As someone who has always valued being fit, but at the same time struggled with my own weight and body composition, this process of growing a baby can wreak havoc on my self image if I’m not careful. Yesterday was one of the bad days. Plans for this coming weekend include a trip to buy some maternity clothes as mine are either already outgrown or stretched to their limit. In addition, a visit to the OB earlier this week confirmed another pound or two on the scale, to which one family member responded with an email telling me to “get over it”. Day’s end found me crying first to my husband, then to one of my best friends that I didn’t want to buy “fat clothes”. Both were of course wonderfully supportive, saying all the right things to reassure me that I’m not totally crazy.
Finally, together with Nick the dog, I made my way red-eyed and sniffling to my Thursday night =PR= running group. Normally a devoted group member, I’ve been hit or miss in attendance this summer between fatigue and an aversion to the heat, so I perked up a bit when I got some cheery waves and hellos. (Although Nick quickly quashed that when he peed all over the floor of the store in his excitement at being back!)
We hit the road at 6:30 and I stayed toward the back. Trish and another woman (whose name I always forget!) willingly hung back at my slow pokey pace and commiserated with my topsy-turvy emotions. My body needed the exercise, but more importantly, my mind and heart got a much needed boost from the empathy and camaraderie of women already traveling the road of motherhood. They appreciated my frustration at my slower pace, my changing body, and reassured me that all would be well on the other side. I cut about .75mi off the run route so that I wouldn’t finish too far behind everyone else (I finally sent the two of them ahead), and reconvened with the group in the Potomac River Running parking lot at the end. Another wonderful woman and mom of 3 boys, Laura, emphasized that I’d better either buy a jogging stroller or better yet, tell Stuart he’s on baby duty on Thursday nights since exercise and me-time makes for better mommies. She doesn’t need to tell me twice! Yet another told me that this month is “Mommy Month” at the local Lululemon yoga store and encouraged me to check out their website for free prenatal yoga and other fun stuff. I got home in such a better frame of mind than when I left.
There’s a lot I’ve missed this summer – races, workouts, group fun. But with the weather starting to cool, I can at least put this important hour of my week back into my schedule and enjoy the company of these great women.
2 months ago
4 comments:
I've never been where you are, but I imagine much of what you are going through is very normal. It is great that you have a support system to confirm that.
I'm so excited for you and look forward to reading more about pregnancy from a triathlete's perspective :)
Though it might not make you feel better, I do know exactly how you're feeling. Having a supportive husband, especially after your new one arrives, will be such a great thing. Enjoy the time running on your own now -- you deserve it!
I promise you that it will be ok. I had twins and went from a size 4 to having to buy XL maternity clothes (and was on the verge of having to purchase Plus size) during my pregnancy. I cried several times about it both during pregnancy and after.
The thing that helped me the most was to remind myself that I was eating to help my children grow and that my expansion was proof that they were growing! I hope this will help you too!
Thanks, Ladies! As I slowly start to look pregnant instead of overly generous with the Ben & Jerry's, I think this will get easier. I'm so grateful to know I'm not the only one who has felt this way!!
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