Heeeey, I'm a mommy, check out my curves!

...Starting with my breastfeeding chichis ehhhh. LOL! So I was talking to a crew member recently during the filming of my new writing project, and in between takes, a group of us four women on the set got into a discussion about having babies and the body that comes with it. This young woman was talking about a seminar or something she attended, on the feminist tip, that was talking about this whole notion we as women have, of making the fact that we've had a baby completely "disappear." Like we are not even mothers, in a weird way, you know? Like this whole idea of getting your body back the way it was "before the baby." Getting back to your weight "before the baby." Doing things as they were "before the baby." But, why? We had a baby, we went through all this work to have a baby and be a mom, why not embrace every aspect of it? Let's celebrate! Reclaim from the world, yes, I had a baby! Here, look at my new body... doesn't it look fabulous!? But this woman was saying that it's a media and social conditioning. I mean just look at how hounded celebrity women are after they have a baby. Did she get back to her weight before the baby? Does she look as beautiful as she did before the baby?? Did she did she??? And how fast????

Look, I'm all for looking great and being healthy. So I did think about my own situation after giving birth to my first and you know what, honestly, I've never had this thought about getting back to my weight "before the baby." Looking like I did "before the baby." No. I was so amazed at what my body was capable of doing, that I was so happy and proud of my body after I gave birth. I lost the extra 29 pounds I had gained within 3 weeks after I gave birth because of breastfeeding (well, okay, I cheated, the baby and placenta alone are like what, 10 to 15 pounds, ha ha). And although I still needed, and could still use some work getting into shape, the way I see it in my mind, is that I want to get back in shape, but that means look the best and be the healthiest I can be, with my new body. With my body as a mom now (but don't worry, I promise to never wear "mom jeans"). Whatever that wants to be, then so be it, because dammit I'm feeling gooood! Heeeey, I'm a mommy, check out my curves! Go ahead, look, keep looking, I know you wanna look, one more time, okay stop now, I'm married.

Anyway, all that to say that I came across this Q&A with Marisol Godinez-Braining who is a food coach, personal trainer and chef (and a mommy). In this article she gives good and healthy advice on What's the Fastest Way to Get Back In Shape After Giving Birth? And I know, I know, there's that question again "how fast did she loose the weight after the baby??" Forget all that, I would say, let's just go at our own pace. Whatever feels good to us and our doctor recommends which knows our history, which Marisol does mention. You can learn more about her and the company she founded www.DiosaFitness.com where she helps create awareness through healthy eating, cooking and exercise by "transforming lives, rebuilding new bodies." Eh, eh, you see, we have new bodies. After the baby bodies. And damn are they sexy... milk and purée stains and all!