This started off as a post on Instagram and Facebook. I kind of anticipated it would be seen by maybe a couple of people and then drift down the feeds never to be seen again.
I was pretty overwhelmed by the response it got so I thought I should probably share it on here too, so that it doesn’t get ‘lost’ and can hopefully help others who are struggling with the changes to their body since having a baby (or babies).
Here’s what I wrote:
I’ve been deliberating over posting this (and, to be honest, over whether or not I was brave enough to even take the photo) but I think it’s really important for people to raise awareness about body issues so I’m being brave and going for it
I do two dance classes on a Tuesday morning whenever I can. I don’t profess to being a great dancer but I love it; it’s great exercise and it’s a lot of fun
Even pre-children, my tummy has never been something I’ve been that comfortable with showing. It was never flat and – since having the boys – has resembled an aerial view of the mouth of the river ganges more than a tummy
I also suffered from diastasis recti following my pregnancies and although it’s loads better than it was (thank you to Sara at The Wellwoman Fitness Foundation for your awesome help) it’s still not back to how it was pre-children
So, for me, showing my tummy isn’t something I do very often
A couple of years ago I set myself a personal challenge of taking a photo a day of me in a bikini when we were on holiday and posting on my personal Instagram. I didn’t tell people why, and it’s a private page so wasn’t seen by masses of people, but – for me – it took massive courage to do
People may have thought it was vanity but I didn’t want to explain why I was posting the photos, as I felt that would detract from my own personal goal in sharing it. I wasn’t looking for praise; I was looking to see if I could manage it
Today it was hot in the dance studio so I tied my top up, showing my tummy. Yes, there are stretch marks. Yes, there are lines around my navel. But I felt confident and so proud of myself for doing it!
Most people will see what you see in the photo above but – for me – I only see my tummy. It’s important to realise that our own perceptions of our bodies and their apparent ‘flaws’ are just that – perceptions. No one judges your body more harshly than yourself
I’m working really hard to love my body and focus on all the amazing things it can do, rather than the superficial and aesthetics
*deep breath* and post…
