The Tee Chic Mom

There’s always an ongoing discussion of weight loss and dieting among women. It’s just one of those things that we are constantly trying to work on and balance in our demanding lives. Especially moms.

I saw a photo on Instagram the other day that really got me thinking of the way I think about myself and my body.

Pictured was a bunch of scales and instead of numbers it provided positive self-talk like: “You’re a kind and loyal friend”, “You are worthy”, “Your smile lights up any room you’re in”, etc.

Way too often after we give birth, we are so concerned about losing the baby weight. Getting back to our pre-baby bodies. Trust me, I was one of those people. I remember when I got the go-ahead from my doctor and I was trying to hit the gym that day.

First of all, I didn’t expect that my body would feel completely different. I was having incontinence issues when I ran, my breasts were sore from breast feeding. I felt like a train wreck. And instead of saying to myself, “Hey, you just had a baby 6 weeks ago and you’re not getting any sleep,” I was UPSET with myself.

Of course, I didn’t want to try something softer like yoga. (Which I seriously should have — hello, crazy lady!) I was trying to get back to the person I was before V. I wanted to run 4 miles and do an intense weight-lifting routine. I wanted to do it all. Was I listening to my body when it was saying to rest? Nope. I saw moms do this on social media all the time. I could totally do this too.

The thing is, they are not me. What works for one person is not going to work for you. You have to listen to your body and show yourself some grace. If I had the ability to go back and talk to myself postpartum, I’d tell her to slow down, to not put so much pressure on herself to be perfect. And one more time, to slow the hell down.

And you know what? This isn’t only for women who just had a baby. This message is for all of us.

Our worth is NOT measured by a number on the scale. Repeat that to yourself. Daily. There is so much more to you and life than that number. And frankly, I think it’s all bullshit anyway. At my fittest, I was 150. Right now, I’m 150 and a little squishier.

I am by no means saying to let yourself go and not lead a healthy lifestyle. I’m just saying that your weight does not correlate to happiness. If you are one of those people who is punishing yourself at the gym for having a slice of cake at a friend’s birthday or having a margarita night with your girlfriends, maybe it’s time to check-in with yourself.

Trust me, I have battled with this voice and it’s just not healthy. There is a difference between motivation and being cruel to yourself. Love your body and it will love you back. Rest when it needs rest, fuel it when it needs food, nourish your mind with knowledge and positive affirmations to keep your head from spinning those webs of self-doubt and self-loathing.

My favorite workouts these days consist of walking, daily dance parties with V, running with my dogs, and yoga. I may not be at my fittest. But I am most certainly at my happiest, and that is what is most important to me. I want V to see that happiness and confidence in her mom so that she will have the same care and respect for herself.

So this week I challenge you to show your mind and body some love. Do something that makes you feel good and makes you smile. If it’s enjoying some of this beautiful weather and going for a run, go for it. If you need a Netflix binge day on your couch, awesome. If you’ve got a book you’ve been wanting to dive into but haven’t, pick it up. Go with what feels good and feeds your soul. Life is too short to be unhappy with a number. Your achievements, your kindness, your inner strength and beauty is where it’s at, friends. That’s the gold right there.