There we were, four friends crammed into a booth at the pizza joint, our tiny babies nestled peacefully in their carriers around us. As we savored our sodas and slices, one mom asked with a hint of hopefulness, “When will my body go back to normal?” We all nodded, eager to hear the answer. An experienced mom, who had a child much older than ours, chimed in, “Don’t expect your body to be the same for at least a year.”
A collective sigh of relief escaped us. A year? That felt manageable; no need to rush into weight loss, I thought. Fast forward nearly six years and another baby later, and my body still hasn’t returned to “normal.”
Just yesterday, I was in the shallow end of the pool, pretending to host a tea party with my son. It’s easy to get caught up in the appearances of others during the summer, leading to the familiar spiral of self-criticism. “How did she lose her baby weight so quickly?” I wondered as I observed a woman in a black bikini effortlessly chasing her child along the shore. My son interrupted my thoughts, handing me a teacup filled with pool water.
The next day, the scale revealed a number that mirrored my indulgent lifestyle—think colorful pancakes oozing with syrup, giant donuts, and picnics featuring sandwiches paired with craft beer. What it didn’t reflect, however, was my running journey that began in April; I’m now regularly covering over three miles several times a week. My family recently enjoyed a 12-mile bike ride, and just weeks ago, my husband and I took a leisurely two-hour walk, hand in hand, while Grandma entertained the kids.
I need to cling to these athletic victories, especially as the scale and clothing sizes threaten to dampen my spirits this time of year.
Bathing suit season often brings up anxiety over body shapes, stretch marks, and the numbers on size tags. But it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Summer can be a time to celebrate our bodies and the strength they possess—whether it’s running alongside other moms, cycling a new route, strolling with our partners, playing tag with our kids, or diving into the water.
When we focus on comparing ourselves to others, we risk missing out on precious family moments. We might overlook the joy of building the perfect sandcastle or sharing imaginary sandwiches. We forget what it feels like to have our kids ride on our backs as we splash through the water. Our children will remember the laughter shared during games, not the size of our swimsuits. They won’t care about our stretch marks; they will cherish the silly faces we made underwater.
Ultimately, what matters is the love and joy we share with our kids, not how quickly we return to “normal.” Their “normal” is kinder and more forgiving.
My new “normal” is a body that is both resilient and nurturing. I may not have lost the baby weight, but I’ve gained confidence, happiness, and a fresh outlook on life. This summer, my children will remember the fun we had, not the weight I haven’t shed.
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Summary
In this reflective piece, Jenna Lockhart shares her journey of accepting her body after childbirth, emphasizing the importance of celebrating moments with her children rather than fixating on societal standards. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates how motherhood reshapes our priorities, encouraging readers to embrace their unique experience without the pressure of conforming to an idealized version of “normal.”
Keyphrase: baby weight acceptance
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