm grateful you're pregnant too so we can go through this fun experience together!
Very nice!
BTW I had a dream that you were having twins!!! Let me know if it comes true!
I needed to hear this... THANK YOU! I think pregnancy is absolutely beautiful... even if you don't feel very beautiful! It's important to remind yourself how incredibly amazing it is having a baby! Thanks!! love you!
I understand completely. I spent most of my pregnancies bemoaning my fatness and once my boys came I forgot all about it and lost the weight without even thinking about it. (Oh, and lots of oatmeal, salad, and exercise... but I didn't think about it, just did it.) Point being, the babies are so worth it, even when Kaeleb asked me why I was wearing dad's pants at 32 weeks with Brenny (I wasn't, they were just big pants).
offend anyone? are you crazy? that is some of the best stuff I've ever read. I was just telling Ryan (mainly in an attempt to convince him that I will never look like I did when he married me, and that's okay) that every pregnancy has changed my body, but I think Heavenly Father wants me to USE my body, to bring his children here. I'm supposed to wear it out doing the things that are most important. So I couldn't agree with you more.
p.s. CONGRATULATIONS!!! You guys have the cutest kids, so yay for more!! I hope I'll be joining you (in pregnancy) soon!
Deanne, reading this made me feel so good. I am in the postpartum "I want my body back" stage and instead of focusing on where it is right now, I should be grateful for the proof of who I brought into the world. Thanks for sharing.
Good girl! I agree. I gained different amounts with all 3 of mine, and had different eating habits with each - and they were all very different weights. Weird.
Anyway, I've been having a similar experience with my gray hairs and wrinkles. I've come to accept them and when I see them in the mirror - I push away my initial response of "ack" and smile...because, darn it, I EARNED those gray hairs and wrinkles and I'm proud of that!
Go to, Friend, and have a happy 43lbs of pregnancy! I'm excited for you guys.
Dee,
First off, CONGRATS ON THE BABY!!!!
Second- what a great reminder for all women! What woman hasn't thought once in their life, "Oh, I wish this looked different." But like you said, WHY?! It would be no fun if we were all alike. God gave us all different bodies and we should be grateful for the miracles our bodies can do. Thanks for reminding me :) And I too gained 43 lbs with both my boys.
P.s Your family is gorgeous.
Post a Comment