Post-Pregnancy Body Shapers

In the news there has been a lot of talk about celbs using waist trainers or cinchers to shape their bodies.

 

 

 

Little did I know, similar type devices have been used by new moms to recover after child birth. Girdles are basically compression garments that work by drawing in stretched muscles to provide a 360° support structure around the torso, thus, reducing strain on ligaments and joints in the lower back, pelvis, and buttocks. By reducing any stress in these areas may enhance your body’s ability to return to its pre-pregnancy alignment, shape and to lose the post baby tummy faster.

 

Designed to support the stomach area, these are a little different than the cinchers which are considered dangerous and pose health risks.

 

Yes the hospital will provide you with a girdle, but I decided to buy two on of the most popular ones on the market, in hopes they will be more effective and more comfortable.

 

Here are the two I purchased...guess in a few weeks I'll be rocking one of these! I'll provide a review of them after trying them out.

 

Belly Bandit

 

First was the less expensive option, sold by major retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.

 

 

 

Belly Bandit Original, $49.95

Sold at various department stores

HERE

 

(found new on Ebay for $27 including shipping)

Bellefit Girdle

 

The way more pricey option and only sold on the Bellefit website, although I found on Ebay and Amazon.  I decided to buy this one, as I think it maybe easier to wear under clothing and without riding up. 

 

Bellefit Girdle

$108 (sale)

Sold at www.bellefit.com

 

(Found new on Ebay for $70 with shipping, also saw on Amazon)

 

My Maternity Style

I literally am living in leggings!
4 months

I have been a size 0 (yes zero) since high school. By eating healthy and committing to regular exercise, I was able to maintain a regular healthy weight and a body that I liked. When you are a size zero, you can wear anything and everything looks good. Since becoming pregnant, I had to adjust this mindset and quickly came to the realization that not everything looks good....anymore.

 

I hate maternity clothes. They are not stylish...just plain old UGLY.

I love seeing celbs wearing non-maternity style clothing and still looking fashionable.

 

Molly Sims wearing Ann Taylor Snow Flake Sweater, HERE

 

 

As far as maternity clothing, the ONLY thing I have bought that was actual maternity was a pair of Hudson Jeans.

I bought these off eBay for $75.00 (compared to $225 at A Pea in The Pod).

Other then that it's been regular clothing. I decided early on not to spend a lot of money on a maternity wardrobe and to buy things I could wear not pregnant or that I could easily consign. 

 

 Here is a few purchases made thus far: 

When I began to show, my hubs and I were traveling to NC for a wedding. I felt so super self conscious over the way my stomach looked. The night before the wedding, I wore a classic loose button up shirt with black stretch jeans. I opted for a high waist flare dress for the night of the wedding.

H&M, Black V-neck Blouse, $24.95, HERE

Forever 21, Metallic Tweed Dress,  $29.95, HERE

 

 The following week, my bump became more pronounced....which honestly made me feel better, since it looked like a baby bump and not a beer/fast food diet caused belly. This was also the weekend of my hubs work holiday party, that was of course formal attire. I went for a classic black dress, with a folded fabric design in the midsection.

Forever 21, $24.90, HERE

 

Daily I have been wearing leggings....they are comfortable and warm during this cold Maryland winter. Normally I would never wear leggings, but in this case I don't really have a choice.

 

I have been wearing these with more casual shirts on the weekends and paired with longer tops/blouses for work. I picked up a few inexpensive tops from Marshalls and Nordstrom Rack.

 

Forever 21, T-shirt, $10.90, HERE

Forever 21, Sweater, $22.90, HERE

Francesca's, Paisley Tunic, $20.00 (sale), HERE

 And wearing with some older stuff I already had:

Rory Beca (old) Hot Pink Shirt

 

I tried regular maternity pants, but all are way too big (in the legs, butt, and well everywhere). They looked like MC Hammer Pants! I bought a pair of black leggings from Loft and a few others in black and dark grey from Nordstrom Rack. I also got a loose pair of navy blue from Boston Proper. Hoping these get me by until warmer weather.

 

Other then that, I picked up a few more Under Armour Cami Style Bras. I like these to wear under certain shirts (like loose tanks) or to sleep in.

 

 

Under Armour Seemless Bra, $29.90, similar HERE

This coming weekend, I'm heading to Texas on a girls trip. Excited for some warmer weather, I picked up a few dresses and skirts I can wear there and also once spring arrives.

 

Target, Mossimo, $19.99, HERE

 

These LA Hearts Skirts, I picked up from Pac Sun (online) for $13.00 each

 

Forever 21, Tribal Print Dress, $24.80, HERE

Forever 21, Marbled Dress, $22.90, HERE

As the bump begins to grow, I may have to break down and purchase actual maternity clothing, but for now at 4 months, I'm holding strong :)

White Skirts!

 

Summer may be officially over, but I just love the look of white skirts! 

 I love that you can dress them up and love them both long and short.

 

Here are some of my favs for all different seasons:

 

 

 

 

 

I found a great French Connection Skirt from Marshalls for a great price! Even though summer is over, I'm thinking of pairing with a black sweater this winter :)