Friday, January 31, 2014

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 HopWhat I'm Loving FridayThree-Fer Thursday

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13 comments:

  1. Congrats on the 5 yrs!! Great post and so so true, especially this time of year!

    agirlandhersparkles.blogspot.com

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  2. Thanks for sharing this... it's really hard and scary to open up like that and I commend you for doing so! Congrats on all the light God has shown into your life!
    xoxo,
    Nikki at www.bedazzlesafterdark.com

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  3. Tori, as your former college roommate I cannot tell you how HAPPY and PROUD this entry makes me. You have always been beautiful but it was hard to see you so stressed and critical of yourself. I thought of you often after you left Ohio State, and worried a lot too. What a challenge to conquer. You are an imspiration for all women!-Kimberly

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  4. LOVE this post! Thanks for letting us into your life and allowing us to see your vulnerability. It's been said that for every one negative comment/thought, it takes SIX positive to cancel it out!! Seems to me it's easier to be kind to ourselves rather work twice as hard to undo all the negativity! You've come a long way doll! You are beautiful, inside and out! And no doubt an inspiration to many!!

    Hugs...

    Connie

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  5. What an inspiring post Tori! I think every person struggles with their own body issues and it is great to remind yourself that no matter what you are still beautiful! Everything in life is about moderation and you just need to except you will never be perfect! Thanks for that reminder!


    <3 Shannon
    upbeatsoles.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks for sharing your story!! I need to remind myself of your message and work hard to be nicer to myself :) It's an ongoing challenge but well worth the investment.

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  7. very inspiring story! i often give myself a hard time for not meeting my goals on losing weight. That i forget to enjoy what i have already!

    $25 Target GC Giveaway

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  8. This was so good. I appreciate your honesty especially after I've spent the last month beating myself up over not losing that holiday weight. My best friend suffered from anorexia/bulimia and it was absolutely terrifying. I could tell her every day she was beautiful but she never could believe me. :( Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Great post!!! Perfect thing to read on a Saturday morning when I don't feel like doing anything all day but my list is getting longer by the minute!!! Hope you have a great weekend girl!!!!!


    Brianna

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  10. Love this post and couldn't agree more, there are so many ways we can appreciate what our body IS and not just focus on what we want it to be. I have definitely fallen into the trap of diets/overexcercising/limiting what I can eat, and it's terrible. I want to work on loving my body more the way it is too, should've made that a resolution

    Miche from Buttons and Birdcages

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  11. Wow, this was a fantastic post. I'm sure it wasn't easy to share these sorts of things about yourself with the Internet!

    I know that each one of us struggles with out own issues with ourselves and our image, since we're all so hard on ourselves. The blogging community is really awesome, so hopefully in some small way, it helps!

    Happy Saturday :)

    Jackie

    Something About That

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  12. Such an awesome post! I've always wanted to do the Color Run but I always chicken out because I'm afraid I'll pass out if I run that far LOL! Your wedding dress looks gorgeous!!


    <3,
    Pamela
    http://sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

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  13. This was such a great post. I know it is so hard when you have something like that to talk about it to others. I think your honestly will inspire others!! I am so impressed by your strength.


    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

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Thank you all so much for you amazing comments and for stopping by the blog--it means the world to me. I do my very best to reply to every comment by e-mail :) Have an awesome day!