In my podcast, “What Your Husband Needs, Part 2″ I talked about the importance of being attractive for your spouse.  Sure, we want to lose the weight for ourselves, but we must recognize that our physical appearance is important to our spouses too.  My husband is not shy so he told me flat out, ”It would mean a lot to me if you lost your pregnancy pounds.” 

He just told me a story yesterday of a friend who was so discouraged because his wife had not lost her pregnancy weight, and he was constantly surrounded at work by fit, attractive women.  His friend was having a hard time being attracted to his wife’s extra 25 pounds. 

Of course we want to be loved unconditionally by our spouse, but that isn’t an excuse to let our bodies go.  I love what Dr. Willard Harley says in his excellent book, “His Needs, Her Needs”:

By calling for a wife to be attractive I mean she should take pains to look something like the woman her husband married.  After all, that was the woman he fell in love with, not a movie star or some other fantasy.  Does this mean a woman must stay eternally young?  Of course not, but getting older provides no excuse for letting weight creep up and up, not fixing your hair, and dressing like a bag lady.

Today’s Action Step:  Look at a picture of you on your wedding day.  Are you in better or worse shape?  If worse, make a decision that you will get back to your pre-baby weight, for your sake AND for your husband’s.

I wrote an article on my website http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com titled, “Me, Look Good Naked?”  As moms living in a postpartum body, we can feel a bit uncomfortable in our own skin.  Many women wonder where they can go for a new body minus the cottage cheese legs and tummy folds thanks to baby.  When you don’t feel confident about your body, it affects your love life with your husband.

A mom emailed me about the article.  She was feeling discouraged about having sex with her husband because of all the weight she still has to lose.  But after reading the article, she was encouraged by the reminder that her husband loves her and wants to have an intimate relationship with her, no matter what her shape or size.

Remember moms, a negative body image robs you and your family from realizing the beautiful person you are.  Accept where you are with grace, and push yourself to become healthier and more attractive with discipline. 

Find out more about overcoming disdain for your body and celebrating lovemaking with your husband, even if the lights are on.  Read ”Me, Look Good Naked?” and other weight loss articles for yourself at http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com/article_content.php?id=167

My husband and I are coming up on our anniversary.  He’s my dream come true and I could not be more blessed.  Two thoughts come to mind about love and losing weight. 

1.  If you lose weight, your husband will appreciate it.  Men are highly visual and he does care about your appearance, even though he might never tell you so.  He knows to pick his battles wisely! 

2.  Remember those Kegel exercises for childbirth?  Well, after delivery, it’s great to still do Kegels and get that pelvic floor strong again for future pregnancies, and for your sex life.  Have strong pelvic floor muscles will help you be more sexually responsive and that’s good for a marriage too! 

Hot Tip for Moms:  Do your Kegels.  Check out my website for an articles about Kegels: http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com/article_content.php?id=156