I recently discovered Jenny, a blogger who posts about weight loss, and I have to tell you that her honesty + transparency has inspired me to get real. Not just with y’all, but with myself. Yes… the weight is coming off at a healthy pace – but I rarely feel comfortable looking at my body. The days of strutting around in a bikini are gone. I won’t even buy a full length mirror.
Pregnancy really did a number on me… and not just physically. I feel less secure and more critical. And trust me, I was already duking it out with myself on the positive self-talk front before everything got all flippy floppy.
All those damn magazines with celebrities showing off their bikini bodies weeks after bringing a child into the world… I’d like to get a stack and burn ‘em. After 40 weeks of incubating my sweet son and 21 weeks of post-partum weight loss, I am left to work with this:
Those aren’t just words.
Those words frame my feelings, my self-worth, my sex drive. I know I’m strong, and I’ll ‘get there’. But sometimes I need to be frail – to be real.
Maybe someone out there can give me an amen?
It’s as if I have to make peace with my body again. No cardio will ever lift my c-section scar or my stretch marks – they’re my baby battle wounds. But… I will fit in my jeans again. I can do the work to make that happen. And, I will find a way to feel sexy again.
In fact, I’m dangerously close to getting back into one of my favorite pair, a size 6. 
Fitting in to a pair of jeans isn’t my only goal… I have much loftier ambitions:
to be nice to myself.
to find happiness at each stage.
to surrender to imperfection.
Bipper12987: [via YouTube] you are awesome!!2 weeks ago
Eryne: You are doing so well, keep up the good work. I too am stuggling with body image after having my first baby. The thing that we have to think about is that we brought a beautiful baby into the world and that is a wonderful thing. Scars will fade and weight will diminish. External scars may sometimes be visible but as long as we are beautiful on the inside that is all that matters. Your doing great :)5 weeks ago
tysica: [via YouTube] Thanku so much for sharing this! Thanku for your honesty and boldness. Since Feb of ‘09 till now I have lost 32pds. But my post baby body (stomach) is the same…battle scar as well. Its something I am coming to terms w/ and ur vid has definitely helped my journey in accepting my body post baby! Thx and congrats on ur weight loss so far :)5 weeks ago
Winona Philpott: Good job, i recently came across your blog and have been reading along.. Thanks6 weeks ago
marissaandmommy: [via YouTube] you are my inspiration! you are such a beautiful person6 weeks ago
vanessahmu: [via YouTube] DuuuuDE!! You can get rid of that with time.. I am pretty much like you over weight when I was younger then got really skinny and fit.. THEN I had twins and had to kiss all my hard work good bye.. My Tummy ended up so disgusting.. sigh.. But If i were you id focus on weight training rather than cardio to get your tummy back.. I made the mistake of cardio and lost too much too son and wish i did weight training instead..7 weeks ago
Tracy Anello: WOW!!! I’m more than impressed with your honest and thoughtful remarks!
I’m excited to get started on the Weight Loss Challenge for Fit Milwaukee! Honored to he partnered with you on the continuing journey.
Tracy8 weeks ago
maryklaag: hello everybody
I am glad to find this place
milf hunter[/url11 weeks ago
Justme: you’re beautiful!12 weeks ago
low: Oh man, if I had a penny for every time I heard the12 weeks ago
I’ve Been Exposed « Head ♥ Heart ♥ Health: [...] The Naked Truth [...]12 weeks ago
Tina: I love your honesty!12 weeks ago
TheGREATweightloss: [via YouTube] way to go girl!!16 weeks ago
The “Exposed” Trail of Fame « we are the REAL deal: [...] But Miche credits a high school buddy named Ester with inspiring her to do this daring feat, so I headed over to check out Ester. Ester titled her post “The Naked Truth” [...]16 weeks ago
rocky038: [via YouTube] you are far to pretty to worry about a couple of ounces of loose skin after having a baby your hoooooot17 weeks ago
miraclesrmagic: [via YouTube] Flawed?
Frail?
Insecure?
I think you’re perfect, strong and totally beautiful.
Thank you for inspiring us mere mortals – you’re amazing xx18 weeks ago
Julie @ Life Domestic: You are very brave.19 weeks ago