When I learned that today had been declared "Love Your Body Day", I knew I wanted to write something about it, but I was kind of stumped. I've talked a bit about size acceptance, and more recently, about being awesome. What else could I possibly have to say on this topic? Let's see...
Earlier this year, I had a health scare. Ultimately, it turned out to be not serious, but I did have to make some changes to medication I was taking. Those changes resulted in me gaining 20 pounds in four months. I was...not pleased to realize that. It was discouraging. I felt defeated, as if all of my efforts in healthy eating and exercise were for nothing. I'm no slave to the scale, but seeing those numbers creep up, instead of remaining steady, started to make me feel bad about myself.
But then I recognized the trap I was falling into. I was allowing the negative to invade my thoughts, allowing the anti-awesome to win. So my body has changed again...now what? Instead of dwelling on the downsides, I needed to figure out how it operates now, and go forward. It's a process, but I'm working it. I've lost 5 pounds since I started to figure it out, which is nice. But far more importantly, I feel better and more comfortable about this new version of me - regardless of whether those 20 pounds go away or not.
And really, that's the key to loving your body and loving yourself, I think. You need to accept the way your body looks and functions as just another part of life, frustating as it may sometimes be, and figure out the ways to work with it that best give you the fullest life you can possibly have! Diet, activity level, self-care - all of these things are very individualized, and I can't give you the right answer for you. But I urge you to find out, and learn to love your body. No one can see the number on the scale or the tag inside your jeans. Why let that rule how you feel? The smile on your face, meeting other people's eyes, letting them know you're comfortable in your own skin - those things are worth much more in the world than any random numbers.
Be confident, be happy, be loving, and above all, be AWESOME.
You are AWESOME! Thank you for such a lovely post!
Posted by: Medha | October 19, 2011 at 07:40 PM