This Mom’s Powerful Before-And-After Photos Will Change The Way You Look At Your Body
In a world where everybody seems to be striving to portray themselves in the most Instagram-worthy way possible, Laura Mazza decided to do the opposite and show the world how things really are by posting these honest before-and-after childbirth pictures on Facebook.
“On the left – This was my body before kids,” wrote the Melbourne-based blogger and mom of two on Facebook. “No stretch marks. A belly button that was high. A flat stomach. On the right is me now. People don’t want to see this photo. It’s not pleasing to the eye anymore. It’s not a body to be admired. But you know what? I have achieved more with this body, then I have with my old body. I’ve lived more, I’ve given more, I’ve enjoyed more. I’ve made life. This body, THIS body should be celebrated and admired. No matter what size you are, a size 6 or size 60. You deserve to celebrate it.” Well said Laura!
More info: themumontherun.com | Facebook
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Share on FacebookWhile "you deserve to celebrate it" is absolutely true and "love myself" is the key here, "THIS body should be celebrated and admired" hints to the underlying problem: soecietal norms and expectations built around questionable ideals. We are told and educated what to admire, what to ignore, and what to disrespect. The approach should rather be more empathy when judging others, and much more optimism when judging yourself. The very same approach makes it hard for me to understand why you would refrain from healthy food for body ideals...
What bothers me is on "fat positive" posts, people go out of their way to degrade skinny people... which to me defeats the entire point.
Load More Replies...I won't pretend who knows what, I see why her previous body is considered as better looking, and if I could choose, I too would prefer that body over the "new" one. Having said that, I think she's still beautiful. Surely she got bigger, but she is beautiful either way. Yes, I mean visually.
Thank you for this honest post. It made me rethink my own attitude towards my body!
First, I think she's beautiful in both pictures. She's not overweight and with a good nutrition (not diet) she would get back to be in shape—because it's mentally and phisically healthy to be in shape, not because it's aesthetically pleasing to the eye. That said. 18 months ago I had a baby. I kept eating healthy and going to my dance classes, and I went back to my flat stomach and protruding bones. Again, not because it's beautiful or to impress people, but because it's part of the healthy lifestyle I want to teach my children. Now I'm pregnant again, 24 weeks, and my body is again undergoing a transformation that will surely leave its signs. But I will go back to my flat stomach and protruding bones, not because I want more likes on Instagram or because I want people to like me and my body. But because a healthy body is the reflection of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy mind, and this is for me the ultimate sign of love and respect for the self.
A little disturbed that you think a flat stomach and protruding bones are a sign of a healthy body. Apart from flat stomachs not being natural, different bodies can be different shapes and still be healthy. Your healthy is not everyone's healthy.
Load More Replies...You don't celebrate obesity. You treat it. Size 60 is unhealthy no matter how accepting you are of it.
Maybe so, but self hate and the feeling that you are not deserving tends to lead to eating packets of biscuits and crying, not exercise and vegetables. This seems hard for people to understand, somehow.
Load More Replies...New and interesting concept, the right is a body with history, a body that lived, a body with something to tell thats not only diets and gym routines. I never thought about that.
The only thing I hate about articles like these is that they create an enemy that doesn't necessarily exist... It uses phrases like 'people' and 'they' didn't find it attractive... Who are 'people' and 'they'?? This is nothing, no one.. No real, tangible human being to place the blame on.. So now our enemy is software; we can't even identify it let alone defeat it. I'm a personal trainer (6 years) . I have conversations like these all the time... My (albeit incredibly small sample size) shows a huge shift towards those who aren't 'fat-shaming narcissists'... Now we have a primal trait in our instincts that believes that the rest of society feels the way we feel... So maybe if someone has convinced themselves that the whole world is jam-packed with fat-shamers it's actually because they are fat shamers themselves... They just haven't rustled up the willpower to drag themselves down to that unhealthy weight. Just cut that mean minority out of your life... Size 6 or 60
Nathan, no offense but if you haven't seen the incredible degree to which women are routinely fat shamed and otherwise scrutinized and judged for the tiniest physical flaw, it's because you're a man and you're not paying any attention. (This isn't a comment against men. My husband is fully aware of the issue himself.) We use general terms like "they" and "people," because if we had to list each individual fat shamer we've encountered, we'd be here for a very long time. Try paying attention next time you encounter a publicly posted photo of any woman who is over size 6 or who has any sign of body fat. You will see fat shamers. They're in the comments here! I've even seen people fat-shaming freaking supermodels who dare to be something other than rail-thin.
