https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:35:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1881404 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:36:03 +0000 yoursilverlining 1881404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think anytime someone is at the point of thinking that they may need counseling – they should go. You’ve got nothing to lose except your counseling co-pay cost. </p> <p>I didn’t like the way I looked before I got pregnant, but I didn’t hate it either. I LOVED the way I looked during pregnancy. I loved the big bump, I had boobs for the first time in my life (went from an A to spilling out of DD!) and was happy with how I looked. </p> <p>I *hate* my post partum body. I wish I was one of those women who could honestly say that when I look at the flabby stomach skin or stretch marks I’m okay with them because they mean my body housed and grew a life….but man, that just isn’t me. I just dislike what I see, and it’s so hard to lose weight.</p> <p>I was always naturally really skinny (too skinny for a long time), so I never developed any dietary/exercise discipline because I never had to. Well; that sucks big time now when it’s hard to lose the weight *and* I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. </p> <p>I am working on it though; I'm fine with never being 110 pounds again, but I will work on the things on my body that I'm not okay with - and I will change them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1881375 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:17:41 +0000 loki 1881375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: ya that is my #1 thing. i really really don't want to pass on my issues. but also my bad habits. i am definitely looking into some counselling and trying to make some changes pre baby so that he/she can come into a positive household. i'm hoping my whole perspective about everything will magically change! and congrats on your weight loss :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1881332 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 11:56:33 +0000 sarac 1881332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was obese before pregnancy, and had lost about 30 pounds in the 2 years before I got pregnant. So, I was really happy about my weight loss, but still had a ways to go. I didn't gain much weight with pregnancy, and honestly? I'd never felt more beautiful in my life. </p> <p>Post partum I maintained my weight for a bit and then put some on, and I've now successfully lost that and continued my weight loss. I love the way I look now, for the most part. But I've worked really hard to not transmit my body issues to my daughter. Good for you for wanting to do the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1880994 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 09:00:33 +0000 loki 1880994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: haha i AM excited to wear tight shirts again. everything i wear currently/pre-preg is so flowy/big/sits away from my body because i'm so self conscience. it'll be nice to not have to worry about that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1880987 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:54:27 +0000 Mae 1880987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel better about my body after. I've yo-yo'd a lot and was at my heaviest about 2 years before getting pregnant (but only 15 under my heaviest when I got pregnant). During pregnancy, once I hit about 18 weeks I felt awesome. For the first time in my life I didn't feel like I had to suck in my gut! I could wear fitted shirts and feel like hey-- thats just baby in there :) So pregnancy was great body-image-wise. </p> <p>Afterwards I don't feel great about how I look, but probably a little better than I felt before pregnancy. I'm so appreciative of what my body did. I grew a person. An awesome person! And while I still need to lose weight before I actually feel good about how I look, I sort of feel better about myself for having a (not really legit since I look about the same before/after pregnancy, but who's counting) good excuse. Like oh yea I'm a bit flabby but I have a 5 month old so... lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1880977 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:43:52 +0000 loki 1880977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: this is me exactly. i used to be the most outgoing/social person. and now when i see people i've known since kindergarten out and about i literally hide. i'm so worried about what people think of me. i'm hoping when i have more important things to worry about this will change.</p> <p>@FancyGem: i can't believe people made awful comments and i'm so sorry for what you went through :( but so great you're loving yourself and feeling healthy &amp; fit... that's what really matters!</p> <p>Thanks so much for your thoughts, everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1880783 Sun, 28 Sep 2014 20:33:47 +0000 FancyGem 1880783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've struggled with my body image. The comments that people made didn't make it better. Since I had my son I found out that I have some health issues that caused me to struggle with weight gain, fatigue, and joint pain. I'm finally getting everything under control and starting to love my new and improved self. I may not have the same shape/weight as I was before, but I am healitifer and fit. I'm not sure if I will have another child due to the health issues that I dealt with,nod because I am afraid to re-live everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1880775 Sun, 28 Sep 2014 20:27:17 +0000 marionberry 1880775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: I didn't like my body pre-pregnancy but once you've seen your belly look gigantic anything that is smaller than that makes you feel good. So I was delighted with every pound that came off until I got down to my pre-pregnancy weight. Plus I feel like you no longer have the time to really care about yourself. Your life is all about the babe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1880655 Sun, 28 Sep 2014 17:59:34 +0000 artsyfartsy 1880655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was pretty comfortable with my body before I quit smoking. Then I gained 20 pounds and hated myself. I lost 15 but I still wasn't happy. During pregnancy, even though I gained 70 pounds, I felt pretty. I loved my pregnant body. Afterwards...I'm really depressed about how I look. I'm embarrassed to post any pictures of myself in fear that people from high school will see them. I see their reactions in my head. "THAT'S Danizaur? Oh my god she gained a LOT of weight..."</p> <p>I usually don't post pictures of myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1878880 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:38:52 +0000 Banana330 1878880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was up about 10lbs already from where I was my happiest and two MC this year has added another 10ish. It's a bit hard to deal with starting not at a happy weight and not being able to do much about the gain. </p> <p>I'm eating ok but i'm feeling so sick and tired that exercise has gone out the window. I'm hoping the second tri will be better and some walking, yoga and swimming might help me change how I feel. but I think until it turns to a real bump I'll just feel bloated and meh... