I have been married for almost a year, and was with my husband for a looong time dating and engaged before that. We started dating while I was in high school still and have been together through a lot. I have had an eating disorder for 12 years now, (but have now been in recovery almost a year!). My body has changed, A LOT since we started dating. I know this is normal, and obviously our bodies change as we get older, but it is hard for me to know that my body was so different when we first started dating.
I know other people may not struggle with the eating disorder aspect, but I am wondering how all of you deal with changes in appearance, of either yourself or your husband, over the years. My husband is the most genuine, kind, supportive man I have ever met, and he loves me through it all, but I almost feel guilty that I am not the same size anymore.
Though my recovery I had to do a lot of weight restoration, which makes you gain weight pretty rapidly, and I now have quite a few stretch marks and am discovering that I am actually have some curves.
I know this may seem odd, and I hope I don't offend anyone, but I hope to see how all of you handle changes in your own appearance, and what you do to combat negative self thought and body image issues. Thanks all
Re: Body image issues
Always love yourself I know it's hard I feel the same way, I went from a size
4/5 to a 13 after my son was born. I had alot of issues and gained massive amounts of weight. I have finally got down to a size 8. I'm feeling much better but stretch marks are an issue, my husband & I talk about how I feel and it really helps. He's so wonderful & always tells me how perfect I am. He said ppl change they grow but it doesn't matter ur my lady & ur beautiful inside & out. I had a bad problem & that's how I was so skinny before my son. With my recovery then my son it was hard to except but I worked hard and my husband helps me we work together and juice together it's great! I feel better every day and feel prettier each day my husband kisses me & holds me. Stay positive & it will wrk out. Remember ur husband stayed with u threw everything meaning ur heart is what he loves the outside is just a bonus. Show him love and let him feel your heart it will be amazing when u are a team best luck
Make a pregnancy ticker
I have recently developed a body image issue in that I am getting old
I might not be so concerned about it if it weren't for the fact my long-term bf is SIGNIFICANTLY younger than me. Lately, I wonder how we're going to make it on a long-term basis as my body continues to age, and he reaches his prime (really not so true - he's developing a beer gut and starting to lose his hair). My neurotic thoughts were getting the best of me recently when, like a freakin idiot, I decided to say something to him about it.
What he said, and I think this is very likely to be the same for your husband, is that he is not a superficial jerk, and that he loves my body and is attracted to me because he loves me, not just because parts of the body look good (for now). And I have to tell you, my bf can be very superficial sometimes.
And after 12 years of being with your husband, especially as he has supported you through your recovery, I can't imagine at all that he is AT ALL worried about stretch marks, weight gain, etc.
The last thing the bf said to me, and what I want to say to you is this: have some self confidence. It goes a looooong way in making up for anything you perceive as less than attractive about your body. My skin is starting to look ripply to me, and I'm developing wrinkles on my face... But if you look at women in your everyday life, the attractive ones aren't necessarily the *best looking* ones, and vice versa. Self confidence, and loving your body and all its imperfections, can go very far in making you attractive to other people. So I've decided to fake it til I make it, as they say - from now on, I will fake some confidence until it takes root. It's really an issue of mind over matter. Feeling bad about yourself, no matter how attractive you actually might be, is not a turn-on for anyone.