A Tale About Boobies

Boobies. That's my 17 month old daughter Zoe's new word. Yup. She points to my chest or her own and says it sooo matter of factly. (Thanks to the hubs for this one.) I'm teaching her where her nose is and his contribution is boobies. But it's true. She's learning parts of her body and that is just as much a part of her as her toes. But why did I react differently the first time she said it?

Maybe it's because the first time she said it I was changing and it caught me off guard. It actually made me feel vulnerable. Oh.. Holy moly.... This kid is old enough to know what boobs are. And then it seeped in. That negative thought that I didn't see coming.

"It's probably because they are so big now that she noticed them."

Ummm excuse me?! I had to check myself. First of all, I should probably recognize that I breast fed for a year so this baby is very well acquainted with my breasts. Also, no. Just... No. What's so amazing about children is they aren't tainted by anything. All she knows is that this is a different part of the body. But my own self conscious thoughts made me go to a place that I don't want her to go. And that's where the real story lies.

I have always loved my boobs (it makes me laugh just typing that!). Seems funny to write it down, but it's true. These puppies have really come in handy. I used to wear sexy bras and always thought of them as one of my best features.

Then breast feeding happened. Actually, pregnancy happened. The second I became pregnant my breasts changed. They got bigger. And when you have big boobs you do NOT want them to get bigger. I was so jealous of my friends who had smaller breasts because when they got pregnant their boobs were ah-mazing. Mine just wouldn't stop getting bigger. Then I had Zoe and my milk came in. I mean... Ayoooooga! Just ask my husband. I remember waking up on the third day of Zoe's life and asking Andrew if my boobs looked different. Insert crazy eye emoji here. His tongue literally fell onto the floor like a cartoon.

For the next year, I was more self-conscious of my chest. Maybe that's because you are so much more aware of them all the time. Whipping them out in public to feed or feeling engorged after going out to dinner.

Once I was no longer breast feeding and it had been a few months, I decided it was time to shop for a bra. HOLY BAJEEZUS! It had been a long time since I had lifted and supported (if you know what I’m saying)! It was time to practice what I preech. Because wearing the right bra is an essential part of feeling good. It’s one of those things you don’t even realize is wrong before it’s right. You know what I mean? There I was going about my life in my old lifeless bras. Then BOOM. Ummmm did I just lose 15 pounds?!

That’s right. A well fitting bra can help make you look slimmer! It also relieves back pain, changes how clothes fit, and can add LOADS to your self esteem!

I asked 10 women to go bra shopping and tell me what they learned. What was so interesting was that the answers were SO consistent! Here were the top three things women learned when they went bra shopping.

1) Size Matters – That is correct! 9 out of 10 women surveyed found out that they were wearing the WRONG BRA SIZE!

2) Rolling out the Rotation – All of the women who were surveyed did not realize that they should have more bras. They admitted to wearing the same bra for several days not knowing how much that ruins the shape.

3) Bigger Bra Size = Looking Slimmer – All the women who were wearing the wrong size magically felt smaller by going up a size. This is actually true for most shopping. You don’t realize that by wearing a smaller size you are creating more bumps and lumps that don’t really exist. A bra that is too loose will make you appear larger as well. You could be wearing a shirt that feels tight, and then with the right bra it makes the shirt fit much better.

So, here is what I would like you to do. Take a look in your underwear drawer (I know.. those undies gotsta go too. But that’s for another post) and if it’s been awhile since you refreshed the bra drawer then it’s time to get going! Head over to a bra store that has a bra SPECIALIST, whether it’s a Nordstrom’s or a local bra whisperer store it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that it’s not a Victoria’s Secret. I repeat… DO NOT GO INTO VICTORIA’S SECRET.

I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but “Vickie’s” is part of the whole “I don’t know my size problem.”. They don’t measure or size their bras the same as anyone else and it’s confusing. Also, if you are a real D or above, chances are you don’t fit correctly into a lot of their styles. I know it’s hard because they are the most readily available store, but you must look elsewhere!

Once you have been fitted correctly, make sure you get a nude bra, a black bra and then a few fun ones to make you get your groove back. Whether that’s lace or hot pink is up to you. The important thing is you know your size and you are refreshing something in your closet that desperately needed to be replaced. Just watch your confidence level soar.

When it comes to confidence you have to start with the basic foundation. It will help lift your mood (and something else…) without you even realizing. That’s always my goal. To teach you ways to make you feel great, that become an innate part of your routine. So you are feeling amazing and the effort is already done.

I’d love to know if you have any bra shopping stories.

Ever go and be shocked by the size? Felt different after purchasing a new fancy bra? Spill the deets girl!

Xoxo,

Melanie