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1878870 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:33:31 +0000 maddyz 1878870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been about the same size for the last 10 years (20-30), I have always been active and had a fairly healthy eating habits and a body that liked to stay the same size/shape.</p> <p>I didn't realize how hard it would be when my body started to change when I got pregnant. Loosing my waist as I gained a tummy was really difficult. It's getting better as I start to look more pregnant and less fat. It's been work for me to give myself permission to change. I had not realized how tightly I held onto my size/image before this.</p> <p>At the same time it's nice to embrace a more womanly body (that my husband loves). I have tried to focus on all the amazing things my body is doing to make room for and provide what this little person needs.</p> <p>I worry about how I will feel in my body after. I think working to love the changes now will be the best way to set me up for enjoying my body after. Way easier said than done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1878841 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:14:53 +0000 beesknees 1878841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i did not feel confident AT ALL pre baby #1, but after she was born the opposite happened. I felt strong and healthy. and 18 months after she was born I was 20 pounds lighter then when I had her! </p> <p>Now I'm 9+ months out after having baby #2, and I have 10 more pounds to go, but but but, my confidence is still there. I feel more accepting of whatever I am (as long as I'm not completely taking advantage of my body, like eating bad all the time, or not moving at all). </p> <p>And like one of the previous posters said, I think less about muffin tops, and big booties and more about "WHERE THE EFF DID THESE GREY HAIRS COME FROM!!!, and dang it now I have wrinkles" :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1878805 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:48:03 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 1878805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always struggled with body image. While I was pregnant, even though I gained a ton of weight, I felt great about my body. Right after I had Liam, I felt pretty icky, but it just didn't matter because I had a baby. Then, I lost it all plus some and I felt better than I ever have. Nursing and calorie counting helped me lose the extra lbs and I felt comfortable in a bikini, which I thought would never happen again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1878789 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:36:27 +0000 loki 1878789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Guys... Words can't express how grateful I am that you all shared your very personal experiences with me. I find it really inspiring and feel so blessed to have found this community. I think I'm definitely going to seek counseling for some of my issues but all in all, I feel really positive about the future. Thank you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877817 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:35:22 +0000 cyndistar3 1877817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was far from ideal weight when I got pregnant the last two times, I hated how my body looked post partum last time and when I got pregnant this time. But over the course of this pregnancy I have come to terms with my body and have realized that even though it isn't everyone's idea of beauty it is still absolutely amazing for doing what it does and it hasn't failed me yet :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877809 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:29:21 +0000 hilsy85 1877809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I struggled with an ED for many years, and while I was at a healthy weight and fairly healthy mindset before I got pregnant, I still was very hard on myself and probably still had some skewed perspectives. After having LO, and now at almost 2 years (!!) post partum, I am WAY gentler to myself. I know I will almost certainly never have that body back--not because I couldn't, but because to get it would require way more work and mental anguish than I am willing to put myself through. I don't want to give up time with my son to go to the gym 5x a week, or have to worry about making separate meals for us so I don't "get fat". It has been very freeing! Of course I have moments of anxiety about it, but all in all I am really pleasantly surprised with how things have gone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877794 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:14:57 +0000 youboots 1877794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you think counseling is good for you do it now. One of the first things I did was to find a therapist after I found out I was pregnant. We have some family issues going on and I really felt I needed to be proactive so that I could work through everything before the baby gets here. I have been about 10 times and I'm really happy with it and am resolving a lot. I did not *need* counseling but if I did not get it I was worried that I was not setting myself up the best I could for baby.</p> <p>If anything being pregnant has taken some pressure off being concerned about my body. I feel more relaxed in my body than I can remember. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877645 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:48:07 +0000 fairy 1877645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was so insecure before pregnancy and now I look back and I am like.. how did I think I was fat THEN!? Ahh hindsight is 20/20. I remember being so nervous about going out in a bathing suit in public pre-pregnancy, but now I am much more confident, even though I don't wear bikinis anymore. I feel like it isn't a big deal anymore and actually feel more comfortable in my skin even though I don't look as good as I did before. Not sure how that works! I loved my pregnant body too, even though I gained 50lbs with the baby! (40 of it dropped off in the hospital.. somehow haha) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877588 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:19:06 +0000 Mrs. Detour 1877588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not loving my pregnant body but I'll be he first to admit I have problems. I danced professionally and never weighed more that 100 pounds. In the 6 years since I retired, I've lost the dancer's body and am softer all over. I then miscarried twice before this pregnancy and gained but never lost about 8 pounds with those failed pregnancies. I feel like I started his pregnancy in a bad place and have been gaining weight sooo quickly. The good news: my husband loves my pregnant body. I think he finds it more feminine than my athletic body. I'm working on accepting a new normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877584 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:16:41 +0000 Honeydew 1877584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an ideal vision for myself when it comes to body image. I was at my best at 25-30, because I was working out 5 days a week for 2 hours. I wasn't particularly thrilled about my pre pregnancy body(20lbs over my supposed ideal weight). Then freaked out about how I would feel after pregnancy.