I get it! I congratulate Jessica Simpson for "getting her body back" after having 2 babies. And I appreciate her sentiments in her latest Weight Watchers ad when she appreciates all that her body can do (give lives to 2 babies, etc). I really do appreciate it. I do.

BUT here's the thing...why does there need to be SO much emphasis on women getting their bodies back after babies?! Where is the celebrity who holds a little more "love" in her hips and around her middle who lets us know she eats healthily and represents the reality of the "after baby body"? The one who eats well, exercises and teaches her children healthy eating habits, but isn't showing her ribs or hip bones in the scant photos of her on the cover of the magazine.

Some women can work and work, exercise and undergo very diligent eating plans and never get that body back. It's nowhere to be found! Complications like chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues can get right in the way of toning up that body and getting "hot Mom skinny". These are NOT excuses, but real hurdles that make it absolutely incredibly difficult to lose that baby weight and get back in a two-piece by summer.

And do women really get their bodies back?! Even if/when you get down to pre-baby weight, hasn't it all decided to take up real estate in new places? 

Why do we continue to be on two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to health? There are those who continue to let excuses get in the way of starting healthy habits like walking or cutting out fast food as a regular meal plan. Then there are the ones who claim to inspire to kick the habit of excuse-making. As a person who is well over a year from giving birth and not back to pre-baby weight or clothing, I do not find it inspiring when a fellow life-giver blatantly flaunts that she has achieved these things which I have not when it is likely that we have both worked equally as hard at doing so. It is never my wish to minimize others' efforts and achievements, and I would never wish to make anyone feel poorly about themselves, but I wish the same consideration would be given for those out there like me.

I know there are women who don't have to try and shed all their pregnancy weight and then some. These women may or may not have to exercise to achieve their results and I get that they should not be chastised for their luck, good genes, etc. I am not here to bash those of you who have been able to go from that nice, round baby-bearing belly to flat, toned and back in your skinny jeans. I just don't know why we aren't focusing more on building one another up on our own, very different journeys with our bodies. 

When we set out to achieve health, there are often side effects to healthier eating and exercising. Things like weight loss or loss of health issues are a great side effect! But let's be honest....getting healthy is not just getting skinny!! This whole thigh gap thing is a crazy goal to take on. Sure, there are some of you who might be reading this who do have a natural thigh gap. You try to put weight ON and maybe have the same trouble I do with taking it off. The point is not to make you feel badly for being thin when I am not.

The point is....why isn't our emphasis on health? Why aren't we trying to teach our children that eating hamburgers and fries all the time is not healthy? It is my belief that my husband and I eat incredibly healthy meals and snacks while letting ourselves have some of the not so great choices every once in a while. Our goal is to teach our child (children should we be blessed with more) to enjoy fruits and vegetables and whole foods and that other things have their (much smaller) place. And I don't fit in my pre-baby clothing. I have a little extra in the belly/hip region than I had before. I have had to buy new clothes. I still struggle with being okay with the fact that I jiggle a little more than I'd like.

But I eat healthy foods, I exercise almost every day. And chances are, you are making some very healthy choices for your life too! I think we could all stand to make a few more healthier choices. But most of all I think we could all stand to support each other more in our endeavors and not be judgy wudgy.


Let's make the folks in the healthy & beauty industry change their standards of advertising because their get skinny to get healthy tactics don't work for us. Let's support one another in being healthy!