* *This post focuses heavily on weight loss and aspects of body image. Please skip this post if you feel that you may find it triggering.**
Well, I’m not really sure where to start with this post, but if you follow me on Instagram and saw this post or signed up to my newsletter then you will probably already know about my decision to want to lose some weight. It’s something that I’ve battled with for months and felt too scared to admit to myself, especially in my line of work. I’ve struggled to understand how weight loss fits into the whole self love and body positivity scene that I’m extremely passionate about and constantly worried about what people may think, but I think it’s time to get these thoughts and feelings off my chest.
Before I fell pregnant, I knew that I wanted to breastfeed my children if possible and luckily Aiden and I have had a successful experience, sadly many women haven’t. We made it to 25 months of solid breastfeeding and as well eating a balanced diet, it really helped to maintain my weight. Perhaps I selfishly took this aspect of breastfeeding for granted. Of course, I loved the close bond it had created between me and my baby and the nourishment that my body was able to give him, which is why I made the decision to nurse him in the first place. On the other side of this, secretly I was relishing the fact that I was able to indulge more than had I not been breastfeeding. Now I know that for some breastfeeding hasn’t had the effect of weight loss or maintenance, but for me it did.
Last November when our breastfeeding journey came to an end, slowly but surely the weight began to creep on. I basically became lazy, stuck in a rut and resigned to the fact I was OK with feeling uncomfortable and ‘meh’. I’ve never been happier and more settled in my life, but there was something, a feeling that just wasn’t right. I want to point out that I know that I’m not overweight and some may suggest that I’m just being self-indulgent and offensive to much larger women who struggle with their body issues. Not at all. In all honesty, I feel like total crap. I have low energy, my body feels weak and a far cry from the positive image that my blog is trying to inspire in others. I’ve lost my way on my own balance journey and want to ‘reclaim me’ again.
Women deserve to feel like a million dollars whatever end of the weight spectrum they sit.
This shift in my mindset doesn’t come with a heavy dose of punishment because I hate my body. Although I’ve rejoined the gym, I won’t be subscribing to any hardcore workout routines or trying out any restrictive juice fasts or detoxes, because as regular readers will know, that’s just not my style. I’ve still been indulging my sweet tooth to feed my soul but also feeding my body with lots of nourishing foods too. I’m moving my body in ways that I love, rather than forcing myself to do workouts that I absolutely hate.
One of the lovely ladies in my private Facebook group reminded me that actually wanting to do something positive for your body is a massive act of self love. I want to lose a bit of weight out of love for my body, to shift these negative feelings. I want to feel healthy, strong and comfortable in my own skin again.
You can still want to transform your body and love it too. Sure, there’s plenty that I hate about my body that I could list right here, but where would that get me except for making feel miserable about myself. I think my body is pretty awesome! It brought my beautiful little human into the world and has seen me through so much. I have so much gratitude for my body that it’s unreal and I want to gift it the joy of feeling fabulous again.
The body positive movement, perhaps highlights that we can’t have insecurities about our bodies, but in my heart of hearts don’t believe this to be true. It’s fine to recognise your insecurities about your body and want to act on them in a positive way. Although, it’s important to note that we shouldn’t allow them to control us, limit us or change us into something that we are not.
I’ve taken before pictures and will be posting lots on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook about my journey as well as on the blog. I’m also tracking my meals in my bullet journey, however, I’m not counting calories or weighing out my food. I hope to show a different approach on my weight loss journey, one born from self love and appreciation for my body.
Thank you for all of your supportive messages and emails over the past few weeks. They mean the world to me and motivate me every day to keep doing what I’m doing.
I think it sounds like you are at the start of a really positive journey. I put on weight when I stopped breast feeding too, and it was so depressing, but gradually I have learned that I just need to keep moving and eat more healthily… I try to be good during the weekend, then I am more indulgent at weekends. Life’s too short and all that! 😀 Good luck…
Yes, it’s all about that balance. Life would be boring without sweet treats. ?
I have started to learn how to love my body and now treat it so much better. Self love is so important.
Yay! So happy to hear this. Self love is everything and is definitely where the magic happens.
This is such a lovely post; self-love is so important. It’s all about a healthy body image and balancing a good diet 🙂 Much love for your new journey!
Thank so much for your supportive comment Shelley! 🙂
I am in same boat, can’t live without the sweet treats and want to get back to my pre pregnancy shape – the journey is long though for me. You have had a great journey too
Thank you Tina. I have such a sweet tooth that I know that I can’t live without, so bulking up on the good stuff but still allowing myself treats too. Good luck on your own journey!
I agree staying fit and at a helathy weight is about balance and that balance is different for every body type. I like sweets and I know it goes to my stomach so I counteract that by trying healthier sweets and exercising regulalry.
Sounds like you have a great approach. It’s all about getting that balance right that works for you.
