Weight is such a touchy subject
June 30th, 2009
I always used to wonder why people had such a problem discussing weight or coming to terms with it.
Maybe that’s because I never had weight issues, that is until I had my first baby. Then all of a sudden I was so super sensitive to the topic.
It made me realize that it’s something you feel so helpless about.
I was so upset because I couldn’t work out initially after I had my baby. She was so small and I was nursing so I didn’t want to leave her for even a minute.
Months went by and I just felt like this huge blob.
I gained 45 pounds and I’m short, so it really added up. My feet were killing me and I developed major pain in one foot so that even if I wanted to go for a walk, I couldn’t last for more than 5 minutes before I had to sit down.
To make matters worse, all the girls around me were young newlyweds and all they did was dress up. I felt like a mess. I couldn’t fit into my old clothes, and my maternity clothes were not stylish whatsoever.
Don’t even get me started on trying to find a decent top to fit. If you’ve had kids you probably know what I’m talking about. Or you may be lucky and have kept your shape throughout your pregnancy.
I remember at my baby shower one of my close friends, who usually says whatever is on her mind, turned to me and said, “Wow, no offense girl, but you got HUGE!”
I wanted to run and hide and cry.
Then there were the constant questions from nosy folks, “So how much weight did you gain so far?”
The reason I’m writing about this is to tell anyone struggling with weight, that you’re not alone. You can take control of your life if you start today. I know it’s easier than it sounds. You just have to find something deep within to push you to keep going.
When I look back at pictures I really can’t believe how big I was. I knew I was uncomfortable (and this is after I had the baby). I hated the way my thighs rubbed against each other, I hated the way I couldn’t find anything to fit, and I couldn’t stand being tired all the time.
From (L-R): Hanging by the river April 2007, This past January 2009 on vacation.
The fact is, it takes time. The results don’t come overnight. It took me almost 2 years until I was where I wanted to be. But time flies and it’s such a great feeling to know you accomplished something.
Now that I’m pregnant again, I’m trying my best to really work out and not eat whatever is in front of me because I feel a hunger pang.
I want to be healthy for myself and my family. And I really don’t want to wait another 2 years to get back into my non-maternity clothes!
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salaam mariam, nice post! i know this is a problem a LOT of us have!! i have to be careful too not to get careless about exercise / foods / etc :p so easy to happen!
that’s great you managed to get to a healthier weight
good luck to all the ladies reading that are working on that as well.
Thanks Mariam for sharing this with us, i my self went through this and i totally understand how it feels when you are big and how great it feels when you loose the weight, and let me add that it is very hard, it is just that you need to start
So i’ve always been overweight, and im 5′2 so yeah it shows more haha and few years before i got pregnant i decided its time to eat healthy and hit the gym, alhamdullilah it worked… THEN I GOT PREGNANT! But funny thing is, everyone around me expected me to gain so much, especially my family, because of my weight issue, but by miracle, stress, and depression lol i quickly lost it after his birth but now that im settled and a stay at home mom, its really hard for me to keep an active life, but I know we have to, especially since we’re setting an example to our kids. I also wish us moms stop comparing our experiences just to feel better about ourselves. Thanks for the post! its motivating
Salaam,
i completely feel ya! I have two kiddos…and it definitely took me a little while to get back to my pre-baby weight. For some reason…maybe its the hormones…right after i deliver…im always very very touchy about my weight.
getting off my butt after the delivery is the hardest part for me. I hate to admit it…but i love that while pregnant my husband runs around buying me all kinds of craving food…and kinda babying me. I get a little lazy…and the Buddha belly keeps growin’!
thanks for such an honest post.
I hope that next time (insha Allah) i’ll have the motivation to get back on the treadmill sooner!
Let me share my story
i think the biggest thing for me was the portion of food and most importantly the snacks in between, my advice is to have healthy snacks 
Thanks for sharing, Mariam. You look like a different person!
I dont have kids yet, but I struggle a lot to stay at a healthy weight! It may sound shallow, but that is one of the things I fear when I get pregnant – that I gain too much weight, because it takes so much longer to lose it! Also, all the consequences of extra weight, like the knee or foot pain.
I’m trying to get into a good workout and running schedule so I can keep or, at least be somehwat fit before getting pregnant…Am i being too optimistic?
If you want advice from someone who finally found something that works – eat whole grains, minimize white flour (bread, pasta) and sugary drinks intake and add protein to every meal you have. It will be good for the baby too!
