GETTING BACK TO ME

There's a list of things nobody really tells you about after pregnancy/birth. 

Like you still get contractions, you can't really stand up for longer than 5 minutes, you're breathless as soon as you do stand up, how much you'll cry just staring at your baby because they're just great, how much your hoo-ha will itch, how much you'll hate wearing a nursing bra 24/7 because ya'll be drippin' milk, hating your body because you feel extra skin everywhere.

One of the questions I asked the nurses was "when will my tummy go back to normal?". It seriously felt like a half deflated balloon with jelly inside of it. I was positive that it was here to stay. "Around 8 weeks". Damn, I couldn't wait that long.

You get so excited to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes. To fit into your topshop jeans without bursing a zipper or a button, to wear that dress without it coming all the way up to your crotch because you have a watermelon for a tummy. But it doesn't just happen like that. Your post-pregnancy body is something that you have to get used to, that you have to learn to love. I uploaded a pic to instagram the other day showing how proud I am of my 4 month postpartum body, but really, it's still different.

One thing I wish I told myself:

Give it time

I had carried a human inside of me for 9 months. She kicked and rolled all day (and night) long, then I pushed her out of me. Of course my body was needing a good length of time to get back to normal. When I got the go-ahead from my doc to workout again I went straight home and worked out, probably one of my harder workouts too. I ended up feeling 10 times worse. I looked at myself in the mirror, like we all do, and expected instant change. HAHAHAHAHA

I could hardly get through a quarter of the workout because of how exhausted I was. My core strength was GONE. My balance was GONE. My confidence was GONE.

I realized I needed to take smaller steps. Even though I owe everything to breastfeeding those calories off for the first 3 months, I worked super hard to get where I am now. I am learning to be more confident. A few months back I would say "I'll never be caught dead in a bikini again" now I "I'm almost at the stage where I'll feel comfortable to wear one again." and to be honest that's enough for me! That may not seem like a huge improvement reading that, but trust me, it is.

I was excited to buy new clothes once I found out what I felt more comfortable in too. And to be honest going shopping for new things is always the best/more rewarding part right?!?! ;)

Women's bodies are freaking incredible and I've only realized that now. I'm so grateful that I have a beautiful baby girl to remind me that everything was worth it and a husband that tells me how much he loves me for me, everyday.



Side note. Let's talk about this dress.
It's from Cleo Madison. A amazing AFFORDABLE boutique. Everybody loves a bit of online shopping right? They always have something for every occasion. They are modest too which is the best part. On Sunday's I usually jump into my dress last minute and out of it as soon as I'm home. I had this dress on for the whole day (and that's something big for me!) It is the softest, most comfortable dress I've ever owned. My hubby even felt my leg last night and said "oh...that is really soft". And talking of loving our bodies I even wore one of their dresses, 5 months pregnant, on our wedding anniversary date night and felt great!
So whether you're looking for something casual, some shoes, or a Sunday dress, get to cleo madison!

https://www.cleomadison.com/