What is the most obvious difficulty that we mothers face? Our bodies. They are not our own in ANY way, and honestly hardly look like our own anymore. Between pregnancy, nursing, hugs, kisses, lifting, holding, clinging, and sex with our husbands, there is nothing left to call our own except maybe our knees, which tend to ache from all the lifting, carrying, holding, swinging around, etc. My hair has to be tied back so that my son doesn’t rip it out. My lips constantly whisper reassuring phrases. My nose is assaulted with the odor of things that need to be changed. My ears are on high alert to whispers, sniffles, and sneezes, not to mention ringing from the screeches. My arms are for lifting, my hands are for holding, my stomach is for growing life, my legs are for carrying, my breasts are for feeding… You get the point. The best thing is to accept this fact and move on! I heard someone say once that the healthiest thing you can do concerning your newfound identity is to go ahead and grieve for the freedom you once had, and that applies to your body too! Oh wow, isn’t that a statement that would beat any lecture on abstinence!
This may not be an issue for some mothers. I personally, however, have never been a manual labor type of girl. I’m very artsy, and use my fingers more than any other part of my body. What’s that verse again? “3 Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Yeah, that. In other words, I don’t really like to exercise.
I’m going to share a moment of TMI. I took a shower five minutes ago. I was noticing my little stretch marks, my flabby belly, and the effects of nursing. I have two choices when tempted to despair: either exercise and diet, or accept it. To be truthful, I have to do a combination of both. I know I never wanted to be the frumpy mama on the playground. I know I want the energy to run after my kids without turning beat red and my heart pounding out of my chest. I know I don’t want to jiggle when I walk! I am 5’3 and weigh 154 pounds. I didn’t gain much weight during my pregnancies, I just ate too much before and after!
So far I’ve only talked about weight, but there’s so MUCH that changes physically, and none are too easy to accept. For now, though, the rest of this blog will have to wait. Energy fading…
