Here is a little picture of me finishing Cohasset.
This is not the best photo of me. Why then, would I post it?
Excellent question. Because I need to put this discussion on the table:
What the FUCK happens to your boobs when you stop nursing, turn forty, and get skinny? God Damn it! It's enough to make me want to go eat a vat of Twinkies! I know the Twinkies would go to my belly for the most part, but they would also go to the boobs. I just want a little.... Would a little extra blubber really make me that much slower?
Most of the time it's easy to pretend that I don't actually have sagging mosquito bites for boobs.Victoria's Secret and other companies make money by appealing to a woman's vanity (or a man's fantasy--wasn't Victoria's Secret actually founded by a man?) Anyway, they have created bras that give you two cup sizes and a lift--no surgery required.
But you can't wear one of those bras when racing.
Actually, when in LuLu Lemon the other day I did notice they have begun to sell running/workout bras with padding. They just need to add the lift part and we ex-nursing mamas will be lining up out front of their stores.
I know I shouldn't care. It's just that no matter what you do--at forty only the VERY LUCKIEST of women can have a completely smoking body while also avoiding surgery--and most of those women, I'd venture, did NOT have children. I weigh less than I did in high school, and on top of that I am in way (way) better shape. Still, there is not doubt my body was more appealing and delicious at that age than now. Youth smooths over imperfections. Age highlights them.
Usually I love my body. It's lean. It's strong. My ass looks relatively tight in jeans. My problem comes when I view pictures like this one. There is not avoiding the truth then. I remember at my last gyno appointment my long-time ob/gyn, Swati, suggested I maybe just add a little saline to them... In her thick Indian accent she suggested innocently, "Just to add a little life to them, Mary. Just a little. They are sad now."
What is the point of all of this?
Sigh. There is none. I have a history of discontent with my boobs. I should just make peace with them. They have been useful, I admit, in the case of both attracting boys (when I was a teen) and when I was an adult (nourishing babies). I should cut them some slack. They have done their job.
And no, implants aren't a possibility. They are just so obvious... and besides that, the irony in that is way too great. I wish all of you men out there, though, would stop drooling over implanted breasts. It would make it so much easier for we still real women to deal.
BIG SIGH.
23 comments:
Ya know, my eyes didn't even go there. I immediately saw the definition in your legs. I thought "wow. she looks really strong. and cut!"
Can I just say that I'm glad you're not considering the saline? Really. You are fine just the way you are. Those saline bags are just ridiculous. *Especially* for athletes. ;)
Excellent post. Although I am on the opposite end . . . I now enjoy my post nursing "girls" ever so much more than before. I've only had to nourish one child (so far) so maybe I'll be a bit upset when and if I have to do it all over again and they shrink even more. For the time being however, I do enjoy the simplistic bras I get to wear.
Now if you want to talk post pregnancy hips! I have a mouthful to spew about that! As in, do they EVER go away?
You look awesome regardless! Way to kick ass!
Hysterical! I am happy to have a husband who's more of an ass man because THAT I can tone up damn nice with all this biking and running. Boobs, I'd be hosed.
The Lululemon bras are awesome - I basically live in the Flow Ys (very nice to have those insertable pads) and they have several models that are quite supportive for running.
Funny you mention this. I was thinking the EXACT opposite of this today while I was gearing up to go on my ride. After I ran a marathon last October my boobs have come back full force(back to full c land) and I believe contribute to at least 4ish lbs of weight gain. I loved my smallish boobs when my body was eating all of the fat out of them and using it as fuel. So much easier to shop for bras and added to the comfort factor while running. I'll lend you some, k? Just forward me your mailing address.
Just so you know, I think you look great in that picture. You look healthy and fit with great muscle definition.
As for boobs... mine used to be... well they looked more like boobs. Now that was before I dropped 90+lbs and breastfed what seems now like forever. Maybe gaining back some weight would fill them a bit but I am NOT going in that direction so since I just watch them go more and more south and try not to think about them too much.