Load More Replies...No matter what kind of body u have u shouldn't rely on others admiring your body to feel good about yourself thats not mentally healthy
So yea right on its about your own admiration
Load More Replies...I think you are f*****g hot in the second picture just look at the legs and boobs
I think she looks better and more healthy on the "after" photo to be honest. She is a beautiful woman now :)
I prefer her new body. She looks like a real woman, not an untried and inexperienced one. Ans she looks healthy, too. Not fat. I'm currently dieting off 20 kg I gained over the past few years. And guess what - I'm aiming for a body like hers. In fact, I've downloaded her photo for my fridge door. ;>)
Why do people create big dramatic emotional story over everyday struggle that I bet most new moms have, and I guess I will have it to one day. I know I'm gonna be lapidated now, but really, why is this needed to be an article?
If the only people who could share their story were those with unique experiences.. the internet would be a wasteland. And, by the way... this story is not dramatic. It's moderately emtotional, more reflexive than anything else.
Load More Replies...I gave birth and keep the baby fat. It has been 6 years from now and I was used to be fat. Now it has change since I realize it was not my really me. I started exercising for health. I hope to be strong no thin but a real me.
As a guy, my perspective regarding the "after" picture (let's call it the "now" picture) is yum! I think you look beautiful and sexy. Your husband is a lucky guy...
Ew. Dude that's not sexy. She was sexy before. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder lol
Load More Replies...I actually find her prettier now, not everyone prefers the skinny ones. She looks healthy and amazing now.
It's good some people are chubby chasers. If there weren't any, there'd be nobody for the fat girls lol
Load More Replies...BE respect people decisions all are terms are stated agreed. All separations are hard and small gain on is normal. When her outside beauty will matched her inner.
Ok so 20 chicken nuggets is fat. Serving size is 4 or 5. All the cake and processed sugar, no good at all. Being fat with all that c**p is not healthy and it obviously shows. That is not attractive. Love doesn't make you fat, it makes you lazy and complacent which is what really makes you fat. You feel you have nobody to impress anymore since you're stuck with one guy and you let yourself go. This is the reality whether you like it or not. My girlfriend works out every morning work and looks amazing. I work out after work. Together 8 years and we both try to look good for each other. How you look on the outside is a reflection of what you put on the inside and how well you take care of yourself. Fat = lazy and unattractive. Nobody wakes up and says, I'd love to find myself a fat mate and become a fat lazy a*s myself. If you do, you need to set better goals for yourself because no matter how many times you tell yourself or others, you don't love yourself if you don't care how you look.
I like the way you look in the right hand picture, fully natural and beautiful!
You are incredible beautiful currently. And not fat. Just thicker. However we need to be careful for the ones who arent. Idk what to say anymore its so sad and shocking that we think being a size 60 should be celebrated. I work with hundreds of women suffering mental trauma and physical damages from obesity. Daughters losing their mothers because their mom chooses food over them. Young women who are overcome with ocd and depression becAuse no matter how hard they try they just cant accept this body when they know they deserve a healthy one. Its so sad what we are doing as a country please. My next goal is to bring these problems to light and show every "love yourself at size 60" what its like inside these homes. No do not celebrate and love a size 60. Do not accept morbid obesity. and please as a beautiful not obese woman do not tell women scared to touch their bodies in the showers that they need to love their body. Help them change it. Wish u all the best
Her before body is ho-hum. Her now body is smoking hot. I love curves, always have, always will. Beauty is a matter of perspective I suppose.
