Body Image + Pregnancy

Body image is something I think all women deal with. And when you are pregnant I think it gets worse.

I wrote a very similar post to this one back in February 2014, but it is ringing true again now so I thought I would repost it.

I can tell you when I was my most fit. It was in 2011. I had just ran my first half marathon and was consistently running and working out. I loved how I looked. These pictures are some of my favorite, but they also are tough to look at because I don't look like that anymore.

I think in my mind I still picture myself this way, but then I see pictures of myself now and realize that things have changed.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change any of the past 4 years. Those years may have been trying, but they brought us Raegan and Hudson. Even though I am grateful for both of my babies, it doesn't mean I don't struggle.

I am not complaining of gaining weight. As someone who has struggled with conceiving, I will never complain about anything associated with pregnancy. I know I need to to keep my baby healthy, but it doesn't mean I don't struggle with it every time I look in the mirror.

Then I realized that I was worshipping myself and my body. God created me and my body in his most perfect image. And I am stomping all over that.

I have become obsessed with how I look, what people think of me, and how much weight I'm gaining.

I would sit and look at my bump update pictures and touch up my double chin and try to figure out how to position my face for the next week's picture to eliminate that double chin! The maddness must stop!

It has to stop. The self destructive talk of how fat my face looks or the fact that my bum and boobs are literally doubled in size has to stop.

So to counter act the negative feelings, I have made a list of things I plan on putting into action ASAP.

1. Be thankful.

I am pregnant. God has blessed Kyle and I with a second baby that we have been praying for for a very long time. And I never want to seem ungrateful for this amazing gift.

2. Get up and move!

For the past 3 weeks I have been getting myself back into baby boot camp (3 times a week) and making myself work out. I may not feel like it, but I know that it's important for me and for my baby. If the gym is too much for you, then just get active! A walk around the block once a day is enough!

3. Be kind.

I need to start telling myself I'm beautiful and believing it. God has made me the way that I am and He does not make mistakes. I need to remind myself of this when those thoughts creep into my mind. And when Kyle tells me I'm beautiful, I need to believe it!

4. Spoil myself.

My body is changing constantly and I've decided that once a month I am going to purchase an outfit that fits me at that point in my pregnancy. We need to feel pretty at every stage of our pregnancy and having clothes that fit right and look right is so important! I hate sitting in my closet wanting to cry because nothing fits!

5. Give myself more grace.

My body is changing! It's supposed to! Things are supposed to get bigger and ya know what? It's ok! I am beautiful and you better believe I'm going to rock this bump and my gigantic tatas! :)

6. Pray.

I need to give my insecurities to the Lord. He is the only one who can make me feel better about myself and who make me see how beautiful I really am!

Will you join me in this plan? Even if you are not pregnant, but are dealing with body image. Every woman deals with her body image at some point in her life and we need to rally together and remind each other of how beautiful we are no matter our size!