Mommy/Antidepressant Body

Some women can graciously transition from no children to children and embrace each change as a gift and blessing that goes along with motherhood. As you can imagine, I have struggled to see the silver lining at times. One area in particular is my new mommy body. I should preface this by saying that I have always struggled with body image issues, wanting to present perfection to the world. Needless to say it’s impossible and often unhealthy. So this time around I wanted to use some of the things I’ve learned to better appreciate and love the body that gave me my two sweet boys. My biggest problem area is my stomach and both of my boys treat this area of my body as their favorite. Declan will say, “Belly, Mama,” and touch my belly. I asked him why he likes my belly and he told me, “Soft, Mama.” Rocco also seems to have the same obsession, always wanting to touch my stomach. I’ve tried to take this in stride and recognize for them it’s happiness and endearment, and for me it’s not like they are going to point out my flaws forever. So, for now I try to embrace their love of my trouble areas and recognize that they not only love me, but love my imperfections most.

I was really quite fortunate that I lost all my pregnancy weight after Rocco. After Declan I plateaued about 10 lbs above where I wanted to be. Throughout the rollercoaster of postpartum depression and anxiety, the medication added almost another 35 lbs. Despite my efforts, when I looked in the mirror I was disgusted. I didn’t like the way my body looked, and I was struggling to find clothes that fit. And it goes without saying, but if I felt this way about me, how could Jason look at me and see an attractive woman? So it was also taking a toll on our relationship.

My pre-pregnancy clothes are a thing of the past. I’ve tried purchasing flattering tops that would hide my “trouble” areas, hoping that might improve my self- esteem and confidence. So, in an effort to better inform and equip myself with the tools necessary to build a flattering wardrobe, I started researching. I researched different body types and shapes, with the hope of dressing my new body in a flattering way and helping other women do the same! I started pre-children as an inverted triangle and post-children and medication, am an apple. I am 50% endomorph, and 25% meso and ectomorph.

Body Types

There are three main body types.

Ectomorph– lean and long, with difficulty building muscle
Endomorph– big, high body fat, often pear shaped, with a high tendency to store body fat
Mesomorph– muscular and well built, with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells

The Heath-Carter method gives you a score for 1-7 for each type. Almost everyone is a mix. Because the Heath-Carter method is much more involved, there are online quizzes that help ease this determination. Bodybuilding.com,

Regardless of your body type, nutrition and sleep are the keys to success.

Body Shapes

Through researching the various female body shapes, I found it easiest to think of them on a continuum. For the most part, our bodies change over time whether due to aging, pregnancy, stress, diet, fitness, or health related issues. The most common female body shapes are:

Inverted Triangle (Lollipop)- broad shoulders, small hips, slender legs. Your waist is not well defined. Weight changes can shift your body shape. If you gain weight around your top half you tend towards an apple shape. If you have weight or a strong bone structure around your hips, you tend toward a rectangle shape. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Lean Column– narrow shoulders, flat chested or small bust, small or undefined waist, narrow hips, and flat butt. If you gain weight in your hips you tend towards a pear shape. If your shoulders are slightly broader than your hips you tend towards an inverted triangle. If you have a larger bone structure and medium bust you tend toward the rectangle shape. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Rectangle (Banana, Straight)– all your measurements are the same. If you gain weight in your hips, you tend toward a pear shape. You tend toward an inverted triangle if your shoulders are slightly broader than your hips. You tend towards a column if you are petite and have a small bust. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Apple (Oval)– larger bust than hips, full, undefined waist, round shoulders, smaller hips, flatter butt, and slimmer legs and arms. Your greatest asset is your legs. If you tend to put weight on in the upper body section first, you lean toward an inverted triangle. If you gain weight in your hips, you tend toward a pear shape. If you loose weight around your tummy, you tend toward an hourglass figure. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Pear (Bell, Triangle, Spoon)– large hips or full thighs and a tiny bust, defined waist, narrow shoulders, well-defined shape and curves. You lean towards a full hourglass figure if you have a larger bust. If you tend to gain weight in the stomach area, you lean towards an apple shape. Your biggest issues are love handles and you tend to gain weight easily in your thighs and arms. Your greatest assets: lower arms and legs. Spoon– large hips, smaller bust, and the hips have a shelf appearance. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Hourglass– typically described as ideal, with equal bust and hip measurements, a smaller waist measurement, and a curved butt. Gaining weight around your hips tends to make you look more pear shaped. Gaining weight around your tummy tends to make you look more apple shape. A fuller bust, waist, and hips tends toward a full hourglass shape. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Full Hourglass– (Slim Thick) bigger thighs, rounded hips and butt, a small waist, and a full bust. Loosing weight tends towards an hourglass shape. Gaining weight around the hips tends toward a pear shape. Gaining weight around the tummy tends toward an apple shape. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

Diamond– broad hips, small bust, full midsection. You tend to gain weight in the stomach area. Your waist is not well- defined. Your greatest assets: slender and well-shaped arms and your lower legs. For what to wear and what to avoid click here.

