I am not a page in a magazine, a model or a beauty queen. What I am is real – not perfectly airbrushed or spray tanned. I can’t fit in a bikini or wear short shorts and halter tops. Sure I might be what some call fluffy, but that fluff doesn’t define me.
I have curves and lumps that others don’t have. That’s okay. It’s part of my package today. I may or may not have the same outside tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year. That doesn’t matter so much.
In younger years, this wasn’t the case. I have learned that who I am is not a number on a scale or the size of my clothes. Who I am is the sum of my character and personality. I am intangible.
By focusing on this fact, I have been able to love myself more and more. By loving myself, I am able to give me not only what I need but also what I deserve.
My body is my home. It holds me tight and carries me around. When I look in the mirror, I can see love. I was conceived in love by my parents. Why should I hate? Even if this wasn’t the case, is this cause for hate? What can I solve by hating myself?
There are things about my body that I would like to change – that I’m working at changing. Through hate, the changes are harsh and demanding – unrelenting. Through love, I can accept myself where I am and do what is necessary to lovingly move toward my goals in healthy ways.
As my body changes, I gain even more appreciation for the fantastic machine it is. I stand in awe of my body that it is able to do all that it does for me, which causes me to take better care of it. It’s a cyclical effect.
The more I appreciate my body – the more I love it – the more I want to exercise and feed it properly. My desire to go on long bike rides, practice yoga, run, lift weights, etc. expands as the love for me does likewise.
This post is part of the 2011 Love Your Body Day Blog Carnival
Amazing timing on this post (for me, my eternally harsh critic). Very well written as well.
Reading it I feel you have grasped an understanding of the journey toward loving yourself.
I need to get myself back on that track. It definitely makes the unrelenting workouts worth it and the results something to celebrate rather than brush off as “not enough”.
I’ve been moving more into pilates and yoga recently, do you have any favorites? I like pigeon after a hard workout myself
Thank you for this.
Pigeon is a great post workout pose. I also enjoy forward folds and downdogs.
I love the positivity here. You accept that there are things you want to change and note you are working on them…. great attitude!
Thanks for the comment, Deb! I try hard not to dwell less on my failures and more on not repeating them. I’m not always successful at it, but it helps a lot to keep that a goal/focus. Sorry I’ve been busy. I must catch up on your blog!