February Theme--Love

If someone asked you what you love about your body, how would you answer? Would you roll your eyes at the person and snort out a "not much". Would you say a particular part, but in truth, it is a lie. Would give a laundry list of what you hate?

I've done all of the above.

We have a hard time accepting who we are, don't we? We can go on and on about how big our thighs are, how much junk in the trunk we have or how we just can't seem to be "skinny" no matter how hard we try. We beat ourselves up for not living up to some ideal, whether it's some image from the media or some image we have concocted in our heads as ideal. Or we want to be like "fill in the blank."

Why do we as women have such a hard time accepting and loving ourselves for where we are? Why can't we celebrate what is good about our bodies first, instead of kicking ourselves in the gut? What do we really accomplish by this?

I would constantly beat myself up or compare myself to others, wondering why can't I be the weight I was in law school or look like a few of my thinner friends. If someone told me I looked great, I would just laugh and say, "Yeah, tell it to my thighs!" I would bitch because I wasn't meeting some ideal, instead of loving and embracing what I do have.

I think having a chonic illness has made loving myself more profound. Because of the RA, I can't do many things that I used to do when I was at my "fighting weight", I can't run, kick-box or ski anymore. I had to learn how to do things that would not impact my health. This has led me to appreciate my body even more, in that appreciate what I can do. I have learned to love the "me" of now instead of waiting to love the "me" of the future.

What do I love?

I love my legs in that they are strong and muscular. My Husband often comments that he wishes he had my calves. Years of walking, running and figure skating have given me great legs that can rock a pair of heels.

I love my arms, shoulders and back, becuase the are defined and strong. Seeing the definition in my arms makes me feel powerful!

And, I love my curves. It means that I have a shape and according to my Husband, curves are very sexy!

Will I still dislike parts of my body, probably. But I have made a promise that this year, I will stop focusing on what I hate and more on what I love.

So, I am asking you to think really hard about what you do love about your body. Take part in the survey at the side bar.

Embrace and celebrate you. You are beautiful.