As mothers, we often find ourselves critiquing our bodies long after giving birth, especially when our little ones are now in their tweens and we’re still carrying some extra weight. But let’s face it—there are plenty of valid reasons why those pounds linger long after the baby years. While some may refer to these as “excuses,” I prefer to call them the realities of motherhood.
- The reality is, pregnancy transforms our bodies. Our hips and pelvis expand, and that’s just biology. Thanks, little ones!
- We often encourage our kids to clean their plates, yet how can we do that when we’re not setting the best example ourselves?
- Who can resist the temptation of a leftover cupcake, even if the frosting is already gone?
- Oh, those chicken nuggets… they seem to multiply in our freezers.
- After a day filled with parenting duties, the couch often becomes our only refuge, leaving little energy for anything else.
- After hours of juggling work, chores, and childcare, fast food drive-thrus can seem like a lifesaver.
- Sometimes, we just want to enjoy a meal without hearing complaints, and let’s be real—pizza is often the crowd-pleaser.
- We spend countless hours waiting for our kids at various activities, and while we could use that time to exercise, the side-eye from others can be daunting. (Note to self: Must look up how many calories Kegels burn.)
- It’s tough to stick to a healthy kale smoothie diet when we’re preparing balanced meals for the whole family.
- A quick escape with a candy bar in the closet can be a necessary sanity saver.
- Birthday parties mean making or buying treats, which inevitably leads to indulging a little.
- We have to sample the Halloween candy to ensure it’s safe, right?
- Sometimes, our favorite wine carries more calories than we’d like to admit.
- Mornings are a rush, and skipping breakfast often leads to overindulging later—because hey, we skipped it!
- An ice cream outing can be the perfect remedy for a child’s heartbreak or injury.
- With kids wasting so much food, it feels wasteful not to finish what they leave behind.
- When our children are selling treats for fundraisers, we want to support them—plus, fewer sweets means less door-to-door selling.
- There’s something undeniably cozy about having squishy laps for snuggles.
- Our purses are often stocked with snacks, making it easy to nibble throughout the day.
- We refuse to compare ourselves to celebrities who bounce back to their pre-baby bodies days after giving birth. That’s like wishing for a horse to transform into a unicorn.
At the end of the day, we shouldn’t feel guilty if we haven’t returned to our pre-baby figures. Holding onto baby weight is a common and natural part of motherhood. It took nine months to gain those pounds, and it can take years to shed them, if ever.
So, pass the leftover lasagna—wasting food is not an option!
For more insights on the journey to motherhood, check out our blog post on home insemination or visit Make a Mom for expert advice. You can also learn more about pregnancy options at Cleveland Clinic.