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Meet Jen McLellan

10 Steps To Body Love

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plusmommy

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Moms don't have time for miscarriages. That's what I told myself as I put on a giant pad and headed to the zoo a few days out from a painful loss.⁣
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I smiled for pictures with my son, waddled like a penguin, and growled like the grizzly bear.⁣
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Moms don't have time for miscarriages.⁣
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In the weeks and months that followed, I fell into a deep depression.⁣
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That's what happens when we don't give women time and permission to grieve. When we tell people things like, "you're lucky you were only six weeks along!"⁣
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If your loss was six days after you tested positive or six months - it matters. You matter!⁣
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Today is Pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness Day. I’m not alone, and you are not alone.⁣
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Moms have miscarriages. Moms need time to grieve.⁣
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#1in4⁣ #pregnancyloss #pregnancylossawareness #miscarriage #miscarriageawareness #plusmommy #plussizemom #pregnancyblog

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Apparently, today is National Plus Size Appreciation Day. When I started thinking about what this day means to me, this photo by @kindredphotographer came to mind immediately. ⁣
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This photo is from the 2014 @birthwithoutfear conference in Austin, Texas. At the time, I was pretty new to public speaking but this moment changed everything for me. ⁣
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I'll never forget standing there, on that stage, knowing I was doing exactly what I should be doing with my life. Me, a fat woman, telling a group of nearly 200 people how to love themselves! ⁣
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It was a liberating feeling, and the photos from this event clearly show I was in my element. ⁣
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Me, at fat woman, not only telling people how to love themselves but believing the message I was spreading. The message I continue to share all these years later. ⁣
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I genuinely love my fat body. That doesn't mean I don't have my struggles. It means I refuse to ever again hate and punish myself for existing in a larger body. ⁣
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By appreciating my body, I've had amazing experiences I previously felt I didn't deserve. I've opened so many doors I thought only thin women could walkthrough! ⁣
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So today, and every day, I appreciate my plus size body. ⁣
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Today, and every day, I encourage you to do the same! ⁣
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#NationalPlusSizeAppreciationDay⁣ #plusmommy #fatliberation #bodylove #plussizemom #plussizemama #plussizemommy #plussizewoman #plussizebloggers #plussizeblog #birthwithoutfear

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Swipe to see why I'm smiling so big while sitting on the toilet! #sponsored⁣
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I thought bidets weren't for me until I tried @hellotushy. Oh. My. Goodness! I finally understood the hype, when I didn't have to wipe (see what I did there)!⁣
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I'm not the only person in my house who is obsessed. My husband loves our new bidet, and my nine-year-old son said, "This is the best thing⁣ ever!"⁣
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This mom is thrilled to no longer have to deal with clogged toilets due to my son using far too much toilet paper. I wish I had tried TUSHY far sooner because every mom knows it takes kids FOREVER to⁣ learn how to clean themselves fully.⁣
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TUSHY is so helpful for just about everyone and especially for those who sometimes struggle to reach to wipe (looking at you, pregnant friends)!⁣
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My family is now a bidet family, and yours can be too! Go to⁣
hellotushy.com/PLUSMOMMY and get 10% off your order. #stopwipingstartwashing #plusmommy

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Last night I went to Target by myself. I ordered a tall Pumpkin Spice latte and took two hours to purchase a toilet seat.⁣⁣⁣
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Two blissful hours gave me a sense of myself back, and I had missed her so much.⁣⁣⁣
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A week and a half ago, my life turned upside down when my husband and son were involved in a terrible car accident. Someone ran a red light and dramatically impacted our lives.⁣⁣⁣
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In the beginning, I was steady, doing what I needed to do to help my family heal — countless phone calls, appointments, and tending to their needs.⁣⁣⁣
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I was fine until I wasn't, and all of a sudden, I broke.⁣⁣⁣
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For the past few days, I've felt completely exhausted, and I have no patience. I also feel incredibly guilty for feeling this way.⁣⁣⁣
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The love of my life is still in so much pain and can't work - who am I to feel exhausted?⁣⁣⁣
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My son is struggling emotionally and acting out - who am I to have no patience?⁣⁣⁣
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But I'm struggling too! So I took myself to Target (my happy place).⁣⁣⁣
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You can't be everything for everyone else, unless you take care of yourself first. Remember that and do something nice for yourself today.⁣⁣⁣
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Even if all you buy is a toilet seat, you'll know that life isn't as crappy as it can feel at the moment.⁣⁣⁣
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Caregiver burnout is REAL, and as parents, we're all experiencing burnout in one form or another. Be kind to yourself first so you can be kind to everyone who needs you.⁣⁣ 💗 You’ve got this! ⁣
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#plusmommy ⁣⁣#plussizemom #plussizemama #plussizemommy #caregiverburnout #momtruth

