“You have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise Hay
As we enter bathing suit season, I encourage you to look in the mirror with loving eyes and grace. Women go through so many changes that can impact weight from having babies to hormonal imbalances or stressful periods of time in our lives. It is easy to look at our bodies after having babies and wonder “Why haven’t I bounced back like everyone else? What is wrong with me?” You are not defective! Our bodies are constantly evolving and changing and that is perfectly normal and natural. I know that changing mindsets and undoing societal pressures is a huge undertaking. I too am working on loving the body that I am in. Some days are better than others, but it’s time to be thankful for all this vessel does for us!
Out of all the aspects of a person, their body is the least interesting thing about them. When I think of a loved one, I couldn’t care less about how much they weigh. I want to know what their latest hobby is, their thoughts on a good book, how their kids are doing, etc. I care about the person. If we treated ourselves the way we treat our friends, our confidence would be through the roof. Each of us is a dynamic, three-dimensional person. Our stories are not measured by fluctuating and changing numbers on a scale.
“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.”- Emma Stone
Last year, I decided to purchase a bikini for the first time in 10 years for a family beach trip even though I had gained some pandemic weight. I LOVED the cut! I felt beautiful and chose to embrace myself. I was so glad that I did. Everybody has a beach body! You don’t have to crash diet to get ready for summer, you are beautiful exactly how you are. When you are brave and confident, it allows others who look like you to also find that bravery and confidence to love the skin they are in.
You deserve to play on the beach or jump in the pool with your family without the constant internal critique of yourself. We only get one life. In the grand scheme of things, counting every calorie and being mean to ourselves for enjoying delicious food is not living. Take that picture with your babies even if you are 20 pounds heavier than you would like to be. You and your children deserve to have pictures documenting their childhood with YOU in them. Show your daughters and sons how to love their bodies in all their forms.