The reminder of self love is so important. I think it makes the decision so much easier when it comes to eating healthy or working out. I go to the gym in the mornings and when I am so tired I just try and think about how I am doing it for no one else but me and my health!
Good for you! Self love is defining factor in health and wellness.
Being Plus size for most of my life, I have struggles with weight loss. It can be a very touchy subject for most people.
It can be a really emotive subject, but you have to do what is best for you.
Hi, thanks for sharing this post. Self love is important and its great that you found the right Facebook group to support you. I guess its all about a balancing act.
Totally! It’s all about finding the right balance for you.
Self love is so important to the mind, body and soul. The way we see ourselves and speak to ourselves has a huge impact on how we see our lives, the world and others. I am so happy to read this post as I can relate to it and I am sure many others can too.
Thank you Sheri! You’re right self love is where it’s at, that’s when we realise that we are worthy of our own care and really start to put our health and needs first.
As long as you’re losing weight for yourself and not for how others will look at you etc then you’re doing it out of love for yourself and your body x
Absolutely! It’s got to be all about you and no one else.
self love is very important, I weigh more after having my children but I have found a balance of eating healthy and exercise and for me its working ok
That’s so cool that you have found a balance that has worked for you.
Everyone has the right to feel insecure and talk about those insecurities openly – I don’t think there’s a person alive that doesn’t have any!
Exactly, we’re all human.
I’ve struggled for years with loving my own body. For me, I usually have the need for some kind of control, which in the past has meant some unhealthy habits. I was pregnant in 2011, and found food intolerances I had disappeared. This led to me eating more food; in turn this led to weight gain. I breastfed for 11 months, and found it wasn’t helping to shift the weight. I felt pretty horrible. Since then, my weight hasn’t been great. And nor has life been great to motivate me to lose it. I hear great stories of people losing it, different approaches. But I’m still uncomfortable with my body, hate my clothes and feel a bit stuck. Unsure about the right way for me to feel better about it, but maybe it is time to think differently about it all.
Your post is rather lovely, and reassuring in many ways. Certainly got me thinking again.
Sorry your are in this place at the moment and I hope that you find something that works for you. I’m glad that you found the post helpful in some way. If you need to chat feel free to email. ?
good luck, I can imagine how hard it must be especially when you get used to the extra calories breastfeeding takes from you.
Thank you!
I know that learning to love your own body can take time, so I understand your struggles here Jemma. Self love is so important, but make sure that whatever you do diet wise doesn’t impact other areas of your health and mind x
Women deserve to feel like a million dollars always.Perfect Quote. That’s why I too want to be fitter and stronger and that does involve listing the fat weight .Good post Jemma.
Thank you lovely!
Good luck on your weight loss journey. I hope you find peace with your body and that inner confidence again. Xx
Thank you! I’m definitely at peace with my body, just feel really unhealthy.
I really think society puts too much focus on adhearing to false ideas of what beauty is… Photoshop doesn’t affect real life… We are beautiful in our own way.
Thanks for your comment Gareth. Photoshop has a lot to answer for.
Wow! This post is beyond powerful! I appreciate your willingness to be transparent about an issue that plagues so many women. Yes, self love is oh so important! I wish you all the best on your journey.
Thanks so much Joy!
I agree self-love is very important. YOu can cross many hurdles if you love yourself. Weight is a bigger issue than it looks. It can be tackled with proper methods.
Self love is everything. Thank you for commenting.
This is an amazing post. Self-care, self-love and a balanced diet are the important ingredients for staying healthy. Good luck on your journey.
Thank you so much!
Make sure you are only loosing weight for yourself and no one else! That’s what I thought lately. The only reason I was loosing weight was because I thought I had to, because people like my sister and my mum kept commenting on my weight. But I’m not that bad, yes my tummy isn’t flat and I have a couple of rolls but I wasn’t loosing weight for myself anymore.
Good luck on your journey to feeling happier with your appearance 🙂 I hope you feel more confident soon!
Oh yes, you definitely only have to do it for yourself and not to prove something to someone else.
I don’t think there is anything wrong at all with admitting you want to change something about yourself to make yourself feel happier. As long as you aren’t hating your body or punishing it with restrictions & over exercise it totally fits self-love.
Definitely no body hate or punishments here. It’s purely about wanting to feel healthier. x
Self-love is so important. Having a healthy body and mind is all about balance. Thanks for this great reminder!
Thank you. You’re so right!
i lacked self love for many many years, and it ate away at me. I truly hated myself, the way i look, my body.But now i am on a more psitive journey towards loving oneslf. It helps with my health, and my overall wellbeing. I was so skinny, nothing to me, i started excersizeing gyming, and eating much better. I cut out sweets and treats and fizzys. I am much more happier, healthier, and thicker. Now i help other ladies as a personal trainer to gain self love for themselves too x