The most important thing is to be healthy
Last year, I met a woman at the airport when I was about to check in for a flight. She looked very young and beautiful. There were 4 children standing beside her but I never thought they were hers until one of her children said she wanted to use the rest room.
"So this woman is a mother to these 4 children?"
I was so shocked. She didn't look like a mother.
We checked in and coincidentally, she and her children sat close to me. I had fun watching them as we waited to board the plane.
The boarding call for my flight was made and I realized that we were all on the same plane and our seats were together. I sat in between two of her children while she sat with the other 2 children.
Why was I shocked to realize that she was a mother of 4 children?
Because people in Nigeria will tell you that your body will change when you get pregnant and give birth. You will become fatter, have a protruding stomach that will never become flat again, have stretch marks, have sagging breasts and..... In fact, you will become "ugly."
I've seen women who gave birth to more than one child and they didn't become fat. In fact, one particular mother modelled for a runway show five months after giving birth to twin boys. Of course, we all know what a "model's" body looks like.
I've never been pregnant so I don't know the body changes that occur with pregnancy and child birth. I also don't know what these women did to get their "model" body back.
But ladies,
1. Please don't compare your body to another woman. The most important thing is for you to be healthy and look good. Don't kill yourself trying to look like a model or to have a perfect "bikini" body.
2. Some women may never become fat or have protruding stomach even after multiple births. Some women don't have stretch marks during or after delivery. This may be due to hereditary and other factors.
3. It's okay to tell women what to expect when pregnant and after delivery, it's okay to share past experiences with expecting mothers but don't scare them with your stories or make it a standard. Not every woman experiences significant changes in her body so face your own body and leave her to face hers. maternity bridesmaid dresses
4. You don't know the great work some women do to maintain a slim physique. It's good to work out and check your diet but don't kill yourself.
The most important thing is that you're healthy. Try to maintain a good shape but don't kill yourself.
5. To the men, have it in mind that your wife's body may or may not change. If her body changes during pregnancy or after delivery, please stand by her. She needs your support. You can encourage her to work out but do it with love. You can even join her in the work out so that she doesn't feel bad.
Don't make her feel unloved. Don't compare her with other women or with how she was in the past. Give her words of affirmation and reassure her of how beautiful she is and that you still love her.
She may never get back to the size and shape that she was when you first met her so don't nag her. Support, encourage and work with her to achieve a healthy and "good looking" figure.
Finally to the ladies (me inclusive), eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, rest, go for regular medical check ups, dress up in nice clothes, make yourself look good and walk with confidence whether your body is a "bikini" body or not.
Have a beautiful Monday
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