Jelly Belly

Recently my daughter and I were dancing around the lounge room happily together. Just as I thought about what a lovely moment it was, the happy bubble burst. My two year old came over to me, put her hands on my stomach and said, “Stop wobbling!”

I vaguely remember having a flat stomach. That was two kids ago and things will never be the same again! But I do know they will improve with time and exercise, so I decided to go back to my postnatal physio class.

Both kids come with me to class, and while I do situps with baby boy on my lap, my toddler works out beside me! I feel great doing something for myself. I can be so busy trying to be ‘all things to all people’ that it’s easy to neglect me. I know that prioritising myself and my wellbeing is a good example to set for my kids. They will never learn to look after their bodies and value themselves if I don’t model it for them.

I still have a way to go with my jelly belly. I haven’t made it out of maternity shorts yet, and at the park last week I got stuck on the slide! I just remind myself that I grew a whole human being inside me not that long ago. I’m not a big woman, and that’s a big deal.

(NB:  this is a very tired looking me at 37 weeks.  It takes a while to bounce back from a belly that protrudes like this!  I didn’t give birth until 41wks…)