</p> <p>Surprisingly enough, I loved being pregnant. The human body is amazing and although I'll never regain the "ideal", I love and respect this body because of its ability to become a home, shelter, nourishment to my son.</p> <p>Please embrace the beauty that is your body. I think we place too much importance keeping up with celebrities(it still perplexes me a bit when I see a celeb looking like they did prior to being pregnant 2 weeks after birth). </p> <p>(Ps if I do have to complain though, it's my boobs. I never thought they could possibly sag.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877580 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:14:35 +0000 mrs. wagon 1877580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hated my body before kids (why?? I looked great!!) And after my first. After having my second I have come to terms with my body and I'm pretty at peace with how I look. Other things have taken priority (like my skin and face, and gray hairs, ahhhh). It has actually motivated me even more to eat better and exercise more, I think because I'm putting less pressure on myself. It is a huge weight off my shoulders. Other things are finally ACTUALLY more important to me than my weight. I always said other things were, but I was kidding myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877574 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:09:29 +0000 Anutka 1877574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was self-conscious and pretty hard on myself pre baby and have very much made peace with it now.</p> <p>Some of it is due to weighing less than what I did pre baby (though there is still plenty of belly flab :silly: ). I am one of the lucky ones for who BF did all the work. But I also had a mentality change. I guess it's a lot easier for me to look in the mirror and see myself as a strong woman, mother, wife, etc and I don't focus on the physical as much. </p> <p>Sure I still care about what I look like and staying healthy, but I am able to see that as a secondary feature to all the good stuff that's on the inside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877560 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:03:30 +0000 loki 1877560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StrawberryBee: pictures are the worst! i always feel like i go out looking good... then i see a photo and i'm like WTF, that's how i look?!?!!?!? i don't want to avoid photos with my babe because of how i feel about myself! i'm so sorry you're having a rough time, i totally relate... it's definitely not easy :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877556 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:02:18 +0000 loki 1877556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunshine: you raise a good point. i think i put way too much value in the external. i definitely know how i think others views me has way too much of an impact on me. hopefully that'll change when i have much more important things to focus on. thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877553 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:00:29 +0000 StrawberryBee 1877553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Used to be very overweight years ago - lost a lot of it, gained some back, got pregnant, and I loved my body while pregnant. I feel like while pregnant, I didn't gain much weight, and I loved my bump.</p> <p>Immediately following birth I felt really good. And then the pounds started to stack on no matter what I did. I feel like breastfeeding worked opposite for me (like, instead of burning stored fat/calories to produce milk, my body just became more efficient). I hoped that once I weaned my body might slow down, but no, now it's worse than ever.</p> <p>I even had my thyroid checked, but no dice, it's just me :sad: . I take pictures of us all because I want to have pictures of myself and my daughter and our family, but I hate myself in most of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877548 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:59:35 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 1877548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an alright body image pre baby but was obsessed with how I looked at an unhealthy level. I absolutely adored the way I looked pregnant &amp; post LO, I just don't think about it much. There are things I like &amp; things I don't like but I do my best to eat well &amp; exercise &amp; I'm so proud of who I am &amp; the person my LO has made me that how I feel about myself externally has a lot less bearing. I still care. Just not nearly as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877542 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:57:23 +0000 loki 1877542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: thank you! ya it's definitely hard to predict. i'm trying to eliminate negative self talk from our house now because it's a hard habit to break... so maybe with less vocalizing of it all, i'll stop dwelling on it. i'm just so mad at myself because i lost a lot of weight for our wedding and gained back 30 lbs before i got pregnant. if i was at my wedding weight i'd probably feel a lot better about the whole thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877538 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:55:05 +0000 Adira 1877538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I hate that you feel that way because I've seen pictures of you and you're gorgeous! &lt;3</p> <p>@loki: I think it would be impossible to predict how you might feel during and after. I didn't really think about it beforehand but I just assumed my stretched out body would bother me more after. I'm shocked that it doesn't. I think part of the reason is just because of how much love my son has for me and I know he doesn't care what I look like or how flabby my tummy is! Wishing you all the best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877525 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:51:06 +0000 loki 1877525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: @anandam: thank you so much for sharing. i keep telling myself this will happen and i'll just be so proud of myself and feel stronger and more accepting... i just already feel so awful that i can't imagine it getting better!</p> <p>@Smurfette: :( so sorry you feel that way. i fear this will be my fate too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-like-your-body-pre-pregnancy#post-1877519 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:47:36 +0000 Smurfette 1877519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel way worse about myself. Now it is 100x times harder to lose weight. </p>