When I see gals in my ward (like Stephanie H or Britney M) with their cute pregnant bellies sticking out, somehow I've always just thought I looked like that too. At least, I could imagine to myself that I was proportioned like such a cute pregnant gal. As I was getting ready for the wedding festivities this past weekend in Utah (Eric's bro, Marc, got hitched), I kind of had this idea in my head that THAT is what I looked like. Even looking in the mirror, I still saw myself with filters on. I didn't FEEL enormously pregnant, so I assumed I didn't look like it either. And I felt pretty confident, cute, and-- dare I admit-- even attractively prego.
until I was uploading photos from the weekend. And I saw the reality.
Folks, I look like a beached whale! and I've still got a month and a half to go!
I'm not complaining about being pregnant, that isn't the point of this post. The point is, I was shocked to see that what I THOUGHT I looked like was FAR from the REALITY. Question is, am I the only one who does this? Or have any of you been surprised to 'discover' yourself in a photo or video? and no, I'm not going to disclose those photos for your viewing humor. I am holding out til perhaps a flattering photo can be found. :)
Elisa, I have the same problem! I still view myself as the girl I was on my wedding day, which was a good 30 pounds ago! And I don't even have the excuse of being pregnant ;)
ReplyDeleteI say hold on to your previous perceptions! Because I bet that's what your friends and family see too--a confident, happy, attractive mama. As for me, I'm only halfway through this pregnancy, and I keep marveling at how stretchy our skin must be. Is it really possible that I could stretch any wider?
ReplyDeleteI look at myself in the mirror at my house and think "Okay, not so bad". Then I go to the gym. What is it about those mirrors that make me look SOOOOOOOOOO huge. And honestly, is my Butt THAT big. Surely not. I don't have the excuse of being pregnant. I think they have circus mirrors at the gym just to keep you coming back! I'm going on that!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely have had moments like that. One of my most memorable distorted body image times was right after I had Weston. I felt SO skinny! I assumed I looked that way too, until about a week after I gave birth I caught a glimpse of myself in a floor to ceiling mirror while walking through the mall with my mom. Woah. I could not believe that was me. I still looked about 5 months pregnant?!? Why hadn't anyone told me?!? Now I know in my brain that I'm not as skinny as I feel after I have a baby, but I still always feel that way.
ReplyDeleteBTW I'm sure you still look great. And you should definitely hang on to those pics of you, even if you think they are awful, because it's so amazing to look back at them and remember what it was like to be pregnant with each of your babies. :)
You know what it's like when you hear your voice in a recording, without the internal resonances in your head? It doesn't sound like you. Everyone hates to listen to a recording of themselves. Pictures can be the same way.
ReplyDeleteI only notice my very crooked nose in pictures—there is no reason why the mirror wouldn't show it the way a picture does (except maybe depth perception??), but when I see a picture of my face, I can't see anything BUT how crooked my nose is, and whether this picture is taken from the better side for hiding it.
You've never really noticed how crooked my nose is? Yeah, I'm the only one who does (though you'll see it now that I've said it).
I was Tweeting with Tamara about this last week—we agreed that we had so few body issues before children. So thanks a lot, kids. Good thing I love you.
I do that all the time! For one, since I cut my hair (about 2 YEARS ago!), I keep looking at hair accessories and thinking of updo's... then remember I don't have enough hair. Then there was the time when I was 8 months pregnant and finally found a jacket at the store that I wanted... and tried it on, completely forgetting that I had a belly that wouldn't allow me to zip it up! haha. I started laughing in the store and had to go home before I made other ridiculous picks. I still think I look like I did in high school but I probably never will again.
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny, I do that all of the time! I finally stopped taking prego pictures after I got towards the end! ha ha
ReplyDeleteYou should post SOME kind of preggo pictures on your blog though!
HAHAHAHA, I definitely have experienced that realization before!! haha, your reaction is awesome! Pregnancy is still cute, even if you're a beached whale! lol Just smile, know that it'll take time to get back to normal, but it won't last! :) (congrats to Marc!)
ReplyDeleteElisa, This is one of my favorite posts! I am a total fatty when I'm prego, but for some reason I think I look okay UNTIL I see pics of myself.
ReplyDeleteSame thing for after I give birth. I feel SO much smaller (probably b/c I am COMPARED to what I was), but then I look at pics and I still have a WAYS to go.
I think you look darling!!
Yeah, pretty sure you don't have to be pregnant to have those moments. Nope. Definitely not!
ReplyDeleteJust don't lay down on a sand-colored blanket...makes it all the more real. ;) Personal experience!
ReplyDelete