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On Sunday I received the phone call you never want to get - a call from my husband that he and my son had been in a terrible car accident. I didn't freak out until I arrived on the scene and couldn't see my son. I finally saw him covered in a red drink, and for a few⁣ seconds, I mistook for something else. Then I saw the car, and my heart stopped.⁣
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An SUV ran a red light, and my husband t-boned them. My boys seemed okay. But my husband wasn't, and I would learn quickly over the next⁣ few hours how adrenaline can disguise injury.⁣
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Paramedics were surprised how well my son was after seeing the car wreck. They said he would've been far more injured had he not been in a booster. I can't tell you how many arguments I've had with my⁣ 9-year-old about him not wanting to be in a booster because his friends don't use one. I'm forever thankful I never budged.⁣
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We spent hours at the ER worried about my husband having internal bleeding. Thankfully he's okay even though he will have a very long road to recovery as he can hardly walk and his body is black and blue.⁣
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I have one thing to ask of everyone reading this - keep your children in boosters for as long a possible. Please let that be the good that can come of this. More awareness of how essential boosters are for bigger kids - even if they don't think they are cool!!!!⁣
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(Thank you for all the love you've sent our way. Asking for help is not something I do, but many people here, friends and family have asked how they can help as my husband is out of work unpaid for at least a week, will go back on restriction, and both boys have physical therapy needs. A dear friend set up a GoFundMe (link in bio) to help us stay afloat while everything gets sorted out by insurance. For those who have asked, my Venmo is Jennifer-McLellan-2 ❤️ BUT just keeping my boys in your thoughts means everything to me! Thank you!)⁣
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#plusmommy⁣ #boosterseat #carseatsafetyawareness #carseatsafety

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I'll never forget the first time I realized I needed a seat belt extender on a plane. My throat landed in my stomach, and I was mortified. Slowly, I moved my jacket over my lap to cover the seat belt buckle.⁣
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On the return flight, I did the same thing. No one has to know, or so I told myself.⁣
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During another flight, I got brave and asked the flight attendant for an extender once I was seated. She forgot about my request, so I pretended that I did too.⁣
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I decided my safety was worth a few moments of embarrassment during my next trip. As I boarded the plane, I took a deep breath and asked the flight attendant greeting me for an extender. I was hoping the person behind me didn't overhear. The flight attendant said, "Sure, honey!" She smiled, handed me an extender, and I walked back to my seat. I buckled myself in and was ready for my flight.⁣
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After that experience, I stopped allowing the fear of embarrassment to prevent me from putting my safety and comfort first. So when I learned about @southwestair Customer of Size Policy, I decided to give it a try.⁣
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Yes, the fat girl asked for two seats (a free middle seat after purchasing my seat). And you know what? It wasn't a big deal! I was comfortable, and the person sitting in my row with me was thrilled. My travel anxiety and discomfort with needing to smoosh my body is now a thing of the past.⁣
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Never allow your size to compromise your safety - ask for what you need because you're worth it!⁣
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Go to the "flying + fat" highlight above for all my plus size flying tips. #southweststorytellers #southwestairlines #flyingwhilefat #plussizetravel #askforwhatyouneed #fatisnotaviolation #fatliberation #fatpositive #plusmommy #plussizemom #RRProject30⁣

