Mom in the Mirror : Body Image, Beauty, and Life After Pregnancy

Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty, and Life after Pregnancy is for every woman who has ever doubted herself or her self-worth after the birth of a child. Because most women spend much of their lives attempting to change their bodies, it's not surprising that the weight gain that comes along with pregnancy (and post-pregnancy), coupled with the challenges of parenting, only exacerbate issues with weight, body image, disordered eating, and self-esteem. Drawing on the wisdom of eating disorders expert Dr. Dena Cabrera, as well as the personal experiences of former anorexic Emily Wierenga, Mom in the Mirror is a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual response to a female generation seeking its true identity in an appearance-based world. With chapters that deal with bruises from the past, misconceptions about pregnancy, life before and after children, marriage and motherhood, spiritual and physical nourishment, relationships with friends and family, and the changing role of a mother as her children age, it is a holistic approach to the age-old questions: Who am I, and why am I here? Comprising personal stories, expert advice, reflection questions, and helpful tools, this book is an inspiring read intended for women everywhere who want to restore a positive body image and to overcome the insecurities that arise when pregnancy is over and child-rearing begins. Foreword Introduction Our bodies, ourselves : the dissatisfied generation A bruised beginning : from girlhood to adolescence From bruised to broken : when adolescent turns adult Before and after : the effects of pregnancy Change, acceptance, and more change : embracing motherhood The sleepless wife : how to balance marriage and motherhood Beyond breast milk (or formula) : the challenges of feeding children Food from heaven : spiritual nourishment for you and your family Like mother, like daughter : your personal legacy Being the mirror : how to inspire beauty in our daughters The anxious mother : using food, exercise, or work as an escape Friendly competition : your relationship with other women As they grow : your changing role as a mom and woman Getting help : hope and a cure Identity crisis : discovering true self-worth Appendix Bibliography Index. Mom in the Mirror provides insight, support, and the information necessary to help overcome damaging lifestyle habits and self-esteem struggles post-pregnancy. Readers will learn how to improve the way they eat, live, feel, and parent, thereby increasing their happiness, confidence, and self-esteem both as mothers and women Provides advice for new mothers dealing with harmful lifestyles, poor health habits, and self-image issues and discusses how to improve diet and personal relationships with others for increased confidence and personal happiness