Learn to Love Your Body

Bathing suit season is right around the corner, gyms are full of New Year's resolutions, and I hear about a new diet someone is trying every other day. I want to write this post for all you ladies (or gents) out there who talk down to your body, who pick it apart, and who think it will never be good enough for today's high and very hard to meet standards.

If you have read this blog for awhile you may know that I suffered from anorexia for four years. It is not something I glamorize or am proud of--instead I share this with you so you can learn from my darkness. And that is what that time period was--total darkness. Through the grace of God, my amazing treatment team, and the support of loved ones, I have been recovered for 5 years and I am VERY proud of that :).

I still struggle with body image and self-worth sometimes--but I want to stand up to those negative thoughts and say that WE ARE ALL ENOUGH--just as we are. Yes, I am all for health and striving to live a lifestyle of moderation, but please cut yourself some slack when it comes to trying to reach perfection. Be kind to your body and treat it with the respect it deserves.

I want to maybe give people out there the strength to love what you got--curves, tall, skinny, short, wide, or whatever it may be! I had to accept that my behind will never fit in size 2 pants (at least by doing it healthy) and I may never lose those pesky 5 extra pounds--but its OK! I want to empower women to cheer each other and yourself on in the race towards self-acceptance--because I promise, it is so worth it.

Here are some ways I can appreciate the thing my body IS (not the things it may be lacking) and what accepting it has helped me accomplish. Your list may be totally different--but I encourage you to take the time today to make your own list of all the reasons your body is good and helpful--and accept it as much as you possibly can :).

{I was strong enough to climb Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica}

{I let my guard down and let a man love me and see my flaws--and he still married me!}

{I had a blast exercising in moderation--and I got to do the fun 5k Color Run with some of my besties!}

{I don't hold back now if I want to splurge a little--like when in Chicago and have the chance to eat Deep Dish Pizza...ah-mazing!}

{I got to celebrate my sister going to nursing school and my first "big girl" job!}

{O and I started this blog--which was huge and scary and leaves you open for some judgement! But it has been amazing and awesome and such a blessing. I have had support from family and friends--and the blogging community is kinder than I ever imagined!}

I know this was a lengthy post--so Thank You for reading. I hope it touches and challenges some of you to see your body and your self-worth in a little bit different light :)

Have an amazing weekend!

Linked with:
That Friday Blog Hop, What I'm Loving Friday, Three-Fer Thursday