I've never been one to flaunt my body, or have a hey look at me attitude. Truth is, I'd rather people not look at me. Well, not my body.
My daughter keeps me in check. When I make comments about not feeling comfortable, or fat or ugly she tells me that I am beautiful, thin and pretty. God bless her!
Having a daughter, I understand the power of my words and my own self image. I know that it isn't healthy for me to speak to myself in a negative manner and I certainly do not want her to over hear me. I have a deep desire for my daughter to look at herself and smile, to love herself, to be comfortable in her own skin. I have a desire for her to want to care for her body and keep it healthy and whole. I have the same desires for myself.
After going to the doctor a few months back and seeing a view of myself in a mirror, which wasn't pretty - I made a choice. I was going to embrace that body that was looking back at me. I chose to want to love that body, to feed it good foods, to work with it to make it healthier and learn to appreciate it and the gift in having it. This is my body, I only have one and will not get another. I must love it, take care of it and be grateful it is healthy and it takes care of me!
I have worked very hard over the past few months to change my eating habits. I'm exercising daily and I'm learning to not turn my head when I see myself naked in the mirror. Am I a working toward being a super model? NO. I am working toward being a role model, much more glamorous and important. I have a daughter who looks at me and mimics me. I must be the example of a positive self image. Is it easy, absolutely not! Am I trying? Every single day.
As women, girls, females - it seems we are never truly happy even when we are at our fittest and finest. We find flaws.
I'm going to work very hard on my self encouragement and inspiring myself to appreciate my healthy body, to embrace my bones which hold me upright, the lungs that allow me to breath and the skin that keeps me all together. I'm going to continue to thank the Lord daily for this body which is healthy. I am going to work daily to nurture and take care of me. I'm going to find things I like about my body, like the fact my tummy is flat ~ what a gift! It might not be a big deal, but it's a big deal : ) My elbows are soft and my arms are long. In finding & appreciating the little things I will look past those things that aren't so appealing to me.
Today I strive to love myself & my body, to be an example to my daughter who I love beyond measure. I will thank the Lord for giving me the nudge I needed to be reminded I am beautifully and wonderfully made!