That Last Ten Pounds

I'm a big believer that social media has many assets.  I love that the internet has research available at our finger tips.  I'm so happy that technology has allowed us to communicate with loved ones so far away.  I'm not blaming technology here....at all.

I'm also not blaming celebrities, well not completely anyway.  I know that they're proud and their social media accounts and articles in magazines are serving a multitude of purposes from increasing exposure to just being proud of their accomplishments.

Here's my problem.....

I know someone quite close to me that has two children.  Their youngest one is still a preschooler, yet they are absolutely devastated that they can't get back to their "pre baby weight."  We are talking obsessively counting calories, exercising to the point of exhaustion, and considering cosmetic procedures in order to lose "that last ten pounds."  I see it, all too often.  I see moms so worried about getting back to their pre-baby weight that it actually makes them sick.  It makes me so incredibly sad.

To you moms, I say this:

It's okay, Moms.  It's okay to not lose that last ten pounds.  Your body changed when you had that baby because it is now better suited to your needs.  What you're perceiving to be a failure is the way that our bodies were designed.  The reason you "can't lose that last ten pounds" is because you're not meant to....clearly.  You've obsessively counted calories, avoided junk food, avoided carbs, ate nothing but salads, and exercised until you couldn't stand up and it won't go away.  It's not meant to go away.  It's your body's way of telling you "enough's enough."

Please, please, please stop looking to celebrities and wondering how they can do it.  They're photo shopped! No seriously, they're photoshopped!  As a photographer, myself, I know this one.  They're struggling just like you.  They might even be obsessing like you.

And please don't consider cosmetic surgery to fix it.  Please.  You look beautiful just like you are.  Your husband (or boyfriend or whatever the case may be) loves you exactly as you are.  Be proud of your body.

And finally, if I can say one last thing, PLEASE stop making this into a big deal in front of your daughters.  You are creating a VERY unhealthy mindset.  You're literally molding your daughters into obsessively over-concerned little beings who will never love their body either.

Please, moms, focus on your body being healthy.  Focus on your body getting the fuel it needs and not just obsessively counting calories.  Focus on your body feeling energetic to run around with your kids.  Focus on getting some sleep so you can wake up early with them and eat pancakes in your pj's.  Know that you're perfect exactly how you are!  Channel that energy into showing your daughters that your body is not what defines you.  Channel that energy into teaching them that it's okay to not have "the perfect body."  Channel that energy into teaching them that being healthy is what the focus should be...not worrying about the numbers on the scale.  Teach them that their impact on your body is something you embrace and love so they, too, will embrace it when they have children.

You're beautiful, Mama....don't change a thing