Loving Your Body

So I try really hard to focus on being strong, not skinny. On losing weight for health, not vanity. And most of the time that’s my mindset. I think the reason I lost weight and have kept it off and have maintained a healthier lifestyle is that I changed my mindset. But sometimes I still struggle with loving my body. Especially when that body has seen better days…

It’s not about the number on the scale…

When I’m struggling with loving my body just the way it is I try to remember a few things. The fact that it’s not about the number on the scale or a few vanity pounds being one of them.

I recently did a post about whether you should weigh yourself or not. I use the scale when it serves me and avoid it when it doesn’t. But right now I know I’m about ten pounds heavier than I was this time last year.

I know the big picture is not about that number. Most days I give myself credit for all that I’m doing right for my health. I remember how far I’ve come and I cut myself some slack for packing on some pounds during a year that was difficult on so many levels.

But when your clothes don’t fit and your muffin top is muffin-ing it’s not fun.

Don’t let comparison steal your joy

So I also try to avoid comparing myself with anyone. In real life or on TV or Instagram or magazines. (That mom on the beach with impossibly long legs and abs that would make a fitness model envious? The one wearing the crazy bikini and being kind of perfect at mothering her children? Her too.)

I’m a firm believer that you really, really, really have to avoid comparing yourself to other people. On a basic level, it’s hard to compete with Kate Upton in terms of appearance, Oprah Winfrey in terms of success, etc.

But I’m at the beach right now. At the beach with an extra ten pounds, frizzy hair, and some bad eating habits taking hold. I was at a restaurant the other day that shares space with a kite surfing place. There were lots of really fit people. Fit people in skimpy bathing suits. Fit people in skin-tight athletic water gear. And there I was, eating my chicken quesadilla and feeling like a schlub.

Those damn vacation mirrors…

So my bathroom at home only has a medicine cabinet mirror. And at the house I spend a lot of my summer in, I could get away without seeing myself from the chest down for the whole summer. I never realized what a blessing this has been. A blessing and a curse.

At the house we’re staying in this week, I am treated to a full body view every time I get in the shower. Insert scared face emoji.

This damn mirror is reminding me of all my slacking…every lemon cupcake, every beer, chip, every cup of ice cream. It’s like getting a cold glass of water thrown in my face every time I want to take a shower.

Not fun. Stupid bathroom.

What will I do? Well, I do love an outdoor shower and there is one here. No mirror in sight! But yesterday that wasn’t an option and it was me versus the mirror again. So I made myself pause and think kind thoughts rather than tumble down the rabbit hole of self-deprecation.

I’ll still choose the outdoor shower when I can, but I need to come to terms with loving that naked fluffy girl, too. She usually wears a bra and underwear when she looks in the mirror at home and those two small articles of clothing make a huge difference.

But this body is strong and has grown four children in it. I think of all those things and I try to feel proud of how much stronger this body is now than it ever was.  And then I run positive thoughts through my head and do my best at loving my body.

How do you get a beach body?

So here I am at the beach feeling fluffy and a little disappointed in myself. Disappointed for doing things that don’t fit in with the person I’ve become and disappointed that I’m falling prey to comparison and letting myself be unkind to my body.

What am I doing? I’m putting on my bathing suit and I’m making myself stand a little taller. When that bathing suit is on, I’m doing my best not to cross my arms over my belly or hide under a towel when I’m hot.

I’m strutting my fluffy stuff all over this beach. Well, strutting might be a strong word. But I am walking with more confidence than I feel right now. I’m throwing off my cover-up and going in the water.

I frequently remind myself of all my body can do.

And I workout…

I’m keeping up with my workouts as much as is reasonable when traveling around in the summertime. Because they make me feel stronger, they put me in a better mood, they’re my foundation. I know I need to eat better- for health primarily, but also to feel less fluffy- but I’m not beating myself up for anything. I’m loving my body and when that doubt creeps in I do my best to redirect.

Loving your body isn’t always easy. Even when you get yourself to a better place mentally and physically. It’s easy to slip into the habit of not-loving.

But it’s so important. Whether your body is where you want it to be or not you need to try to love it. Love it while you work to change it, love it while you continue to take care of it. Love it and be kind to it.

It would be a waste of precious time to go around hating yourself. To let insecurities keep you from enjoying wonderful summer days. To let some extra weight keep you from getting in the water with your kids or enjoying the sun on your skin. It would be unkind to yourself- to your body and your mind. So push down those negative thoughts and do your best to think loving, nourishing things. And get out there and strut your stuff.

What do you do to turn off the negative thoughts? When you have to put on a bathing suit, like it or not, and get out there with your fluffy self? I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

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