You are just upset that nobody admires your body anymore whereas nobody should care, nor for a beautiful body, nor for a fat body.
Hi Jen, first off thanks for keeping it civil despite being contrary.. I must admit though a little offense taken. It's unfortunate that you believe I'm incapable of judging these situations correctly simply because of my gender.. Obviously I know there are people like that.. There's also people who believe in bigfoot. It would be ridiculous to suggest they don't exist, I'm just saying what we don't need is articles like these that cement in this false idea that they are the norm... I'm on board with you; these people exist, I see they're in the comments here also. They are cruel human beings whose behaviour doesn't belong in our modern society... But have you stopped to think about the positive comments here? Or even still the hundreds and thousands of people who read this article and didn't comment at all? Those cruel people commenting; they do not represent an accurate cross-section of society and to believe that everyone feels the same because of them is called Hasty Generalisation
No need to expose your body. It seems that you regret the first photo. It's sad because to feel Better you show your body to the world
If nobody posted photos of imperfect bodies, then everyone might get the impression that all the Photoshopped, airbrushed, perfectly fit bodies you see in the media are "normal" and everyone else is just terrible. Oh wait - that's what's happening! The fact is, that woman is significantly more attractive than average in the "after" picture. Anyone who doesn't get that needs to see more photos like this so they can adjust their expectations to a reasonable level. As in, the vast majority of women do not look like women in magazines. Even the women in magazines don't look like that themselves! (Check out actress before and after Photoshop and prepare for a shock.)
Load More Replies...The best picture is the last one... on the top... before/after... you hide your true beauty: your face... if you're happy with yourself amd feel healthy... then f it what society thinks...
The truth is that even when you though you look healthier and beautiful you were already on your way to what you look like today, because your body does not show traces of Gym training , yes you were flat but at the same time flaby, no muscle's defined , your abds were not that strong and that's why you look the other way today. After giving birth nothing is the same anymore and with the years passing by it gets even worse . So... relax and make peace with yourself...
Looking at the before picture there is no wonder you had kids, you would have had a house full if I had found you first, wink wink, you were a very bonny lass, and still are if you would care to just lose the odd pound here and there.
I personally do, yes. After is a body that has a true, whole person residing in it. Before is a body that is afraid to not be authentic.
Load More Replies...While "you deserve to celebrate it" is absolutely true and "love myself" is the key here, "THIS body should be celebrated and admired" hints to the underlying problem: soecietal norms and expectations built around questionable ideals. We are told and educated what to admire, what to ignore, and what to disrespect. The approach should rather be more empathy when judging others, and much more optimism when judging yourself. The very same approach makes it hard for me to understand why you would refrain from healthy food for body ideals...
What bothers me is on "fat positive" posts, people go out of their way to degrade skinny people... which to me defeats the entire point.
Load More Replies...I won't pretend who knows what, I see why her previous body is considered as better looking, and if I could choose, I too would prefer that body over the "new" one. Having said that, I think she's still beautiful. Surely she got bigger, but she is beautiful either way. Yes, I mean visually.
Thank you for this honest post. It made me rethink my own attitude towards my body!
First, I think she's beautiful in both pictures. She's not overweight and with a good nutrition (not diet) she would get back to be in shape—because it's mentally and phisically healthy to be in shape, not because it's aesthetically pleasing to the eye. That said. 18 months ago I had a baby. I kept eating healthy and going to my dance classes, and I went back to my flat stomach and protruding bones. Again, not because it's beautiful or to impress people, but because it's part of the healthy lifestyle I want to teach my children. Now I'm pregnant again, 24 weeks, and my body is again undergoing a transformation that will surely leave its signs. But I will go back to my flat stomach and protruding bones, not because I want more likes on Instagram or because I want people to like me and my body. But because a healthy body is the reflection of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy mind, and this is for me the ultimate sign of love and respect for the self.
