Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty, and Life after Pregnancy is for every woman who has ever doubted herself or her self-worth after the birth of a child. Because most women spend much of their lives attempting to change their bodies, it’s not surprising that the weight gain that comes along with pregnancy (and post-pregnancy), coupled with the challenges of parenting, only exacerbate issues with weight, body image, disordered eating, and self-esteem. Drawing on the wisdom of eating disorders expert Dr. Dena Cabrera, as well as the personal experiences of former anorexic Emily Wierenga, Mom in the Mirror is a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual response to a female generation seeking its true identity in an appearance-based world. With chapters that deal with bruises from the past, misconceptions about pregnancy, life before and after children, marriage and motherhood, spiritual and physical nourishment, relationships with friends and family, and the changing role of a mother as her children age, it is a holistic approach to the age-old questions: Who am I, and why am I here? Comprising personal stories, expert advice, reflection questions, and helpful tools, this book is an inspiring read intended for women everywhere who want to restore a positive body image and to overcome the insecurities that arise when pregnancy is over and child-rearing begins.
Table of Contents Introduction Tips for Postnatal Body Confidence ACCEPTING YOUR CHANGING BODY SETTING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS EMBRACING YOUR NEW SHAPE PRACTICING SELF -CARE NURTURING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH POSITIVITY CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLOTHING FINDING THE RIGHT FIT HIGHLIGHTING YOUR FAVORITE FEATURES STAYING ACTIVE STARTING SLOWLY FOCUSING ON STRENGTH AND ENERGY EATING A BALANCED DIET PRIORITIZING NUTRIENT -RICH FOODS PRACTICING MINDFUL EATING SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES SHARING EXPERIENCES SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP BEING KIND TO YOURSELF CELEBRATING SMALL VICTORIES REMINDING YOURSELF OF YOUR WORTH
Your guide to the emotions of pregnancy and early motherhood, from two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists. When you are pregnant, you get plenty of advice about your growing body and developing baby. Yet so much about motherhood happens in your head. What everyone really wants to know: Is this normal? -Even after months of trying, is it normal to panic after finding out you’re pregnant? -Is it normal not to feel love at first sight for your baby? -Is it normal to fight with your parents and partner? -Is it normal to feel like a breastfeeding failure? -Is it normal to be zonked by “mommy brain?” In What No One Tells You, two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists reassure you that the answer is yes. With thirty years of combined experience counseling new and expectant mothers, they provide a psychological and hormonal backstory to the complicated emotions that women experience, and show why it’s natural for “matrescence”—the birth of a mother—to be as stressful and transformative a period as adolescence. Here, finally, is the first-ever practical guide to help new mothers feel less guilt and more self-esteem, less isolation and more kinship, less resentment and more intimacy, less exhaustion and more pleasure, and learn other tips to navigate the ups and downs of this exciting, demanding time
"Postnatal Body Confidence: Embracing Your Mom Bod" is your empowering guide to self-love and self-acceptance on your postpartum journey. Motherhood is a remarkable chapter in your life, and this book will help you embrace your beautiful mom body with confidence. Chapter 1: Your Changing Body Understanding Postpartum Changes: Learn about the physical transformations that occur during and after pregnancy. Realistic Expectations: Discover how to set achievable and healthy goals for your postpartum body. Chapter 2: Nurturing Your Self-Esteem Body Image and Self-Esteem: Explore the connection between body image and self-worth. Acceptance and Self-Love: Find strategies to foster a positive self-image and love yourself unconditionally. Chapter 3: Physical and Mental Wellness Exercise and Movement: Embrace physical activity that supports both your body and mind. Mindfulness and Stress Management: Learn techniques to reduce stress and boost mental well-being. Chapter 4: Dressing for Confidence Wardrobe Choices: Discover how your clothing can enhance your self-assurance. Body-Positive Fashion: Find tips for shopping and styling outfits that make you feel fabulous. Chapter 5: Body Positivity in Motherhood The Mom Bod Movement: Understand the significance of celebrating postpartum bodies. Sharing Your Journey: Learn how your experiences can inspire and uplift other mothers. Chapter 6: Building a Support System Finding Like-Minded Moms: Connect with other mothers who share your body-positive journey. Support from Loved Ones: Encourage your loved ones to be part of your support network. Chapter 7: Confidence Boosters Self-Care Rituals: Implement self-care practices that nurture your mind and body. Goal Setting and Achievement: Set and reach personal milestones to boost your confidence. Chapter 8: Loving Your Mom Bod at Every Stage Pregnancy and Beyond: Embrace your body throughout every stage of motherhood. Long-Term Body Positivity: Cultivate a lasting and loving relationship with your mom bod. "Postnatal Body Confidence: Embracing Your Mom Bod" is your partner in celebrating the strength, beauty, and resilience of your postpartum body. Say