I'm getting too thin.

[Amris]

I know that most won't understand this, but you all will.

I had a baby approx 13 weeks ago. Before I got pregnant, I was 145 pounds at 18% body fat. Now, I am 134 pounds with 23% body fat (skin calipers). I realize that it's an attachment to numbers, but I just hate the way I look right now.

My boyfriend, (I think he felt he was being supportive), said to me, "You're getting pretty slender, I can see the bones on your pelvis."

Those bones used to have a nice layer of muscle over them. Now, I just look bony.

I'm very grateful that I've lost the excess weight from the pregnancy. And I'm grateful that my belly looks relatively slender again. But the breastfeeding seems to be taking a lot out of me, and I'm becoming more slender than I want to be.

I'm eating everything in sight, I just spent $200 on food. So it's not like I'm starving myself.

And as much as he's trying to be supportive, I KNOW that my boyfriend likes me a little "fuller" looking.

So over all, while I am trying hard to focus on the positives... it kind of hurts me a little when well-meaning people tell me, "You're so slender for having just had a baby!" I just smile and thank them, because I know they don't mean what it feels like when they say it, which is, "Oh, look at all the muscle you've lost!"

No question or anything, I guess. I'm just rambling to people that I hope will understand where I'm coming from, since it's so "wrong" in "normal" circles for me to feel this way.

[EMISGOD]

I think you are taking their messages the wrong way. I don't know anyone alive that would say something to mean, "look at all the muscle you've lost". If your body is still in shifting hormonal changes, you will just have to ride it out. There is no point in getting frustrated about it, just use the time to plan your triumphant return to the gym (and whatever form you desire) or if you are working out already, then you have it easier than some as you already have an area of focus and just now need a plan of attack...

[Amris]

I think you are taking their messages the wrong way. I don't know anyone alive that would say something to mean, "look at all the muscle you've lost". If your body is still in shifting hormonal changes, you will just have to ride it out. There is no point in getting frustrated about it, just use the time to plan your triumphant return to the gym (and whatever form you desire) or if you are working out already, then you have it easier than some as you already have an area of focus and just now need a plan of attack...

No no, I meant, "i just smile and say thank you" because I KNOW they are NOT meaning that.

That's how I FEEL when they say that, but I KNOW it's not what they mean.

[rhbrand]

Are you breastfeeding? IF you are, your body will hold on to extra fat for the baby to make sure you've got something to give the baby,

And even if you are not, your body will still hold on to a little extra fat for a while " just in case"

And as for being upset over numbers and well meening people, some of that is hormonal changes. Your body and mind have just been put in a blender and a fertilized egg hit the on button. Your mind has been flooded with one hormone for 9 months, then cut off of it at delivery and now is flooded with another hormone. No wonder you feel terrible when someone says you are slim after having a baby!! Been there 3 times and done that!

The feeling does get better, trust me! And pretty soon when you notice the muscle is starting to come back and the fat is going away, and you have a beautiful baby to boot, you will actually feel hapy!

[deeyala]

Amris, it took you 9 months to be THAT different
Least you could expect is another 9 months to be back to the old you- in every aspect of your life- not just your body

[caramon]

Have you been able to get back into your training routine again? I'd imagine that'd probably cheer you up again. I tend to feel happier when I'm training regularly. Anyway, you have a lot to be proud of.

[Amris]

Yes, I am working out. I'm working out 5 days a week.

I'm probably doing less cardio than I should, though, in fear of losing even more weight.

[Geno]

Stay on the weights and keep your chin up - it'll come back soon. You know it won't come back overnight because it's a marathon and not a sprint. While breastfeeding you may not be able to put on the muscle you would like for obvious reasons but.................... Kira is worth every lost pound.

I like you when you're bony and when you're muscle girl

[terracotta]

no.. I think doing very little cardio is a good thing right now. You are on the right track it will just take time.