butt shrank after baby

[begoniamama]

am i the only one? i had a great butt that filled out jeans quite nicely, and it was always part of my body that i (and others) loved. NOW, 8 months after baby, it has flattened significantly. i also gained a lot of weight pregnant and have lost pretty much all of it, so i am deflated and not in the best shape. someone out there please tell my vanity that my butt will return eventually.. i know it may take some exercise to tone it up but i really hope it's not permanent!

[begoniamama]

oh no! i am the only one? :(

[artekah]

LOL! No, you are not the only one. Both my babies sucked all the fat out of my butt nursing round the clock for their first year--so unfair!

Of course many of the women who get to keep their butts are complaining about their big butts staying big... So, this I think is mainly a body image issue, as bodies are truly beautiful in all the shapes and sizes they come in.

That's not to say that squats and lunges aren't great for you and your butt, and by all means do them! But I suggest, while you're working on that, to also be working on loving the butt you have now, and appreciating all the wonderful things your body does for you. Having even a few clothes that fit really well can also go a long way towards making you feel good about the body you're in now.

You may get your old butt back or you may not, but try to love yourself either way. Life is too short to spend energy worrying about the size of your (butt/belly/boobs/fill in the blank)--know what I mean?

Hugs!

[begoniamama]

thanks artekah. i think i am just in shock..of all the things i was prepared for my body doing post baby this was not one of them! your advice is heard with open ears, i do need to be better about giving myself a break and loving what this body did. i guess i'm eager to feel good about myself physically again. usually all it takes is a little exercise and no matter what i look like it makes me feel better. i probably won't *love* my bootie anytime soon but your words help! :)

[artekah]

You are right about the exercise--it'll make you feel better right away regardless of what you look like, because being healthy just feels good!

It takes time and tons of work to love your body and fully appreciate it. I consciously work at it every single day and I still struggle. But it's something worth working towards. You are beautiful--just try to feel it and know it.

Anyway, there's nothing "wrong" with a small butt. It's petite, it's nice. It's just another shape, not a bad one. It does what it's supposed to. Some people don't have legs--some people can't walk. Some people can't even sit up.

Thinking about that puts things in perspective for me and helps me really "feel" the gratitude for my awesome body. You only get one, and it deserves your love.

Wow, really did not mean to be preachy but I think it came out that way! I know how hard it is. I do understand.