Congratulations!  The baby is home.  You are settling into your new life with a new baby.  Whether this is your first or your fifth, you begin the adjustment period.  There is new laundry to wash, diapers everywhere, toys in new places in your home, and less sleeping taking place.  Everything seems different except you still are wearing those maternity clothes!  What do you do now to lose the weight?

Husbands, you are not exempt from this hardship!  How many of you gained a few extra pounds during the pregnancy, too?  Be honest now!  Many men pick up anywhere from five to twenty pounds while their wives are pregnant.  Perhaps it is out of sympathy, but in my house it was because the midnight cravings for ice cream came with good company. 

It can be discouraging to look in the mirror after the baby is born.  Even though the pregnancy is over, your body still seems so misshapen!  It is even more discouraging when you realize that a few weeks later, or even six weeks later, you still have to wear maternity clothes. 

When it comes to body image, many of us struggle.  We compare ourselves to others constantly!  Yes, some supermodels and actresses return to their normal body just a few weeks after delivery.  Perhaps you even have a friend who looked amazing just days after delivering a baby.  Stop comparing yourself!  Most of those women have full time nannies that allow the new mom to take naps.  They have personal trainers to assist in post-partum workouts.  They also have personal chefs to whip up healthy meals instead of takeout or frozen pizzas that you are able to manage.  It doesn’t help that your hormones are so out of whack that you are a little more sensitive about that mirror image.   

Words of encouragement are hard to come by, but allow me to try.  God created you and your body.  He didn’t make a mistake when he designed the recovery process after delivering a baby.  Your body needs time!!!  It is healing!!  God also does not want us to compare ourselves to others.  He wants us to encourage and support others, not compete. He also wants us to treat our bodies with respect.  Allow yourself time to ease back into a healthy, fit lifestyle.  God blessed you with a body that provided a safe home for your baby!  Your body will eventually return to normal!

Many doctors will tell you that it took nine months for your body to gain the weight, so you should give it nine months to lose the weight.  With exercise and a good diet, you will be back to normal in no time.  Now, if the doctors could help with the pile of laundry!!!!

No related posts.