goodbye to unrealistic standards and hello to self-love and acceptance. Whether you're a new mom or an experienced one, this book empowers you to own your unique mom bod and live your best, confident life.Table of Contents Introduction Postnatal Body Confidence: Embracing Your Mom Bod UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGES EMBRACING THE NEW YOU SELF -LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE SETTING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS APPRECIATING YOUR BODY'S JOURNEY BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY CONNECTING WITH OTHER MOMS ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS AND FORUMS PROFESSIONAL HELP AND COUNSELING PRACTICING SELF-CARE PHYSICAL SELF -CARE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL SELF -CARE SELF -CARE RITUALS AND PRACTICES DRESSING YOUR MOM BOD CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLOTHES ACCESSORIZING AND STYLING BODY -POSITIVE FASHION BRANDS EXERCISE AND FITNESS AFTER PREGNANCY POSTNATAL EXERCISE GUIDELINES ENGAGING IN ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES EMBRACING YOUR NEW FITNESS JOURNEY EMPOWERING BODY-POSITIVE MINDSET
"Postnatal Body Positivity: Loving Yourself Through Every Stage" is a powerful guide to help you embrace your post-baby body, celebrate your unique journey, and foster unwavering self-love and confidence. This book empowers you to appreciate your changing body and navigate the beautiful challenges of motherhood with grace. Chapter 1: Accepting Your Post-Baby Body Learn the art of self-acceptance. This chapter provides essential insights into accepting and cherishing your post-baby body. Chapter 2: Embracing Stretch Marks and Scars Discover the beauty within your scars and stretch marks. Understand their origins and find inspiration in celebrating these natural imprints of your journey. Chapter 3: Embracing Your Changing Breasts Embrace the beauty of your evolving breasts. This chapter helps you build confidence and self-assurance in your changing body. Chapter 4: Rebuilding Body Confidence Reignite your body confidence with practical tips and empowering advice. Chapter 5: Nurturing Your Mental Health Prioritize your mental well-being. Explore strategies to nurture your mental health and emotional resilience. Chapter 6: Exercise and Fitness Post-Baby Embark on a postnatal fitness journey that promotes both physical and mental well-being. Chapter 7: Fashion and Style Tips Discover fashion and style tips that accentuate your unique beauty, making you feel confident and empowered. Chapter 8: Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People Cultivate a supportive community that uplifts and empowers you throughout your postnatal journey. Chapter 9: Practicing Self-Care Learn self-care rituals and practices that replenish your mind, body, and soul. Chapter 10: Mindfulness and Meditation Harness the power of mindfulness and meditation to boost your self-love and body positivity. Chapter 11: Indulging in Pampering Treatments Treat yourself to pampering treatments that enhance your well-being and self-esteem. Chapter 12: Setting Realistic Expectations Set achievable goals and embrace the joy of meeting them, celebrating every milestone along the way. Chapter 13: Celebrating Your Postnatal Journey Capture your postnatal journey and learn how to celebrate every moment, big or small. Chapter 14: Documenting Your Journey Create meaningful records of your postnatal experience, preserving memories to cherish forever. Chapter 15: Sharing Your Story Share your inspiring postnatal story and become a beacon of empowerment for others. "Postnatal Body Positivity: Loving Yourself Through Every Stage" is a roadmap to cultivating self-love, body positivity, and confidence during and after the incredible journey of motherhood. Empower yourself, celebrate your unique beauty, and embrace every stage of your postnatal transformation.Table of Contents Introduction Postnatal Body Positivity: Loving Yourself Through Every Stage ACCEPTING YOUR POST-BABY BODY EMBRACING STRETCH MARKS AND SCARS UNDERSTANDING THE ORIGINS OF STRETCH MARKS CELEBRATING THE BEAUTY OF SCARS EMBRACING YOUR CHANGING BREASTS REBUILDING BODY CONFIDENCE NURTURING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH EXERCISE AND FITNESS POST -BABY FASHION AND STYLE TIPS SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE PRACTICING SELF-CARE MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION INDULGING IN PAMPERING TREATMENTS SETTING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS CELEBRATING YOUR POSTNATAL JOURNEY DOCUMENTING YOUR JOURNEY SHARING YOUR STORY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Have Questions / Comments? Get Another Book Free
Intimate stories from notable and influential women that celebrate the early stages of life and the start of motherhood. A book that changes the narrative about postpartum, Life After Birth illustrates what life is really like after birth—not just days and weeks later, but also years afterward. What is the transition to motherhood really like? From a parent in the military to a mother’s pregnancy of 42 weeks, Life After Birth is filled with accounts of strength, resilience, and power. Every birth is a unique story. While we tend to focus our attention on the arrival of a baby, in pregnancy parents are also introduced to a new self. Life After Birth reflects on the many physical changes as well as the myriad of feelings that are brought on by this transformation and the inseparable bond a new life brings. Revealing real experiences and raw emotions, this book is a celebration of life and a celebration of the human body.
