Don't freak out, but I think I see some stretch marks," my husband whispered to me in a hushed tone. For a second, I didn't know whether to scoff or to laugh in his face. I opted for the latter.
For context, I was about eight months pregnant at that point, and had gained close to 20kg. I thought I would rock my baby bump with a modicum of Rihanna's pizzazz or Blake Lively's effortless ease, but all I could manage was a clumsy waddle.
And no, the father of my child didn't mean any harm by pointing out my newly earned tiger stripes. His delivery was awkward, but he was trying to be supportive because I had a hard time coming to terms with my pregnant body, including all the discomfort and additional weight.
Like many women, I struggled with body acceptance. I wouldn't say I was obsessed with my weight, but throughout my 20s, I would step on the scales whenever I hit the gym to check if I was still in the lower range of a healthy BMI.
And while I didn't have a superdefined muscle tone, my workouts were all designed to maintain a flat stomach - something I would check for in a full-length mirror almost daily.
Looking back, I recognise now that all of this bordered on the unhealthy. I wasn't on some physical training programme, nor did my livelihood depend on being able to fit into sample sizes. There was simply no need for me to be scrutinising my body like that.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Is Social Media Really Necessary For Career Success?
Social media platforms are powerful job-hunting and networking tools, but if you don't use them for professional reasons or aren't comfortable posting online, don't worry - there are other ways to improve your career prospects.
PAYING IT FORWARD
When she noticed that women in developing countries were not getting the funding they deserved, Laina Raveendran Greene started Angels of Impact.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
Today's workplace dress codes are more varied than ever, but as the lines blur, we're left wondering: Is dressing down impacting how we show up - and how confident we feel at work?
Power Puff
This '80s skirt trend is popping up on our social media feeds and on the streets.
FIRING UP SINGAPORE'S INDIE CINEMA SCENE
Nothing makes Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector, more happy and fulfilled than making a difference to a film-goer's experience. For her, that spells \"f-u-n\" and brings people together. In the third instalment of the \"HER WORLD, HER SPARK\" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Karen about her journey.
WILLA BELLE
ONG is intentional about building the next blocks of her career
Back For Good
Get ready we are now in the halterneck era.
Stick Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is extremely important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond The 9-To-6
According to Her World's annual What Women Want survey, a staggering seven in 10 women in Singapore are willing to take a pay cut for a job that offers better perks and benefits, with a flexible work schedule being a top priority. Are employers here ready to accept flexible arrangements as part of our lexicon?
Leading Singapore's Sustainable Innovations
In this second instalment of the "HER WORLD, HER SPARK" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Oh Chu Xian, founder of deep tech start-up Magorium. Determined to make the construction sector a more sustainable one, she's revolutionising it with a new technology that turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials.
