|
The Goddess Speaks Meaghan Turner |
‘Hot mamas’ the phrase
for new maternitySTANDING in line at the bank the other day, I discovered one of 2004's latest trends. While impatiently waiting to make the deposit that would hopefully cover this month's rent, my eyes focused on the woman in front of me. At first glance she appeared to be your average, late 20-something, in a trendy outfit, and with well-toned legs and arms.
As I stood there berating myself for choosing Starbucks over the gym again this morning and mentally vowing to live up to my exercise-three-times-a-week promise, the woman turned around to reveal a basketball-size pregnancy that would put her at approximately eight months. I couldn't believe it -- I was jealous of a pregnant woman's body. Was this a new all-time low, or had the typical prego physique changed from a shrouded square to a chiseled body covered in J.Lo's maternity velour?
After grabbing a skinny half-caffe latte to console myself, I rushed to the home of my closest pregnant girlfriend to determine if this morning was a fluke or a phenomenon affecting expectant mothers across the country. As my girlfriend contorted her body while mirroring her prenatal yoga tape, she filled me in on the latest expectations facing pregnant women. Apparently gone are the days of "I'm pregnant; this is the one time in my life when it's OK to be fat." The whole "eating for two" mantra has shifted to embrace smaller portion sizes, soy milk, baby boot camp and low-rise maternity. As America becomes a more health-conscious and appearance-driven society, the bar by which pregnant women measure themselves also rises.
SOME WOMEN welcome the change and believe that this turn toward maternity fitness shatters the misconception that pregnant women are incapable of functioning at maximum capacity. By maintaining a healthy body while pregnant, women are comfortable working full time, exercising, and feel better about themselves and the health of their baby. The other added perk of a chic and in-shape pregnancy is being able to avoid that dreaded morning-after feeling that is brought about not by cocktails, but worse, "baby weight." People who gain 50 to 70 pounds are left with an immediate struggle once the child is born. If the child weighs only 7 pounds and you gained 70, well, you do the math.
Is this new development of hot pre-mommies purely vanity-driven, or are women becoming more interested in their health during pregnancy? As with most things, it's probably a combination of both. We all feel better without underarm jiggle that keeps waving long after we've stopped, and there's no doubt that I feel sexier in my pink mini than my elasticized sweats. So I say bravo, ladies, you are leading all women and your unborn children into a healthier, more confident world and are looking good doing it.
The Goddess Speaks is a feature column by and
about women. If you have something to say, write
"The Goddess Speaks," 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813;
or e-mail features@starbulletin.com.