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Monday, March 3, 2014

Is That a Baby Bump? My Plea To You...

"Is that a baby bump?"

This is the question I got asked last week from a client I was training at the gym.

No, I am not pregnant.

So, why would this woman, who has only met me two other times, ask me if I am pregnant?

That is the question I am asking you, my lovely readers.

When I heard this question come out of her mouth, I thought, "Did she really say that?" It seemed surreal. Sure, I have heard of other people asking other non-pregnant women this question. But, me? No.


I am a mother of three children. I am still currently breastfeeding my youngest, who is 17 months old. I don't count each calorie that goes into my mouth. I eat chocolate every day. Maybe I have gained a pound or two during this horrendously long, agonizing winter. I really don't know, because I am not a slave to my scale anymore. Is this why someone thinks I look pregnant again?

Years ago, this kind of question would have killed me. Years ago, I was a slave to my scale. Years ago, I was obsessed with having the perfect body. But, since being a mother and maturing as a woman, I was feeling pretty darn good about making strides in accepting my flaws and giving my body a break for having a few curves.

And then bam! Out of nowhere I got this question.

Forget all progress. I feel like I have backslid all the way to teenage years and insecurities all over again. How can one little question send me so far over the edge? I didn't plan on writing a blog post about one silly little question, but after freaking out about it to my parents, my dad said, "Blog about it." After hearing a few really good points from him, (You're so smart, Dad!) I realized that maybe I did need to vent about this online to thousands of other people who might be feeling the same way.


What I can't get past in my head is why would any woman ask another woman if she is pregnant unless it is BLATANTLY obvious?

Sure, maybe I wasn't having a super skinny day. I felt a little bloated and not my very best. But am I not allowed to have a fat day? I know I am a personal trainer, but does that mean that I have to look like a supermodel who has never had a baby?

Now, I know that the client who asked me this question didn't mean to hurt me or cause me to go into such a conniption as this. But, that is what happened. After thinking about this way too many hours, I have come up with a theory as to why this question ever gets asked of unsuspecting women everywhere.

Think Mean Girls.

Unfortunately, I think there are a few really ugly reasons behind this question. And I am not pointing fingers here either, because I am guilty of all the things I am about to describe.

While some of you may argue that this woman was just being curious, just trying to make conversation, just being hopeful of another little baby on its way, I disagree. Sadly, I think there is too much jealousy, too much cattiness, too much competitiveness, and just too much meanness between women these days.

At the heart of this little question is an accusation that I look fat/abnormal/chunky. We think these things of other women to make ourselves feel better about our own insecurities. Because face it - we are all insecure. Whether you are the one asking/thinking the question or receiving the verbal slap in the face, we are all feeling insecure. Instead of encouraging and loving each other, what do we do? We ask questions that hurt. We compare to make ourselves feel better. We work harder to look better than the girl next to us in class. We talk about this or that person's eensy weensy tiny flaw to make our big flaws seem smaller.

And that is just not cool.

So, here is my plea to ALL of you (and me)!

  • Instead of looking for ways to put others down, let's look for ways to encourage them. 
  • Instead of working hard to look better than so and so, let's work hard with that person to both feel our best.
  • Instead of leafing through the latest magazine thinking about who looks fat in what dress, let's go and teach our daughters that they are wonderfully and beautifully made, miracles of God.


And, unless you see a baby foot imprint sticking out of another woman's tummy, do NOT ask her if she is pregnant. Be kind rather than sorry.

Look for Part 2 of this post - Is That a Baby Bump - How To Deal? coming tomorrow!

9 comments:

  1. It pains me to hear this as no woman deserves to feel insecure about herself.....life is already hard enough! On a lighter note, Cara, you're the hottest non-pregnant, pregnant-loooing chic I know! LOL Chin up lady, pity is the answer for the giver of such a remark! You're amazing!

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    1. You rock, Pam! Thank you for the encouragement and compliments! You made me laugh!

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  2. Ugh! How horrible. That is pathetic that someone would ask you that, and I agree that the only real answer would be jealousy. It's kind of sad and pathetic that she had to bring you down just to lift herself up! I definitely understand why this would get under your skin, I think ANY woman would feel that way! You are a beautiful, fit Mama, don't let anyone get you down! Your an inspiration, I hope to look like you after having kids! Seriously!! :)

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    1. Thanks for the compliments, Jessica! That really boosts my confidence back up. You are too sweet! :-)

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  3. Omg! You look awesome! The reason I read this was because, I get asked this ALL. THE. TIME. It hurts my feelings, it makes me really sad about the way I carry fat, it really just makes me feel horrible about my otherwise fab body. I carry fat in my tummy. Always have. I did at size 3 and do now at a 10. My legs are skinny, my butt is awesome, my boobs are hot. My tummy sticks out because that's where I carry ALL my fat. I have bad posture, I choose to eat what I want, oh well. People at church ask, random people in the store, preschool parents. No one should ever ask if someone is pregnant! Never! Besides the fact that they may just have a pudgy belly, they may have just had a baby, they may have had a stillborn, they may have had a miscarriage, they might have a tumor for gods sake! It's just rude! I don't ask if you have hemrioids or how bad your poop stinks! My body, my business!

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    1. My heart is with you! I agree wholeheartedly, and I hope this post helps you in some small way to deal. Make sure to also check out my "How To Deal" post - http://yourworldnatural.blogspot.com/2014/03/is-that-baby-bump-part-2-how-to-deal.html

      :-) Thanks for commenting, because I know so many other women feel exactly the same way!

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  4. This is such a good reminder - we ALL have areas of insecurity and need encouragement. How good to allow ourselves to be used of God to build up someone rather than to tear down - even unintentionally.

    After the birth of one of my babies, I still had some baby fat in the stomach area - not a lot, but enough to discourage me - and I wasn't allowed to work on it due to a prolapsed uterus issue. One day, my husband took our family out to eat(a special and rare treat) and at the restaurant, a lady loudly and cheerfully exclaimed over all of our darling children........then she looked at me and loudly said, "Are you pregnant?" I said no and she then loudly went on (in this crowded restaurant), "Oh, just chubby, huh?" Well, than ruined the special time out for me, though I tried to hide it for my family's sake.....but agonized over that for a long time. I tried to figure out why she would "pick on me", but never figured it out and just forgave her and moved on. It was humbling, to be sure..........and I do not ask ANYone if they are pregnant - unless it looks like they should be delivering THAT day and are dropping hints about being pregnant-like a shirt that says "BABY in here!" :) Thank you for the post. :) Gentle Joy

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    1. This breaks my heart! This post is dedicated to you! Thank you for sharing your story with us, so others can learn from what a great example you are as a mother and woman and what NOT to do as a fellow woman.

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  5. I would never ask another woman if she was pregnant. I have always thought that is very rude and it is a shame that she made you upset. I am sure you look fantastic and this woman really was not thinking right that day to ask you this question. I was always taught if you can't give a nice compliment to someone, then don't say anything! Don't let this bother you at all.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Your thoughts and tips are what make this blog shine!