One of my biggest worries about getting pregnant was the inherent weight gain that comes with it. Yes, I know that sounds really superficial. Yes, I know that I am growing a second human inside of my body and, of course, she adds to my overall weight.
When I was young(er)
I have had a lot of issues with my body image throughout my entire life. When I was younger, I couldn’t run to the corner without feeling like I was about to die. As a teenager, I would read teen magazines that would say things like “if you can pinch an inch, you need to lose 10 pounds”… and then I would discover that I could pinch way more than an inch. I would look at my thighs and see them literally double in width when I sat down.
I know what you’re thinking. I should love my body no matter what size or shape it is. And you’re right. But, let’s also face facts here. I was far from the pinnacle of health in my youth.
It is why I stopped eating beef when I was 18. It is why I decided to finally check out the gym when I was 22. It is why started running when I was 24. (Well, there was also this boy… never mind.) It is why I tried out yoga and practiced for years. It is why I started boxing. It (and the fact that I am super competitive) is why I ran a marathon at 37. (Random aside: The genetics that gave me my family’s knees are why I will never run another marathon.)
Eventually, I became much healthier and my body reflected that. I lost a bunch of weight. I gained a bunch of muscle. Yet I was still not 100% happy with how I looked. I am perpetually curvy. And it didn’t help that every so often, before I got pregnant, someone would ask me if I was pregnant.
Important message to the universe
Do not ask a woman if she is pregnant unless you see an actual baby coming out of her.
Flash forward
I am now in my third trimester. I’ve gained weight (obviously) and I am now officially back up to my high school weight. I knew this would happen (again, obviously) and I look nothing like I did in high school and college. However, it is still a weird and emotional milestone. (Thanks, hormones?)
At least this time around, I have a good reason to be here.
Tagged: third trimester