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It's Friday the 13th, so I'm going to share something scary - I'm sharing my fat body unapologetically.⁣⁣
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Maybe you're thinking, ‘But Jen, your body isn't scary!’⁣⁣
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I challenge you to look again.⁣⁣
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I know I live in a body people fear because I see all the hearts on before and after photos. Photos praising those who are doing everything they can to NOT exist in a body that looks remotely like mine.⁣⁣
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I ask you to consider what you're saying by loving your friend's before and after photos. You're saying a thin body deserves recognition over a fat one. That a fat body is a body that needs to be changed.⁣⁣
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I get it, I've been there. But my body is proof that for every pound I've lost hating myself, I've regained five more. ⁣⁣
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My before and after photos ALWAYS returned to a before.⁣⁣
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I support people doing whatever they want to do with their body. You do you! I just ask you to think about how before and after photos can be harmful not only for people of size but people battling with eating disorders.⁣⁣
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Your body isn't a before and after - your body is so much more!⁣⁣
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So, today, I'm sharing something scary - I'm sharing my body. A body that will never again be a before.⁣⁣
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#plusmommy ⁣#plussizemommy #plussizemama #plussizemom #plussizebloggers #fatliberation #fatpositive #bodypositive #bodylove ⁣⁣#rrproject30 ⁣⁣

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Dear Plus Size Mom At The Fair,⁣⁣
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I see you eyeing the rides and wondering about weight limits as your kids beg you to come along. Smelling all the fair food and questioning what people will think if you get in line for the fried Oreos. Ignoring those occasional awkward looks people give you - I get them too. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣
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I see you, but I also see your kids having the time of their lives with you by their side. Your children who can't possibly understand the bravery it sometimes takes to go to the fair as a plus size person. ⁣⁣
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I see you, and I'm proud of you! ⁣⁣
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Love, ⁣⁣
The Other Plus Size Mom At The Fair⁣⁣
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#plusmommy #plussizemom ⁣⁣#plussizemama #plussizemommy #fatmom #plussizeblogger #plussizebloggers #plussizepodcast #fatliberation #rrproject30

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If you swipe, you'll see a journal entry from 2002 when I was 23. I dreamed of becoming a writer but had no clue how to start down that path.⁣
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Grammar and spelling were never a strength of mine (I still struggle), and I didn't think I was talented enough to write.⁣
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Nine years later, in April of 2011, I started blogging. I found my voice and had a story to share.⁣
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I wanted to develop all the resources I struggled to find when I was plus size and pregnant. At the time the hashtag #plussizepregnancy didn't exist and talking about being fat, and pregnant was taboo.⁣
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To date, the @plussizebirth blog has received over 5 MILLION page views! I co-authored a book with the incredible @momofambition and my own on plus size pregnancy. I’m a writer! ⁣
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Most days, being a full-time blogger looks like the first image I took today - no bra, no makeup, and my hair just happened to be washed. I'm sipping strong coffee from my favorite mug given to me by fellow⁣ blogger @goodforyouglutenfree.⁣
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Blogging is very isolating and isn't as glamours as it looks online. Last night I was up working until 4:00 am to hit a deadline. Some months my family thrives, others we struggle to make rent.⁣
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With that said, I don't have the words to express how thankful I am to have this job! And I know I wouldn't be the writer I am today if it wasn't for each of you supporting me along the way.⁣
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Thank you for helping me to live my dream. I ⁣hope my story encourages you never to stop pursuing yours!⁣
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Let me know below if you have a passion you've wanted to share with the world so I can cheer you on.⁣ ❤️
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#plusmommy #plussizeblogger #shepodcasts #pregnancyblog #pregnancyblogger #pregnancypodcast #plussizebirth #rrproject30 ☕️

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To the mom who looks happy but is secretly drowning, I've been there too. It's Maternal Suicide Awareness Week, and I want to share my⁣
story.⁣
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*** Trigger warning for pregnancy loss and suicidal ideology. ***⁣
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These photos were taken for my son's second birthday when I was in the thick of depression. Just two months prior, I had a miscarriage and a few days later was laid off from my job of over seven-years.⁣
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I was devastated and felt like I was hardly holding on. Before I lost my insurance, I got a prescription for an antidepressant.⁣
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Without a care provider to help me find the right medication for me and oversee the dosage, I started drowning.⁣
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I stopped sleeping. I would lay in bed for hours trying to sleep. Before long, I'd lay in bed for hours thinking about how I wanted to die. I made plans.⁣
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I was making plans when we took these photos.⁣
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Thankfully I was able to identify something was wrong. I talked to a pharmacist who told me to ween off the medication and get help.⁣
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And I did.⁣
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I'd love to tell you I've never had those thoughts again. The reality is I have, and I know I'm not alone. It's so easy to smile and pretend like everything is as perfect as the photos we share on social media.⁣ There's always so much more going on.⁣
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To the mom who looks happy but is secretly drowning, I see you! You're not alone, and there's help - Text HOME to 741741 to speak to a⁣ trained crisis counselor.⁣
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I'm worth it. You're worth it!⁣
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#mymmhstory #momsarenotimmune #knowmomfacts #maternialmentalhealth⁣
#plusmommy #rrproject30 📷 #acomastreetphotography