A little disturbed that you think a flat stomach and protruding bones are a sign of a healthy body. Apart from flat stomachs not being natural, different bodies can be different shapes and still be healthy. Your healthy is not everyone's healthy.
Load More Replies...You don't celebrate obesity. You treat it. Size 60 is unhealthy no matter how accepting you are of it.
Maybe so, but self hate and the feeling that you are not deserving tends to lead to eating packets of biscuits and crying, not exercise and vegetables. This seems hard for people to understand, somehow.
Load More Replies...New and interesting concept, the right is a body with history, a body that lived, a body with something to tell thats not only diets and gym routines. I never thought about that.
The only thing I hate about articles like these is that they create an enemy that doesn't necessarily exist... It uses phrases like 'people' and 'they' didn't find it attractive... Who are 'people' and 'they'?? This is nothing, no one.. No real, tangible human being to place the blame on.. So now our enemy is software; we can't even identify it let alone defeat it. I'm a personal trainer (6 years) . I have conversations like these all the time... My (albeit incredibly small sample size) shows a huge shift towards those who aren't 'fat-shaming narcissists'... Now we have a primal trait in our instincts that believes that the rest of society feels the way we feel... So maybe if someone has convinced themselves that the whole world is jam-packed with fat-shamers it's actually because they are fat shamers themselves... They just haven't rustled up the willpower to drag themselves down to that unhealthy weight. Just cut that mean minority out of your life... Size 6 or 60
Nathan, no offense but if you haven't seen the incredible degree to which women are routinely fat shamed and otherwise scrutinized and judged for the tiniest physical flaw, it's because you're a man and you're not paying any attention. (This isn't a comment against men. My husband is fully aware of the issue himself.) We use general terms like "they" and "people," because if we had to list each individual fat shamer we've encountered, we'd be here for a very long time. Try paying attention next time you encounter a publicly posted photo of any woman who is over size 6 or who has any sign of body fat. You will see fat shamers. They're in the comments here! I've even seen people fat-shaming freaking supermodels who dare to be something other than rail-thin.
Load More Replies...No matter what kind of body u have u shouldn't rely on others admiring your body to feel good about yourself thats not mentally healthy
So yea right on its about your own admiration
Load More Replies...I think you are f*****g hot in the second picture just look at the legs and boobs
I think she looks better and more healthy on the "after" photo to be honest. She is a beautiful woman now :)
I prefer her new body. She looks like a real woman, not an untried and inexperienced one. Ans she looks healthy, too. Not fat. I'm currently dieting off 20 kg I gained over the past few years. And guess what - I'm aiming for a body like hers. In fact, I've downloaded her photo for my fridge door. ;>)
Why do people create big dramatic emotional story over everyday struggle that I bet most new moms have, and I guess I will have it to one day. I know I'm gonna be lapidated now, but really, why is this needed to be an article?
If the only people who could share their story were those with unique experiences.. the internet would be a wasteland. And, by the way... this story is not dramatic. It's moderately emtotional, more reflexive than anything else.
Load More Replies...I gave birth and keep the baby fat. It has been 6 years from now and I was used to be fat. Now it has change since I realize it was not my really me. I started exercising for health. I hope to be strong no thin but a real me.
As a guy, my perspective regarding the "after" picture (let's call it the "now" picture) is yum! I think you look beautiful and sexy. Your husband is a lucky guy...
Ew. Dude that's not sexy. She was sexy before. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder lol
Load More Replies...I actually find her prettier now, not everyone prefers the skinny ones. She looks healthy and amazing now.
It's good some people are chubby chasers. If there weren't any, there'd be nobody for the fat girls lol
Load More Replies...BE respect people decisions all are terms are stated agreed. All separations are hard and small gain on is normal. When her outside beauty will matched her inner.
