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What Happens When You Don’t Shed the Baby Weight?
Parenting
By Lila Thompson
Updated: Oct. 12, 2023
Originally Published: May 16, 2016
So, what’s the deal with not losing the baby weight? Have you ever wondered what happens if you don’t slim down after having a baby—say, within the first year or maybe even ever? Spoiler alert: Absolutely nothing happens. You simply weigh a bit more than you did before. Your old clothes might be feeling a little snug, but other than that…nothing. The world keeps spinning, your friends still adore you, and your coworkers won’t suddenly lose respect for you. It’s all good!
But where does this obsession with minimizing our presence come from? I can trace mine back to my teenage years. My wish to completely vanish so my weight wouldn’t be an “issue” led me down a dark path of eating disorders that haunted me for nearly 25 years. Can you imagine? A choice made at 14 shaped my life and health for decades. The world didn’t bat an eye as I deprived myself of nourishment; being thin seemed to be the ultimate goal. I could drop weight quickly and made countless trips to the restroom without anyone questioning my behavior—never once in all those years.
It’s hard to say what finally shifted my perspective, but one day, I realized I didn’t want to continue down that destructive road. I understood that if I did end up harming myself in the quest for weight loss, no one would stand at my funeral saying, “Lila was a fantastic friend, sister, and talent—if only she had been 40 pounds lighter, then she would have truly shined.”
Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone who struggles with their weight has an eating disorder; I’m aware I’m the exception rather than the rule. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to eat healthily and get some exercise. However, wasting even a moment worrying about those extra pounds is just that—a waste. Imagine the incredible things we could accomplish if we stopped berating ourselves for our appearance!
Society won’t tell you this, mainly because a woman who feels inadequate isn’t as formidable as one who embraces her fullness. We have immense power, and we’ve been conditioned to believe we need to shrink ourselves. When I say “small,” I’m not just talking about size. Some of the thinnest women I know constantly criticize themselves over minor imperfections. What a colossal waste of energy to carry around that self-doubt when we could be celebrating our awesomeness!
At some point, you must decide to love yourself more than you dislike your flaws. That’s when everything shifts. So, if you find yourself taking up more space than you’re used to—who cares? Nothing catastrophic is going to happen. Claim your space; there’s nothing wrong with you.
For more insights on the journey of motherhood and related topics, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re curious about home insemination options, you may want to explore this at-home insemination kit from a trusted source.
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Summary: Embracing yourself, regardless of your post-baby weight, is vital for mental well-being. The obsession with losing weight can lead to harmful habits, but recognizing your worth beyond mere numbers is empowering. It’s time to occupy your space and celebrate who you are!