Pregnancy & Body Image

You’re suppose to feel this overwhelming sense of joy when you’re pregnant. And anything else would just be unusual.

Well, it’s not. Your body goes through A LOT of changes in only 9 months. And even though you might be the only one knowing it for the first months, you’ll rapidly start to grow and show. And you can’t make your body stop getting bigger. You can exercise and eat as healthy as one only can with daily cravings, but in the end, you’ll get big.

You’ll hear comments like; “You’ve gotten so big. Are you sure there aren’t two in there”. It’s frustrating cause it’s like no one knows what you’re actually going through. And who knows if you’ll ever get back to the size you were before. The invisible pressure is definitely there.

Even as this is my second child I’m much bigger than what I was with my first. I keep telling myself that I’ll get back to my ‘normal’ self and this in it self is a miracle. But as much as it is a miracle, and I am truly grateful to be a mother again, I can’t help to feel like I’m not myself.

I don’t feel sexy in my body, I don’t feel as confident. Most of the time I feel bloated and like I have to pee every hour. I’ll never have my abs back to normal and my bellybutton will most likely not go back to it’s normal self. And I feel guilty for feeling this way. Because my body is getting bigger and I don’t like looking at myself in the mirror, even though I’m creating a human being inside of me.

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Elizabeth

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Don’t lose your self respect

self-respect
noun | self-re·spect | self-ri-ˈspekt |
a proper respect for oneself as a human being

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Don’t dress up to seek the admiration of other people.
The glances and looks or even stares.
Do you really want this?
You say you want respect but how can you get it,
when all you do is showing your beauty to the outside world for recognition.
You say you want to fall in love with your mind but you only display our body.

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Elizabeth

The weight of the world on my shoulders

I’m already on my second cup of coffee which I usually never drink but today it’s absolutely nesaccary. With only 8 hours of interrupted sleep and a nap where I couldn’t even snooze off for two minutes, it’s safe to say I’m very tired. My body is so stiff and I feel this heavy weight on my shoulders. Probably a mix of stress, too little sleep and in much need of a long massage.

Having a 7 month baby is so much more work then what it was four months ago. I love every minute spent with my son, but I feel like I’m running on my last battery here. When and how I will be able to recharge will only be shown in the future. For now I wanted to share my outfit pictures I took the other day.

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Abaya: Norwegen Designer // Pants: Bik Bok // Top: Vero Moda // Hijab: Modanisa // Shoes: Store in Miami

Elizabeth

Health benefits during Ramadan

Heath benefits of fasting during Ramadan:

1. Detoxes & revitalizes the body
2. Blood sugar and blood pressure drops
3. White blood cells become more active
4. Organs start their repair process
5. Getting better concentration
6. The body repairs any damaged cells
7. Liver, kidney and skin are detoxing
8. Last 10 days you get more energy, improved concentration and memory

Elizabeth

Ramadan

The 9th month of the lunar calendar is the month of Ramadan.
The month where the Quran was revealed in year 610.
The month where the doors of heaven are open and the doors of hell are closed.

"Recite in the name of your Lord who created - 
created man from a clinging substance.
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous - 
Who taught by the pen -
taught men which he knew not".
(Quran 96:1-5)

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Make the most of this month and have a blessed Ramadan!

Elizabeth

One week later

I had to take a minute and regather my strength. I don’t know what happened but a week ago on Friday my body said stop. I had to take a breather and just be. I wasn’t able to do much that day other than to look after myself. I had a headache and felt nauseated throughout the entire day. Luckily with a lot of resting and sleep I was feeling like myself again the next day.

Now a week later, the trees are getting greener and my baby is getting older. I’ve spent most of my days inside because the heat is too real right now. I should be thankful for the wonderful weather we have received but a little cold breeze wouldn’t hurt. I’ve had family over, started reading a new book and figuring out how I can expand my growth on social media. I would love for this blog to be more than just a hobby. But I know I have to give a 110% and unfortunately I don’t have the dedication right now. I guess I don’t know how to managed my time yet, but I’ll get there, hopefully.

Elizabeth

A woman in hijab

You may think I’m oppressed by the way you stare at me. That I’m not free to make my own decision. Maybe you think I’m forced to cover up my beauty.
I guess it bothers you that I choose what to show and withhold from the world. But the truth is that a veil like the hijab represents so much more then what you see.
We don’t lie or steal, drink or smoke. We think before we talk and watch our tongue.
We choose to wear it, to be among the best of people.
I hope one day you can see past my veil and see who I truly am. Because my freedom is not determined whether I show my hair or flaunt my body. And remember that the hijab represents so much more than a cover to your hair.

Elizabeth

Today’s workout

When you start your morning at 7 o’clock and already had your first workout before 10 o’clock you deserve a break, maybe even a mid-day nap. But before I head of to my own bed I wanted to share today’s workout with you. Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated but when you finally get that motivation grab on thigh and hold on to it.

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Start with a quick warm up consisting 3 exercises that you do for 1 minute x 3 sets. Continue on with 12 repetitions x 3 sets with 5 kg weighs doing walking lunges, squats and donkey kicks. I also did standing leg lifts and used a thigh toner for my inner thighs.

Finish your workout with a stretch and you’re done. Focus on one body group for each session and find out how many repetitions you’re comfortable doing. Do not overload yourself with too many exercises, rather choose a handful and do those perfectly.

Elizabeth

First autumn day

I’ve been looking at this blank space for a while now. It’s been empty the last couple of weeks – and it’s been empty in my head too. I don’t know how to fill this space. I don’t know how to start even though I’m aching to write again. I want to be an inspiration, share my thoughts and mind with you again.

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It’s September 1st, summer is officially over, even the weather can agree on that. It’s windy, it’s cold and rainy. What I have learned is that time is always moving. We cannot stop it even though we want to capture a moment and stay in it. That is why you have to live in the moment. Don’t let it pass you, don’t feel the need to document or capture every other second on a picture. Sometimes it’s better to live and let go.

Elizabeth

Post workout

Finally finished my workout and I’m hopping into the shower in a minute. But I just have to say that the beginning of this workout I thought I was going to die. A total cardio blast killed me but I managed to catch my breath and finished even though I had to pause and take it slower. I just had a wake up call that my body wasn’t coping as well as before, but it’s better to go slow and finish then to give up.

Today’s equipment..

Elizabeth