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I'm joining my friend @katiemcrenshaw and her challenge to make Instagram fun again and post every day for 30 days! I often find myself hesitating to post because my photos aren't "good enough" and my feed isn't "Instagram worthy" (whatever that means). ⁣⁣
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So here I go...real, raw, maybe a little boring at times, but 100% JEN! #rrproject30⁣⁣
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The first day is #selfie. I picked this photo because it's perfectly imperfect. It was an afternoon not too long ago when my son and I randomly went on mother/son date. ⁣⁣
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My phone is full of selfies like this one because these are the memories I want to hold onto even tighter than special events. No makeup. Messy bun. Not a care in the world - just ice cream with my little man!⁣⁣
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#momlife #plusmommy #plussizemom #plussizemama #capturemotherhood #momstaysinthepicture

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#avapartner For the past few years, I've questioned if my husband and I are done having kids. Recently I decided to start taking charge of my fertility! I heard such wonderful things about @avawomen, a bracelet you wear at night that tracks 5 physical parameters to determine your cycle and 5 most fertile days. But, I assumed because I'm plus size that it wouldn't work for me. I couldn't have been more wrong! ⁣⁣
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My Ava bracelet is more than accommodating for my plus size body. When I set up the Ava app I was blown away. The weight limit goes all the way up to 551 lbs! ⁣⁣
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Beyond tracking my cycle, unlike I ever have before, it's fascinating to learn how much sleep I'm getting, my stress level, and heart rate. To learn more head over to avawomen.com and use code PLUSMOMMY for $20 off! ⁣⁣
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#avawomen #avabracelet #plussizemom #plussizepregnancy⁣
#plussizeandpregnant #plusmommy

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Hi friends! Here are a few fun facts about yours truly.⁣⁣
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I’m 5’ tall and ½” and that ½” counts!⁣⁣
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After giving birth on my knees, I’m longer ashamed of a body that can do something so magnificent.⁣⁣
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I used to believe dresses made me look bad, but now I rock dresses and leggings nearly daily. Body love is freeing!⁣⁣
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Speaking of dresses, my life would be complete if they all came with pockets.⁣⁣
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Random dance parties with my son bring me immeasurable joy!⁣⁣
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Outbursts of cheesiness are to be expected whenever spending time with me because I was a camp counselor for a decade.⁣.⁣⁣
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I always wanted to be a writer, but I’m a terrible speller. One day I stopped allowing that to hold me back. Now I’m a published author, and my #plussizepregnancy blog has received over 5 million page views!⁣
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I love making a difference in the lives of others and wish those same people knew the difference they make in mine.⁣⁣
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XO Jen McLellan ⁣⁣
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Please join me, and share something special about YOU below! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Support All Mamas shirt from @little.oceans 💗 #plusmommy⁣ #plussizeblogger #plussizebloggers #pregnancypodcast #plussizemom #plussizemama #plussizemommy #plussizebirth

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I’m honored to be featured by @glamourmag sharing what it's like to be a plus size mom raising my son to be body-positive. By having these difficult conversations, we transform not only how our kids view their body but how we learn to love ourselves! 💗
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Link in bio! #plusmommy #plussizemom #plussizemommy #plussizemama #bodypositivekids #fatpositive #bodyliberation #momtruth #plussizebirth #plussizepregnancy #glamourmagazine