Ok so 20 chicken nuggets is fat. Serving size is 4 or 5. All the cake and processed sugar, no good at all. Being fat with all that c**p is not healthy and it obviously shows. That is not attractive. Love doesn't make you fat, it makes you lazy and complacent which is what really makes you fat. You feel you have nobody to impress anymore since you're stuck with one guy and you let yourself go. This is the reality whether you like it or not. My girlfriend works out every morning work and looks amazing. I work out after work. Together 8 years and we both try to look good for each other. How you look on the outside is a reflection of what you put on the inside and how well you take care of yourself. Fat = lazy and unattractive. Nobody wakes up and says, I'd love to find myself a fat mate and become a fat lazy a*s myself. If you do, you need to set better goals for yourself because no matter how many times you tell yourself or others, you don't love yourself if you don't care how you look.
I like the way you look in the right hand picture, fully natural and beautiful!
You are incredible beautiful currently. And not fat. Just thicker. However we need to be careful for the ones who arent. Idk what to say anymore its so sad and shocking that we think being a size 60 should be celebrated. I work with hundreds of women suffering mental trauma and physical damages from obesity. Daughters losing their mothers because their mom chooses food over them. Young women who are overcome with ocd and depression becAuse no matter how hard they try they just cant accept this body when they know they deserve a healthy one. Its so sad what we are doing as a country please. My next goal is to bring these problems to light and show every "love yourself at size 60" what its like inside these homes. No do not celebrate and love a size 60. Do not accept morbid obesity. and please as a beautiful not obese woman do not tell women scared to touch their bodies in the showers that they need to love their body. Help them change it. Wish u all the best
Her before body is ho-hum. Her now body is smoking hot. I love curves, always have, always will. Beauty is a matter of perspective I suppose.
You are just upset that nobody admires your body anymore whereas nobody should care, nor for a beautiful body, nor for a fat body.
Hi Jen, first off thanks for keeping it civil despite being contrary.. I must admit though a little offense taken. It's unfortunate that you believe I'm incapable of judging these situations correctly simply because of my gender.. Obviously I know there are people like that.. There's also people who believe in bigfoot. It would be ridiculous to suggest they don't exist, I'm just saying what we don't need is articles like these that cement in this false idea that they are the norm... I'm on board with you; these people exist, I see they're in the comments here also. They are cruel human beings whose behaviour doesn't belong in our modern society... But have you stopped to think about the positive comments here? Or even still the hundreds and thousands of people who read this article and didn't comment at all? Those cruel people commenting; they do not represent an accurate cross-section of society and to believe that everyone feels the same because of them is called Hasty Generalisation
No need to expose your body. It seems that you regret the first photo. It's sad because to feel Better you show your body to the world
If nobody posted photos of imperfect bodies, then everyone might get the impression that all the Photoshopped, airbrushed, perfectly fit bodies you see in the media are "normal" and everyone else is just terrible. Oh wait - that's what's happening! The fact is, that woman is significantly more attractive than average in the "after" picture. Anyone who doesn't get that needs to see more photos like this so they can adjust their expectations to a reasonable level. As in, the vast majority of women do not look like women in magazines. Even the women in magazines don't look like that themselves! (Check out actress before and after Photoshop and prepare for a shock.)
Load More Replies...The best picture is the last one... on the top... before/after... you hide your true beauty: your face... if you're happy with yourself amd feel healthy... then f it what society thinks...
The truth is that even when you though you look healthier and beautiful you were already on your way to what you look like today, because your body does not show traces of Gym training , yes you were flat but at the same time flaby, no muscle's defined , your abds were not that strong and that's why you look the other way today. After giving birth nothing is the same anymore and with the years passing by it gets even worse . So... relax and make peace with yourself...
Looking at the before picture there is no wonder you had kids, you would have had a house full if I had found you first, wink wink, you were a very bonny lass, and still are if you would care to just lose the odd pound here and there.
I personally do, yes. After is a body that has a true, whole person residing in it. Before is a body that is afraid to not be authentic.
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