Anonymous wrote: OP, I too have had four kids. I don't believe that your body is ruined after kids. I work out, eat right and take care of my body. I'm in the best shape in my entire life and I weigh 20 pounds less than before I had kids. Weight training is awesome! The whole mentality that a body is ruined after kids is a lie that some people believe. Happy Holidays!!

I'm this poster. Prior to having kids, I was a size 8 and sometimes even a size 10. My kids inspired me to get fit and live healthy. I'm also at home with my children. I can't remember the last time I got my hair done professionally, I wear nice clothes when my DH and I go out because it makes me feel good and I don't think anyone expects a mother of four to look runway ready. HOWEVER, I don't like feeling out of shape and I enjoy eating good food. I'm a size 4 and have no desire to be a size 0. I enjoy life in moderation. I try to keep my body in shape because it makes me feel better, physically and mentally. I don't own a gym membership but I have a weight set at home that I typically use when my kids are asleep. I sometimes run with our dog. A mother doesn't have to wear a bikini to feel good. I believe we decide what our bodies look like, to a certain degree and this is coming from someone that doesn't have genetics on their side. THAT is what it means to me and we all have a different idea of what a woman's body should or shouldn't look like.

OP HERE.

I am not overweight nor do I have the most fit and toned body. I'm a SAHM of 4 kids under the age of 6, full time college student. I spend my days servicing my family and have let myself move to the back burner.

The point of my post was not to have someone tell me *HOW* to get fit. I also don't agree with the "your body can be the same after child birth" statement-- if you have 4 kids like I do, you would understand me when I tell you that my hips won't ever fit into size 0 jeans again. And, honestly, I am not complaining about that either.

I'm insecure about the fact that I don't have the money/time to take care of myself like other women I see. I'm insecure that my clothes have stains on them by 8am and that my hair is thrown up in a bun more than it's down and straightened perfectly. I'm insecure that my breasts aren't perky after breastfeeding 4 children and that my stomach isn't as flat as all those hot women at the pool.

Of course, there is plastic surgery, a gym, I could get a job and not stay at home so that I could afford the every 6 week hair appointment, my nails done and eyebrows waxed. Oh, and I could send my kids to daycare and have pretty clothes without stains. But, that isn't the point either.

The point is that my husband actually heard me. He stopped. He wrapped me in his arms. He told me something real, honest. He was compassionate. He opened up. You all may think he was blowing smoke up my ass to get laid but I don't agree with you. My husband doesn't have to wine and dine me to get in my pants-- we've been at this for a decade already. He was being genuine.

My DW has body image issues. I think she's hot. I tell her repeatedly. It doesn't matter. My opinion doesn't seem to count. I "have to say that" according to her.

If she wants unpleasant honesty, she should ask me what I think about our sex life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: OP, I too have had four kids. I don't believe that your body is ruined after kids. I work out, eat right and take care of my body. I'm in the best shape in my entire life and I weigh 20 pounds less than before I had kids. Weight training is awesome! The whole mentality that a body is ruined after kids is a lie that some people believe. Happy Holidays!!

Unless it ruined OP's body... It didn't ruin yours because you worked to keep your body but for some, they let themselves go and yes, the husband settles for it.

or maybe the PP was overweight before kids and now she is fine. I was 114 pounds before kids, do you think I should go down to 94? the wrong idea is that a body is "ruined" if its shape changes with life. yes, if you get 80 pounds on maybe you should do a better job of taking care of yourself. but thinking that at 50 and with kids you can have the same body as a skinny model is just stupid. some women have that body, most women don't, even at a young age. just eat right, do a reasonable amount of exercise to stay healthy, and embrace your body and age

Food for thought...I've known women with great bodies that are as appealing as a frozen carp, and heavy women that make you want to tear their clothes off. Point is, sexy is as much, or MORE, a state of mind. How you see yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: OP, I too have had four kids. I don't believe that your body is ruined after kids. I work out, eat right and take care of my body. I'm in the best shape in my entire life and I weigh 20 pounds less than before I had kids. Weight training is awesome! The whole mentality that a body is ruined after kids is a lie that some people believe. Happy Holidays!!

Unless it ruined OP's body... It didn't ruin yours because you worked to keep your body but for some, they let themselves go and yes, the husband settles for it.

or maybe the PP was overweight before kids and now she is fine. I was 114 pounds before kids, do you think I should go down to 94? the wrong idea is that a body is "ruined" if its shape changes with life. yes, if you get 80 pounds on maybe you should do a better job of taking care of yourself. but thinking that at 50 and with kids you can have the same body as a skinny model is just stupid. some women have that body, most women don't, even at a young age. just eat right, do a reasonable amount of exercise to stay healthy, and embrace your body and age

Anonymous wrote: OP, I too have had four kids. I don't believe that your body is ruined after kids. I work out, eat right and take care of my body. I'm in the best shape in my entire life and I weigh 20 pounds less than before I had kids. Weight training is awesome! The whole mentality that a body is ruined after kids is a lie that some people believe. Happy Holidays!!

Unless it ruined OP's body... It didn't ruin yours because you worked to keep your body but for some, they let themselves go and yes, the husband settles for it.