I know I'm not the only person who struggles with body image. Some days I love my body and think I look great and other days I get really down about it. It's true I workout a lot but I also LOVE food and don't always have great self control. During quarantine this has been especially hard since all the gyms are closed. I've tried hard to keep up with my fitness routine but there's no way I'm working out 6 to 7 days a week like I had been previously so I've gotten a little frustrated with myself. I've noticed some of the progress I had been making disappearing and that was even more frustrating. I was disappointed in myself questioning how in the world I have no problem going to the gym but when it comes to pushing myself alone I just don't do it or I do it well one week and lose it the next. It's been a bit of a roller coaster and if you've ever felt that way before you know it messes with you.
Thank goodness I have a husband that loves me for who I am, what I look like and isn't afraid to tell me like it is. We were cooking dinner the other night and I was complaining about my stomach (you know what I'm talking about) and he immediately responded telling me to be grateful that I have a life that allows me to look that way. I stopped dead in my tracks. It was his take on the saying "there are starving kids in Africa" and although that is such a cliché it really hit me at that moment because I know he knows what it feels like to literally be starving. We've had many conversations where he tells me stories about what it was like for him growing up in Mexico not having what I've always had right at my finger tips. Although he didn't change me overnight, I'm grateful he was able to put it into perspective for me. I know I'll still have ups and downs and some days it will be better than others but that's just part of the journey of learning to appreciate who we are and what we have.
Timing really is a funny thing. As I was scrolling through the internet looking for my next blog post I came across this article at msn.com from Prevention.com about 21 real women who have learned to love their bodies and just knew I had to share. Below are some of the take-a-ways I got from the article but you can read all 21 here.
- Happiness is accepting your flaws
- Your curves and wrinkles make you beautiful
- Cellulite is a natural thing (We need to be reminded of this one much more often!)
- It's all about balance
- Focus on the things your body allows you to do
- Confidence is how you feel not how you look
- Loving yourself is more than just your shape
- Do something that makes you smile every day and you'll love yourself forever