I had the great fortune of watching the video BirthMarkings this morning. It brought on many thoughts for me. Some related to my after-kids body, and some related to diabetes.
I realized that I often comment about the changes that resulted from my being pregnant and having kids. I call the blob that sits over the c-section scar “the shelf.” I poke fun at my distorted belly button that got all stretched out and then ended up kind of weird-looking. But the truth is, I wouldn’t trade any of it for my amazing, beautiful, brilliant kids. And I wish they had never heard me joke or complain about it. And I won’t do it going forward.
As far as diabetes, there are countless body image topics. Overuse of insulin injection (and pump infusion set) sites can cause scarring and lumps. (This is why we rotate sites.) In some cases, atrophy causes indentations. Many people with diabetes deal with overweight and all the self-image concerns that go along with it.
I think the most important thing for those of us who manage diabetes each day, is to love ourselves and find a positive place for all of it. Rather than focusing on what we don’t like about our bodies, we can work on accepting our bodies and taking care of our bodies. Maybe they won’t ever look like a super model, but we can exercise because it helps manage blood glucose, and because it protects our hearts, and gives us energy and clears our heads.
We can be motivated by spending time with loved ones (maybe those babies whose amazing bodies changed our own) or by something else completely. Regardless, we don’t have to worry about what anyone else is thinking or seeing. Not easy, but true.