What To Wear and What To Avoid for Your Body Shape

Apple

Wear:

Soft, textured fabrics
A-line dresses
Shirts with a tie below the bustline
Tops that fall below the hip bone
Cuff sleeves
Well-fitting clothes
V-necks, scoop necks
Ruching
Empire waistline dresses
Necklaces that come to your bust
Short dresses
Dresses with darker sides and lighter center
Well-defined shoulders
Boot cut, flared, low rise pants
Pants with back pockets
High-waisted shorts
Heels, strappy sandals, wedges, and platforms

Avoid:

Clothes that are too tight, shapeless, or boxy
Rough textures
Pants with minimal waist details and leggings
Turtlenecks, crew necks, boat necks, off the shoulder, and halter necks
Dresses with waistlines
Boots and kitten heels
Short necklaces
Broad belts

Inverted Triangle

(Lollipop)

Wear:

Belts
Straight clothing lines
Keep your top half clean and uncluttered and your volume to your bottom half
Ruffles around the neck
Peplum tops
Low waist jeans with back pockets
V-neck
A-line dresses and skirts
Chunky shoes and earrings
Long dresses
High waisted pants
Sequined shirts

Avoid:

Boat or bandeau necklines
Large straps
Halter neck tops
Big shawl collars
Styles that accentuate your shoulders such as puffy sleeves or shoulder pads
Styles that hide your silhouette
Patterns on top
Scarves
Stiff fabrics
Narrowing hemlines- pencil skirts or skinny jeans
Clutch bags
Petite footwear

Rectangle

(Lean Column/Banana/Straight)

Wear:

Tube tops
Statement belts
Bright colors, different textures, and styles

Avoid:

Clothes that highlight your waist
Rigid and shapeless clothes

Pear

(Bell/Triangle/Spoon)

Wear:

Bright colors
Lighter color on the upper body and darker color on the middle and lower body
Strapless, scoop, boat, and wide necks
Tops with embellishments or patterns that add volume to your bustline
Short skirts and shorts to showcase your great legs
A-line skirts
Boot cut or trouser cut pants
Mid-rise pants
Bracelets and chunky accessories
Push-up or padded bra to balance your upper and lower body
Well defined shoulder jackets, dresses, and tops
Well-fitted waistlines
Handbags that hit at your hip bone
Peep toe, flats, ballerina, and pointed toe shoes

Avoid:

Tops with a tie just below the bust line
Shapeless shirts
Short sleeve crew necks

Balloon dresses
Dresses with ruffles or pleats below the bust
Cigarette or tapered pants
Tight skirts
Wide stripes
Narrow shouldered tops
Round toe, strappy sandals, and kitten heels

Hourglass

Wear:

Broad belts
Wrap around shirts
Flowy dresses
Well-fitting tops
Fitted jackets
Pleated waistlines
Pencil skirts
3/4 length skirts with slits
Leggings
Boots, strappy sandals, high heels, and peep toes
Necklaces that hang to your navel

Avoid:

Shapeless, loose tops and dresses
Gaudy accessories and embellishments

Oval

Wear:

Square, v-neck, and u-necklines

Wrap around tops, dresses, and jackets

Vertical stripes

Peplum and tunic tops

Belted dresses and tops

Wide collared jackets

Flared skirts

Cargo pants

Empire waist tops and dresses

Skirts and dresses that hit just above the knee

High heels

Long, slender earrings

Necklaces that hang to your cleavage

Avoid:

Tapered and trouser cut pants

Loose fitting tops and cardigans

Wide stripes

Ruffles and pleats

Baggy jackets

Tight T-shirts, high necks, and turtlenecks

Chunky earrings and necklaces

Round toe shoe, heavy boots, and flats

I ultimately decided to try and do something about my body. I started Beachbody nutrition which focuses on altering the way you eat and look at food. Unfortunately, because of my persistent depression and anxiety, I had to put the Beachbody program on the back burner for now until my mood and medications are more stable.

Now I am enrolled in Noom. I started at the beginning of the year and though things are going slower than I’d like (or planned), I have lost a little over 10 lbs. and have learned a great deal about the psychology behind weight loss.

References:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.stylecraze.com/articles/different-body-shapes-of-women/%3famp=

https://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/shape-guides/body-shapes-overview.php

Body Types

Body Shapes