I have to admire you for putting yourself out there, unflattering picture and all! That's confidence! Can't relate to the boobs issue, I've always been a B and stayed a B after nursing one child. I've never cared much for boobs, and have always been grateful for being on the small size. Can you imagine running fast with big boobs? I say you and your boobs need to make peace. If you want the saline, get the saline, nothing wrong with that in my book! But it seems to me that this is not something that is on your mind frequently, rather, it was brought on by an unflattering picture. By the way, have you seen your legs????
I have seen silicone cross the finish line at triathlons and it just looks plain ridiculous. This woman really might have been an ex-porn star, they were that big!
I feel the same way about a picture I have from a half marathon last year. My boobs seemed to sag to my belly button. I thought it was the sports bra so I went out and bought more, but sadly it did nothing.
Well, your boobs might be small, but your nipples are doing a great job in that picture. :)
Seriously, don't go changing them or getting implants for anyone but yourself. If you want them for you, great. If not, that's great too. Just know that not all of them look so obvious. Get them done right, and no one who doesn't know your previous look will know.
I just like to have the little bit that I have back up where it used to be...Not necessarily for looks but for comfort...I mean I really don't want to wear a bra 24-7! As I see my body becoming what I've always wanted it to be...there are these two "little" things sagging...Oh well as you said they have done their duty...
But your arms look AMAZING!
LMFAO! (your DR's coment, my goodness). mary, boobs just get in the way.
Mary, you look fit and lean and like a RUNNER!!!! Little boobies and all.
I am so small too Jerome calls me nipples sometimes. NICE.
This is a true story.....I am an "A" cup...36A (thank you swimming as a kid!)...and I have NEVER missed having boobs as an athlete.
Then I got pregnant w/ twins and something HAPPENED and my boobs went to an A to a D+. I was nursing 2 babies and when I started to get back to "running" post babies, I started to run and FELT my butt and boobs and was like, "NO WAY!"
We laughed our asses off at my bras from that time.
I have stretch marks ALL over my boobs from that lovely nursing twins moment in time and I could care less. For some reason, I am flat and except for the rare occasion I put on a dress...I don't care (oh and a bikini! - lol)!!!
I am woefully on the other end of the spectrum. After I retired the girls from breastfeeding, I ended up with two different size boobs. I was so cautious to make sure they were severed up equally to avoid this, nonetheless, here I am . If that weren't bad enough, I cannot get them to shrink no matter how much weight I lose. My bra band size has gone down from a 36 to a 32, but those damn boobs are still a D!!!! (well one is probably a C or a C 1/2). I long to be a B.
giiirrrrll....you weigh less than you did in HIGH SCHOOL!! thats all i gotta say...b/c thats dang awesome!
I'm with Amanda, I thought WOW look at those strong legs and arms and then I did snicker when you mentioned the tah tahs...just wait until your forty-five...then they really shrink and go south. Sorry but hey, you're fast, lean, strong and smart! Who cares about the boobs, really???!!
FWIW, I always think you look awesome in your race pics. I'm with everyone else - I notice the ripped arms and legs.
The boobs did their job, and are now in retirement. Let them relax and enjoy the good life. At least, that's what I tell myself and my post-babies, post-40, deflated boobied self. :)
really? I dont think this is a "chick post"
Kurt, Really? You need to enlighten us. ;)
oh yea, for sure...my boobs are sagging as I near 40 and I have 3kids.
I got implants in there...and my butt cheek implants too.
why do you think I race triathlon...I want to look good in a speedo and mankini.
Obviously you need to move to Maine!!
OBGYNs up here don't suggest you get a little
perk of saline and that your breasts are sad.
Also there are more runners/swimmers/bikers here-- and we all look the same as you. --->FABULOUS!
You're funny! I do know what you mean though. I seem to be having the opposite problem right now. Being 20 weeks pregnant, my boobs feel ridiculously huge. I hate it. I'm running, their bouncing, and sagging, and actually causing chaffing issues due to all the stupid bouncing. I like my little itty bitty boobs and long for them!
Don't mind my poor grammar. "their" should have been "they're."
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