Over a 10-year period, I have gained and lost over 150 pounds!

I have had 9 pregnancies and 6 deliveries!

My. Body. Is. Amazing!!

Whether you’ve had 1 pregnancy or 10, your body is amazing!

Whether you’ve gained and lost 80 pounds (my mom with me, bless her heart), 20 pounds, or somewhere in between, your body is amazing!

My body has grown, stretched, and expanded in ways that I never could have imagined, before experiencing pregnancy for myself. I remember, before I had children of my own, watching pregnant friends and family members in their final months and wondering what the deal was with the waddle.  Experiencing pregnancy was definitely the best teacher for me. The changes that my hips go through in order to hold me up as my body takes on more weight. The effort, both physical and mental, that it takes to rise from a seated position. The lopsided balancing act as my belly grows disproportionately from the rest of my body. 

In the final months of my last several pregnancies, I can remember the conscious effort it took just to walk down a grocery store aisle because of the weight that my body was carrying. Thus, some major waddling was happening. At that point, all I could do was embrace my body and encourage myself with how amazing I am.   

“One leg in front of the other!” I would silently cheer myself on.  

“Keep breathing in and out!” I would coach myself as if I were running a marathon.  

“You’re almost there, just get these groceries loaded into the van!” I would encourage myself as if I were in a bodybuilding competition.

“Lift that leg into the van one more time!” I would instruct myself as if it were something that I hadn’t effortlessly done 10,000 times before.

“Victory!!” I would shout to myself when I pulled into our driveway as if I’d just won a Gold Medal.

There is a huge mental component that comes along with pregnancy.  We will ourselves to push through fatigue, morning sickness, body aches, appetite changes, mood shifts, body changes, and so much more.  We roll out of bed to carry out our day in the midst of these obstacles and we meet them head-on. That. Is. Amazing!  

Pregnancy is a full-contact sport that is not for the faint of heart!  You should feel proud, encouraged, inspired, and absolutely unstoppable. You were up to the challenge.  You came out victorious.  Your life will never be the same.  

Your prize:  a precious baby that you have the privilege to nurture for many years to come.

It doesn’t get much better than that!

Well done mama! You. Are. Amazing!!