I think many of us can relate to this scenario: you’re leisurely scrolling through your Facebook feed, and suddenly, someone you know has decided to take on the noble mission of coaching others to achieve their health goals. You cringe as you see a message waiting for you, inviting you to join their “incredible team.” Sound familiar?
If you haven’t encountered this yet, consider yourself fortunate. But I often feel like I’m a prime target for these pitches, especially since I just had twins! I must be just desperate to shed that baby weight, right?
The messages usually start with, “Congratulations on your twins! I’d love to help you lose that baby weight!” First off, thanks…but no thanks! Seriously, stop telling me I need to lose weight when we barely know each other!
Every time someone implies that I need to slim down, it seeps into my thoughts. I become insecure, and that insecurity can affect my little ones. One of my biggest concerns as a parent is that my daughters might struggle to find a healthy balance in their lives, especially regarding self-image.
So, when you offer to “help” me get fit (which often translates to losing weight), it makes me obsess over the calories in the cupcake I just shared with my daughter. And guess what? She notices. It leads me to skip cookies we made together, and she asks why I’m too tired to play with her.
“Just get the Shakeology!” you say. “It’s only the price of one Starbucks drink a day; surely you can manage that?” Well, I haven’t had a Starbucks since before the twins were born. It’s either your shakes or my daughters’ formula—tough choice!
Now, I’m not dismissing the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and modeling that behavior for my girls. It’s crucial. But I take issue with the prevailing narrative that “strong is the new skinny” or “I want to show my daughter that women should be strong!” The problem? Strong often ends up being synonymous with flat abs and defined muscles.
What I’m inadvertently teaching my daughters with these messages is that their value lies in how “strong” they appear or how cleanly they eat. No way! I’d rather show them that it’s okay to enjoy a piece of cake after finishing their broccoli, or that moving their bodies should be about fun, not obligation.
I want them to understand that it’s perfectly fine to have a lazy day, and that there are no “cheat” days because all food can be enjoyed in moderation. I aspire to teach them to listen to their bodies, rather than getting caught up in comparisons.
It’s vital for my daughters to know that they matter, even if their tummies are soft or they indulge in two cookies instead of one. Their worth is not tied to these superficial standards.
So, please, give me the space to embrace my postpartum figure and the love that comes with it. I’m on a mission to raise confident, balanced women, and I don’t need your “team” to do that.
For more insights on motherhood and health, you can check out our post on at-home insemination kits. It’s a great resource for anyone exploring their options in this area. And if you’re curious about the process itself, the Mayo Clinic offers excellent information on intrauterine insemination.
In summary, let’s stop the cycle of body shaming and focus on empowerment. I want to instill in my daughters the understanding that they are amazing just as they are.
Keyphrase: Stop Targeting New Moms
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]