Over the past few years, I’ve put on a lot of weight. It actually started with a medication that I had to take for bipolar disorder. One of the side effects was that I put on a few pounds. But it wasn’t until recently, when I got pregnant with my first child, that the weight really started to pile on. During my pregnancy, I was a bit overwhelmed at the rate at which I was gaining weight, and it was hard to prevent it from happening. I was constantly hungry, and as my pregnancy progressed, I replaced going to the gym with more leisurely walks because I was constantly winded and tired from my workouts.
By avoiding snacks and staying consistent with my walking, I eventually stopped putting on weight so quickly and began to level out. But right now, even though I’m done with my pregnancy and have even lost some of the weight already, my body looks totally different than how it used to.
During my pregnancy, people would constantly tell me, “You look great!” To tell the truth, it was hard for me to hear those words at first, especially since I knew that I was putting on so much weight. But something important that I have learned is to accept my body for what it is right now and find the beauty in the current version of me – the body that went through a lot to bring my beautiful daughter into the world.
Something that really helped me was seeing other beautiful women at the same weight as me. It gave me confidence that if they could look great, so I could I! I have been investing in some pretty dresses and outfits that fit my postpartum body. Getting dressed up is something I’ve always enjoyed, but since I’ve been working from home I haven’t really put as much emphasis on my appearance. Getting dolled up to go out and wearing a pretty dress helps me remember to feel beautiful exactly as I am.
I am sharing this because I think it’s important to be able to love and accept your body at any size. Whether you are completely content with where you are, looking to lose weight, or looking to put on some weight, your life is not “on hold” until you get to your desired weight. You aren’t incomplete – you are beautiful just as you are! It’s possible to say, “I want to lose weight, and I am beautiful and complete just as I am.” I don’t think it has to be one or the other.
Now when people compliment my appearance, I accept the compliment and let it build my confidence. Because I know that I don’t need to be at my ideal weight to be beautiful, and no matter how long it takes me to get back to my ideal weight, I will still accept and love myself as I am.