The first thing a lot of us joke about when we find out the exciting news of expecting is "I'm gonna get fat" knowing especially that weight gain is a natural part of pregnancy.
We go in to our pregnancy all starry eyed with all these healthy ideas, prenatal exercises, stay away from this, stay away from that, guideline weight gain and the BAM! cravings! Disgusting fat coated sugar filled cravings with a never ending pit in your stomach that cannot and will not be filled. Then your friend fatigue might join in too, some nausea maybe even a couple headaches. Forget the treadmill mumma is netflix and chillin'
My pregnancy with TJ, my now 8 year old, I gained 25 kilos and I remember still the doctor telling me I needed to slow down. It's not like I was doing it on purpose! I couldn't help that I loooovvvveeeed cheeseburgers and chips with gravy plus besides that the weight gain really never bothered me. I was so excited watching my belly grow, feeling his kicks and preparing to be a first time mum.
Then there was my pregnancy with Rob, adamant I would be more healthy, eat less junk, exercise more. Yeah that resulted in a 30kg weight gain - thanks Mcflurrys. Again I really wasn't too fussed. It had been 5 years between the boys and being pregnant after so long was like a whole new adventure. I worked with a great bunch of girls that always kept my spirits up and I was happy just waddling my way to full term.
With both boys I lost all the baby weight, I trained well, ate well - nothing crazy still had my treats and especially after Rob I was the fittest I had ever been.
So you would think that third time round weight gain worries wouldn't be an issue right? I'm more than capable of losing it afterwards etc etc.
Wrong!
I retain water like a camel in the desert and I will eat everything in my house and then yours. Mentally my mind screams wtf are you doing?!
Maybe it's because this time round I started off 5kgs heavier than my previous pregnancies and that number on the scale is tormenting me ( even though I know better than to use the scales) I have much more muscle mass this time round and we all know that muscle mass weighs more than fat.
Maybe it's lockdown and not having that outside life to preoccupy me from my weight gain but it has been hanging over me so much!
Maybe its because when I was pregnant with TJ instagram wasn't a thing so I couldn't compare myself to other mothers who looked so amazing, fit and like they hadn't gained a single kg. Where I just feel like a jellyfish.
There are many many 'maybes' and reasons.
But if you too have found yourself in this pickle (or the whole jar like me) Then I want you to remember these things when negativity strikes. Because remembering these things have truly helped me and brought me back down to earth when my head is in a self esteem spin.
Write them down, stick them on your mirror to remind yourself daily.
' I am my own person, I carry my pregnancy different to others, what is right for me and my baby'
' I am home to a growing life, my body is amazing, I am amazing'
' I love myself and I am enough '
You may have some more to add and go for it girl because the more the better. It is so important to enjoy this time and unfortunately the pressures of what we should be and the pressures we put on ourselves can really take away from this incredible time.
If you are in the bracket of a low risk pregnancy and a bit of weight gain is not a worry, then really please don't worry. It is normal. It is expected!
Enjoy this time of growing your baby, enjoy that feminine energy flowing through you and the wonders of your amazing body.
Listen to your body when you need rest, give in to that treat here and there and enjoy your 40 weeks of being a human grower!
Much love,
Tan
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