Welcome to the 4th story in our series, beYOUtiful Mom!

Featured Writer: Beth Saavedra

Since my wedding day (that oft cited standard of ideal female weight), I’ve gained over thirty pounds. I’ve also launched a professional career, borne four children, made an international move, gained reasonable fluency in a second language, and read enough books to fill a truck bed.

So why is it that I often feel defined by my weight gain and not those other milestones?

Why does concern/worry/despair about my body take up so much of my thought life?

That’s valuable brain real estate I could really be using for other purposes!

If I could pick up all the thoughts I’ve wasted on dissatisfaction with my body, pack those thoughts into a ball, and weigh it on a scale, there would be a lot of energy represented in that sphere. (more…)

I think it is impossible for most women to accept their bodies.  If you love your body 100% then I applaud you!  I would love to say that I have accepted my post-partum body but this is not the case.  I have stretch marks on my breasts, a few on my stomach, the thighs, butt, and even on my calves!  My stomach is still squishy even though I have lost all of my baby weight.  My breasts are larger and saggier.  I miss my A cups!  I am a completely different shape than I used to be.  I am proud of the work I have done to lose my weight but there is absolutely more work to be done.

I came across this blog today -
The Belly Project- showing real women’s stomachs.  Most depict post-partum stomachs.  There are large, small, stretch marked, sagging, and even pregnant stomachs in the gallery.  Each photo gives the history of the belly.  Pregnancies, miscarriages, abortions, etc.  Of course the photo is anonymous.

This blog reminded me of another website I came across about real breasts.  I remember when I was first getting (more…)