When I first embarked on this pregnancy journey, I realized just how much of it was a mystery to me.

Sure, I had seen the beautiful baby bumps and heard stories from other moms, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different ballgame. There are so many unknowns, so much that we are never taught and that is never really talked about.

Now that I am nearing the end of this adventure, I have learned so much about the incredible changes happening within me, the growth of a tiny human, and the way my body is transforming. It has been eye-opening and, dare I say, magical in its own way.

But let’s be real here: it hasn’t been all rainbows and unicorns. There have been moments of fear, moments where I wondered if I was doing everything right, and moments where the unknowns felt overwhelming. Yet, through it all, I’ve come to appreciate the roller coaster of emotions and experiences that make up this remarkable journey.

Facing a Fear: Gestational Diabetes

Just a few weeks ago, my “smooth sailing” pregnancy journey turned into what felt like a roller coaster ride, with a little thing called gestational diabetes. Talk about a curveball, right? But what if I told you, this unexpected detour has taken me on an incredible journey of intuitive eating and embracing myself and my body?

Yupp, buckle up.

But What is Gestational Diabetes?

Let’s set the record straight: gestational diabetes has absolutely nothing to do with a person’s health or lack thereof. It’s not a reflection of our character or ability to care for ourselves. Instead, it’s a condition caused by the placenta interfering with the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels during pregnancy. So, let’s ditch any shame or self-blame, shall we?

Coming to terms with this diagnosis wasn’t easy. The news was like a whirlwind of emotions when I first heard it. Confusion? Check. Frustration? Oh yeah. A tinge of fear? You betcha. It felt like this giant roadblock, right in the middle of all my self-acceptance and body positivity goals. But I quickly realized that dwelling on negative thoughts and falling into the dieting trap wasn’t going to serve me or my baby.

So, after some tears, and a few conversations with my doctor, trusted friends, and my doula, I decided to flip the script.

A New View of Gestational Diabetes

I decided to take a different approach, an approach that focuses on being kind to myself and my body, while embracing the principles of intuitive eating and rejecting the harmful aspects of diet culture, as always, but with through this new lens of gestational diabetes.

Intuitive eating encourages us to listen to our bodies, honor our hunger and fullness cues, and cultivate a positive relationship with food while giving diet culture the side-eye. It’s about nourishing ourselves with respect and compassion rather than following restrictive diets.

So, instead of driving myself nuts with carb counting and food restrictions, I discovered that gestational diabetes didn’t have to be a punishment but an invitation to further explore the depths of my body’s wisdom.  I reinvigorated self-care techniques to alleviate stress and foster a positive mindset. Engaging in gentle exercise and making intentional choices with food to honor my body’s needs and preferences. By shifting my perspective from fighting against my body to working with it, I found a newfound appreciation for the incredible journey of pregnancy and all the changes it brings.

And you know what?

One of the most empowering aspects of this journey has been the rejection of societal pressures and expectations regarding pregnancy and my “health.” Intuitive eating taught me that my body knows what it needs, and the focus should be on authentic health and overall well-being. This revelation allowed me to embrace the changes my body was going through and let go of any lingering judgement or concerns.

I gave a big ol’ hug to my body, quirks and all, and embraced the beautiful changes happening within me.

The Takeaway

Through all the challenges and triumphs, I’ve learned that embracing intuitive eating and body acceptance is a powerful act of self-love and empowerment. It’s about recognizing that my worth is not tied to my body size or a medical diagnosis but rather to the unique qualities and experiences that make me who I am. And the takeaway – the best way to love myself is to care for myself in whatever way works for me.

So, if you’re on a similar journey—whether it’s gestational diabetes or any other unexpected adventure – I encourage you to approach it with an open mind and a gentle heart.

Remember, you are worthy of kindness, understanding, and support—especially from yourself.

Let’s break free from the chains of diet culture, celebrate our incredible bodies, and trust our inner wisdom to guide us through this wild, beautiful journey. We’re redefining the rules, one step at a time.

Let’s break free from the shackles of diet culture, embrace our bodies with love, and trust our innate wisdom to guide us through this wild journey. Together, we can rewrite the narrative and empower ourselves and future generations to celebrate and cherish ourselves and our bodies.

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