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Nine years ago today, I became a mother. I thought a lot about what I wanted to share, the wisdom I could impart. The reality is each year of motherhood comes with even more challenges and heartache. Times when you feel like you've completely failed as a parent. Days when you want to get in the car and keep driving. These are the moments of motherhood we don't talk about.
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These are the moments of motherhood we know all too well. .
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Through all the struggles and arguments over the most ridiculous things, there are the moments that take our breath away. The times when we need them, more than they need us. The unsolicited, "I love you” that makes our heart explode. Those moments when you laugh together until you can't breathe, and then laugh some more. The days they make us so proud that we can hardly comprehend how we created such an incredible human. .
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These are the moments of motherhood we know all too well. .
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Nine years ago today, I took on the hardest and most rewarding role of my life. Nine years ago today, I became a mother! ❤️
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#plusmommy #plussizebirth #plussizepregnancy #plussizemom #plussizemommy #plussizemama #momtruths #momstaysinthepicture #this_is_postpartum

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During a recent trip to Disneyland, as a plus size mom, I realized how different it was to experience Disney with a much larger body. While I assumed Disneyland was size-friendly, many attractions are not size-inclusive.
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As I documented my Disney day via Instagram stories, I was blown away by how many moms messaged me. They shared their excitement to now book their family Disney vacation after hearing my tips.
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I knew there was so much more to share! So I invited my friend, Sam Reyes of @theladyrey and @disneyplussize, a self-proclaimed Disney Dork, to help develop this resource!
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We cover all things Disneyland and California Adventure for plus size guests in this extensive 27-page guide, and Plus Mommy Podcast episode!.
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Disney magic is accessible to people of all sizes. You just have to be a little strategic. NEVER allow your size to hold you back!
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❤️ Guide linked in bio! ❤️#plusmommy #plussizemom #plussizemama #disneymom #disneyplussize #disneylandtips #plussizelife #plussizeblogger #plussizebloggers #womenpodcasters #mompodcasters

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"I’ve learned things that I never gave much thought to in my first pregnancy, but that has made this second pregnancy much easier, and empowered me to have the pregnancy and birth that I want. It’s given me the tools I need to make this my own experience and not fall into the “obese pregnancy” trap that some providers set." - Megan Nelson, Mom
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Tap the link in my bio to get this powerful resource and start reading it at any point in your pregnancy or while you’re trying to conceive. Your body is built for this! 💗
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#plussizepregnancy #plusmommy #plussizebirth #plussizeandpregnant #plussizepregnancybump #fatandpregnant #obeseandpregnant #pregnancyblog #birthmatters #improvingbirth #birthwithoutfear #haes

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This is me at the happiest place on earth living my best life.
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8 hours earlier, I couldn't sleep. I kept wondering how I'd be able to walk for miles and if I'd fit on all the rides.
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4 hours before this photo, I put on my adorable plus size Minnie dress as my son kept knocking on my bedroom door telling me to hurry. I displayed my, "mommy is so excited" face while deep down fearing I'd slow everyone down all day.
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1 hour earlier, I saw the turnstiles as we were entering the park. I knew I'd get through, but I'd have to squeeze my body. I had a choice to make - start off the day by shrinking my body and being uncomfortable or advocate for myself from the start. I smiled at the Disney cast member as I asked her to open the gate so I could avoid the turnstile. Her response was full of with kindness as she welcomed me through!
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The rest of the day was Disney magic (for the most part) as I rode on rides (some tight but most accommodating) and walked further than I had in years. I shared my experience via Instagram stories (see my highlights) and appreciated the messages people sent me on rides to avoid (podcast episode coming soon).
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I lived my best life at Disneyland because I didn't allow my size to prevent me from making memories with my son. I still had anxiety and wished life as a person of size didn't often have to be so hard - but I did it, and for that I'm proud! ❤️
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#plusmommy #plussizemom #plussizemama #disneymom #disneyplussize #disneyplussizefashion #plussizeblogger #plussizepodcast #plussizelife #effyourbeautystandards

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These mass shootings break my heart and make me never want to leave the house. I know thoughts and prayers aren’t enough but my thoughts are with you if you’re feeling the weight of the world crashing down upon you, too. 💗 Hug your babies (or fur babies) extra tight, and do some good self-care. ⛅️ .
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📷 @shrillhulu #plusmommy #plussizemom #plussizemomma #plussizemama

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