Create a healthier and happier life by treating yourself with compassion rather than shame. Imagine a graph with two lines. One indicates happiness, the other tracks how you feel about your body. If you’re like millions of people, the lines do not intersect. But what if they did? This practical, inspirational, and visually lively book shows you the way to a sense of well-being attained by understanding how to love, connect, and care for yourself—and that includes your mind as well as your body. Body Kindness is based on four principles. WHAT YOU DO: the choices you make about food, exercise, sleep, and more HOW YOU FEEL: befriending your emotions and standing up to the unhelpful voice in your head WHO YOU ARE: goal-setting based on your personal values WHERE YOU BELONG: body-loving support from people and communities that help you create a meaningful life With mind and body exercises to keep your energy spiraling up and prompts to help you identify what YOU really want and care about, Body Kindness helps you let go of things you can't control and embrace the things you can by finding the workable, daily steps that fit you best. It's the anti-diet book that leads to a more joyful and meaningful life.
The standard reference for practitioners, researchers, and students, this acclaimed work brings together internationally recognized experts from diverse mental health, medical, and allied health care disciplines. Contributors review established and emerging theories and findings; probe questions of culture, gender, health, and disorder; and present evidence-based assessment, treatment, and prevention approaches for the full range of body image concerns. Capturing the richness and complexity of the field in a readily accessible format, each of the 53 concise chapters concludes with an informative annotated bibliography. New to This Edition *Addresses the most urgent current questions in the field. *Reflects significant advances in key areas: assessment, body image in boys and men, obesity, illness-related body image issues, and cross-cultural research. *Conceptual Foundations section now incorporates evolutionary, genetic, and positive psychology perspectives. *Increased coverage of prevention.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the embarrassing (and often unspoken) issues your body endures postpartum but didn't know who to ask! Beyond Nine Months will empower moms of all ages. It's time to reveal the real information and solutions behind the embarrassment and frustration of peeing your pants when you jump or sneeze, pelvic organ prolapse, back pain, abdominal separation, and painful sex. Once you are postpartum, you are always postpartum, and this book is going to take you beyond Kegel exercises to find a resolution once and for all to renew your confidence in your body again! Beyond Nine Months will: Reveal the missing links in the US Healthcare system facing women today, which are readily available to you! Challenge the belief that motherhood includes physical changes that are irreversible. Learn how to finally resolve embarrassing bladder control issues naturally without having to wear a pad or dark yoga pants with exercise, improve prolapse symptoms and diastasis recti without dangerous surgery, how to resume your active life without back pain stopping you... AND MUCH MORE! Learn the secrets to resolving common women's health issues naturally by seeing the doctor ALL women need in their life. Provide you with the exact tangible action steps (no matter what your age) to give you more energy, free of worry, and the active lifestyle you deserve! You train to get your body to look or perform a certain way, but do you train to restore, heal, and perform for the demands of motherhood following a nine-month period that has put a significant strain on your physical body? As you reach your 40s, 50s, and beyond and facing unnecessary surgeries and use of medications, there is available conservative and effective options, as noted in this book, to keep free from worrying about your future health. If you or someone you know has had a baby (whether weeks, months, or even YEARS ago!), this is a must-read so you are not left in the dark and you can feel like yourself again--no matter what your age! "Dr. Andalon highlights something in motherhood that is so important, that once you become a mother you are always postpartum. Women have been taught by society to not talk about how our bodies really change once we have babies, and therefore, important issues we face in regards to our female health are overlooked." --Lara Schulte Co- Founder, Generation.Mom About the Author: Dr. Dawn Andalon is a physical therapist, educator, author, and co-owner of LEVEL4 Physio in Encinitas, CA. She is known as a leading spine and postpartum women's health specialist in the San Diego area. Prior to living in Carlsbad, CA, she worked at Nike WHQ in Portland, OR, as a physical therapist. Dr. Dawn has also been a Pilates-based PT, which she has implemented with elite and Olympic athletes, surfers, and the weekend warrior to enhance their chosen sport and for rehab with spinal injuries. She is highly trained in pelvic floor rehab, holds a manual therapy certification from University of St. Augustine, and has special training with the female athlete population. Dr. Dawn has a passion for postnatal care, serving as an educator to bridge the gap between labor/delivery and return to exercise, which is evident in this book.