It sounds like you are doing well though! Good luck and the best of health for you and the baby; )
Thank you all for commenting
I guess weight is a struggle for most women. And whether you have kids or not, it’s just something you have to take care of in order to stay healthy. I look at my grandmother on my dad’s side of the family and feel sad, because she dedicated her life to raising many children and taking care of her house, but in the end she is the one now suffering because she never took care of herself. I really don’t want to end up like that.
Sally you’re not shallow for your thoughts.. lol I used to think that before I was preggers. But now I realize things can be done to get back to normal.
Hopefully when you get pregnant you’ll have it nice and easy and not have any issues afterward that’ll keep you from getting back on your feet.
I guess I was really nervous with my first one and wanted to make sure I was eating enough
. Plus I was working full time until the day I delivered so I was always too tired when I got home to work out.
Salaam Mariam! Thanks for sharing. I used to be larger than I am now and know the feeling of being self conscious! Funny though when I lost weight due to exercising regularly, people kept asking why I had lost so much weight with concerned looks!! You can never please people! Just as long as you feel fit and healthy thats all that matters. PS. You look gorgeous in the stripey grey and yellow shirt! Hot Mum alert!!!
I just had a baby too. I lost most of it, but still have an extra 25 pounds. I used to wear size 2 petite in pants, now a 8 petite barely fits me. I have the biggest double chin ever! Its amazing how fast your body can change. After reading your post, I am thinking the pain in my feet when I walk or even stand is attributed to the extra weight on my body. Once I get an okay from my doctor, I plan on working out right away because I want to be healthy and fit into my clothes again!
I’ve put on quite a bit of weight since 2000. Not from kids, but from being 45 and having a different metabolism from before. Then about 3 months ago I discovered my cholesterol had jumped 45 points in the 3 previous months. So cut cholesterol consumption in half, started going for long walks, and lo and behold I’ve lost about 20 pounds without really trying. I think it’s better to just focus on healthy habits rather than on losing any particular amount of weight, because then if we do drop pounds, they’re more likely to stay off.
Mariam, Congratulations Masha’Allah on the metamorphosis. You look fantastic now, the outfit is perfect Subhan Allah!
Mariam exactly how did you do it? What are your tips/recipes, etc? You are obviously very successful at it and look how long you’ve kept it off already! I know it’s been hard. I never put on weight until I had kids either. Mine started out that way and ended up as something more (long story). I can relate to Caraboska and the fact that changing your lifestyle and eating healthy is much better than a goal to only lose weight. For me, I can start anything, I know what to do basically but the thing is sticking with it and not becoming bored or discouraged. As well as getting so hungry and ending up stuffing with quick snacks and foods that are not good for you. I try to keep them out of the house! Exercise is a problem and I have to look for other ways to cut the fat. Has anyone tried any of the weight loss programs? I guess the real problem is laziness for me and not letting things filter from my head to my heart. It truly is a battle.
Now trying to be modest as a women struggling to lose some weight can often set a feeling of frumpy when everything seems to drape on you with more material than you want. I like the tips you give on Hijabtrendz because it gives me ideas on how to look chic and fashionable with what I have to work with!
Ladies I can honestly say that there was no one thing that I did that was the “magic answer” to weight loss. I think partly it was the fact that I nursed my daughter consistently until she was almost 2 years. And nursing does burn at least 500 calories a day.
In addition I started to push myself to go to the gym everyday. In the beginning it was a struggle, but after awhile it got so easy and got to a point that I felt grumpy if I didn’t make it to the gym lol. I also noticed that I really lost a lot of the weight during Ramadan. I would go to the gym about an hour or two before it was time to break my fast. It kept my mind off food and helped me eat better. For myself, if I workout I find I’m not as hungry and I don’t have as many junk food cravings.
I will try in coming posts to put up some of the things that helped me keep focused and perhaps other readers can share their tips as well
Oh and perhaps we can have a workout/weight loss challenge? Hmmm
oh Mariam Masha Allah! u look gorgeous now! helpppppp me please.. i have a lil baby and i really want to go back to my pre preg weight!! i can’t go to gym because the gyms usually close around 5 and my hubby comes back around 6! i’ve no one to babysit Eesa! i bought a treadmill though :p
please help!!!
i’m breastfeeding my baby too but i guess its not helping in my case :p
do share some tips!!! once again u look stunning masha Allah!!!