Pudgy Motherhood

Recently I read a news article that reminded me of what true motherhood is all about. Now, I don't read the popular women's magazines nor do I watch television; however, apparently Jillian Michaels seems to be a very popular professional body trainer these days. It seems that a lot of women look up to her so I thought I would give my thoughts about a statement she recently made.

In a recent magazine article, Jillian Michaels said that she has no plans to get pregnant or deliver a baby because doing so would "mar" her body and cause her to lose her figure. Currently, she says she is involved in a program where she "stays with a different family each week with the aim of getting to the bottom of each person’s issues and helping them make life-altering changes to better their health and happiness." (Please note the quote marks around this last statement because they are not my words.)

When I read about her current mission of staying with families,
I thought of a place where I would like her to stay and a family I would like her to meet. If anyone out there personally knows Jillian, please let her know that she is welcome to stop by and help us work out some of our "issues." No doubt, she would think we have a lot of issues! I have no doubt also that when it comes to perfect body figures, we wouldn't even be in the same competition since I have delivered ten babies and been pregnant with twelve. However, when it comes to her helping us to "make life-altering changes to better their health and happiness" I believe I would have a few lessons to teach her myself.

Perhaps she hasn't yet learned that seeing an expectant mother waddle around with an obviously unshapely body is one of the most beautiful sights that one can ever see. If you don't believe me, ask the man who waited for years for his wife to conceive and she finally did.

Perhaps she hasn't yet learned that the sight of a one month postpartum woman with a big bulge around her middle is one that will bring a smile to the face of men who see her coming. If you don't believe me, aske the grandfathers who are arguing over who gets to hold the baby first.

Perhaps she hasn't yet learned that when a woman with various bumps, bulges, scars, and sagging features walks in and the room fills with "Welcome Home!" that there are better things than having a perfect body at 36 years old. If you don't believe me, ask the woman who is coming home to her family after a difficult labor and delivery.

Apparently one thing that she hasn't learned yet is that in just a few years, the best of age defying techinques and treatments will be rendered fairly useless on her formerly ideal body. Age will take its toll and her body will also begin to tell its story.

In the mean time, those of us who chose the scars and bulges will have something to show for it. After all, treasured family portraits aren't made with models surrounded by men. Treasured family portraits are made of slightly pudgy, but smiling grandmothers surrounded by children and grandchildren with just a few cookie crumbs and smeared peanut butter in the background. Perhaps the words of my favorite five year old would clarify things a little. Snuggling up to my "baby-marred" body, he said, "You are so beautiful."

Now as for Jillian, no doubt I haven't heard those words from as many people as she has, but I guarantee you that she doesn't have anything over on me. As a matter of fact, is she truly wants to visit families and talk about "issues" that affect "health and happiness" I can recommend a good place to start.

Happy Mother's Day to all the slightly pudgy, saggy mothers out there! Kiss those babies and don't look in the mirror too often and I think those "issues" will just go away.