One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from running has
been to love my body. No matter what
state our body is in, if we learn to love it then it will gradually fall into a
better condition. Need to lose
weight? Love your body. Need to eat healthier? Love your body. Need to gain some muscle? Love your body. Your body is in its ideal state but you still
have the innate tendency to focus negatively on it? Learn to love your body.
I’ve never been grossly obese or had serious health issues,
but I have had body image issues. I
still struggle with them. But before I
started running I was soft (dare I say pudgy?).
Had I already had that state of mind then I wouldn’t have had to make
the journey in the first place from focusing on all my “bad” parts and running
to lose 10 pounds and instead being amazed at the wonderful machine my body is
and wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Our bodies truly are amazing. Even if your body is not in its ideal state today,
then I hope you realize that your body is inherently amazing and has the
potential to be strong and healthy. You
don’t have to look like the magazine covers, but you do have to treat your body
with respect and learn what your own PERSONAL BODY IDEAL is. By that I mean learn how your own body looks
and feels the best. Some parts may be
bigger than your friend, some may be smaller or stick out funny or not function
properly, but they were made just for you.
Here is a picture of me today. I (mostly) got enough sleep, I went for a
4-mile run, I ate a good breakfast and lunch, I’ve been nice to people, and I
am feeling good. That doesn’t happen
every day, but the more I do it the more habitual it becomes.
Now go love your body!
I agree completely with you! When you are comfortable with who you are, inside and out, you are the most motivated to be the best person you can be! Well stated. And gorgeous picture!
ReplyDeleteYes! We all need to be happy with what we have. That doesn't mean that loving yourself means we are going to stop improving... it just means we can love our bodies and ourselves in the moment- and then use it as fuel to help us keep that body as healthy and strong as we can. My healthy doesn't look the same as your healthy. And somebody might be closer to their goals than I am, but that's Ok! I can still love this amazing machine that Heavenly Father gave me. Good post. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are gorgeous. I have always thought so! But good for you, it is good to get into healthy habits and maintain them!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments and the compliments! Trying to make our bodies better by hating them is just setting ourselves up for disappointment and unfulfilled goals. It felt good to write my thoughts down.
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