What compels people to reduce their caloric intake so low that they starve themselves, to work out so hard that it takes the joy out of it, to use their hard earned paycheck for unnecessary cosmetic surgery, to worship models because they are a size 0? I know many of us women are guilty of this, but why?I workout, I eat healthy, and I have a healthy love life, but why am I still obsessed with loosing weight or changing characteristics of my body? Why do I care if a certain pair of jeans make by butt look big? Or that I will never look like a Victoria Secret's model in a swimsuit. In all honesty does anyone notice or care besides me?
How has ones own body image become so distorted? Why can't we be the strong independent women like we fought to be, when it comes to loving our body? Why can't we workout because we love the way it makes us feel, or order the salad because that is what we want to eat and not what we "should" eat.
How many times have you compared yourself to other women? I wish I had her long legs, I wish I had her beautiful hair, I wish I had her boyfriend. Why do we focus so much on what we don't have, instead of being grateful for what we do have.
How can we so quickly tear ourselves apart, but find it so hard to give ourselves a compliment? And when a compliment is given to us, we don't even know how to accept it.
The point of my ramblings today, is that I am surrounded by beautiful, intelligent women every day, but so many of them are so caught up in a body image. They feel guilty when they enjoy food that maybe they shouldn't be eating, or if they miss a day at the gym. They cover themselves up when in a swimsuit, or wear clothes that hide their body instead of embracing who they are.
I think the most beautiful women out there are the ones that are happy with who they are. The ones that do things that make them happy and don't obsess over things that are out of their control.
I am as guilty as most of the women out there, if not more so. I could write a huge list of things that I would change in a heart beat about my physical appearance and a very short list of things that I love about my body. But face it, I was born the way I am, and I am surrounded by amazing people not because of what I look like, but for who I actually am. I am not defined by my looks, except for in my own head.
Today, I take a vow, I will love my body for what it is. I will not obsess over things that I can not change and I will be grateful for all the positives in my life. I will work out because I can and I love the way I feel when I do. I will eat a salad because that is what sounds good. I will not let an outfit wreck my day. I will "drop it like it's hot," not for anyone else or for any other reason than for me.
I will learn how to be happy with what I got, because really that is all I need.
Pura Vida!
Ali this post really made me smile at the end. You just reminded me once again why you are my best friend in the whole wide world. I love you for who you are, your personality, your support you provide to me, as well as the ongoing acceptance of me. You are right it's not what one looks like, it is what is inside that counts.
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