Awhile back I asked What do you love about your body? for the question of the week (my God that was a year an half ago.. how time flies!)
The point was to get us to stop focusing on what we hated about the image in the mirror and start appreciating our bodies for all the wonderful things it can do for us. Many of you that have been reading for awhile know my story and how my discontent with my body started 15 years of unhealthy yo-yo dieting.
I’m hear to say I’m not "cured." I still have negative body thoughts after a 70lb weight loss. I STILL have nagging little "feel fat" moments. Yes. STILL. I’m a work in progress and have a feeling I will always fight these thoughts.
Always.
I’ve gotten better. I no longer allow the feelings to guide my food choices. I value myself now too much to do that. But working to love yourself IS work for those of us with histories. And forcing yourself to look at the things you love and reinforce those thoughts is a powerful tool in our weight loss journeys. You all know my feeling of self acceptance before weight loss, right? Even if you are unhappy YOU must work on loving yourself now or I’m convinced your weight loss efforts are doomed. Sorry, I don’t mean to sound so dismal but it’s true. Those of us that get into the yo-yo diet cycle of hell…
…it’s the only way.
So where is this all coming from? Well my good friend MizFit posted about National Love Your Body Day. Which is TODAY! by the way. And her post led me to Mish’s amazing, courageous post called Exposed.
She had the courage to do something I’ve been considering for years but, frankly, have been too chicken to do. Yes… chicken.
But this is too important for me to hide. These feelings I have, my body after weight loss and surgery, are me.
So my answer to the "Why do you love your body?" question is the same as it was a year and a half ago…
…what I love about my body is that it is healthy, strong, and has the ability to change. I love that my body has grown and nurtured a life. And I love that my body allows me to enjoy life to the fullest, I know not everyone is that lucky.
To that I add this
This is it. This is me. And as I work on accepting myself through this blog as I always have I hope to inspire you. If you have a blog do an "Exposed" post. Make a positive statement about your body. Get your readers to do the same. Imagine a world where the everyday body became the visual norm NOT what we see in magazines. Imagine growing up in a world where a young girl can see her body in a positive role model that didn’t focus on negativity about that body as they compare it to some absurd cultural norm but instead sees someone that looks like them and loves themselves unconditionally.
Maybe I’m being naive but I think this can work. I think this can make a difference. And as I write this with tears streaming down my face I know that this is what I needed to do for me.
I know it’s hard but now it’s your turn. Why do YOU love your body? What do you love about it? Are you willing to expose yourself?
38 Responses to Why do you love your body? Roni’s Exposed Post.
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I Published a Cook Book!
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What's Cooking in my kitchen?
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
This is great Roni.
Thank You.Never in a MILLION years did I think that I would reach this many people. Tears rollin’ girl. Good ON you!
Thank you Roni, for having the courage and the voice to inspire me and so many others.
Wow, that’s a great post. My cousin and I once were around a table having drinks and we asked each other that same question (2 woman and 1 male). My cousin (male) responded by saying he loved his feet. I thought he would say something else and I nearly fell of my chair from laughter. But as he explained to us why he loved his feet. They carried him to work each day during his walk, he was able to run… his list went on and I mus say, he opened my eyes and I now appreciate my feet.
Your blog has truly inspired me over the years.
I love the picture. You look amazing and I love what you have to say about your body.
I love my legs, they are strong and have carried me through all my marathons.
I could never take the picture that you did and post it on here. While I am proud of how far I have come, I still see my imperfections. I look forward to the day where I am not bothered by my puffy waist or saggy skin from 90 pounds of weight loss.
Your best post ever.
You’re inspiring. I just did my own Exposed post in honor of you and Fat Talk Free Week!!!!
Unbelievable. I love it.
Awesome post, Roni. Thank you for being such an inspiration! I know I’ve said this before, but I can’t say that enough!!!
What a great post. I need to do one of these before week’s end. Thank you :)
I hope to one day have to courage to post a picture like this on my blog. But I do love that you are taking this and inspiring people just like Mish did.
I love my body because it is far stronger than any doctor has told me I could be.
This is so good!
what a beautiful photo Roni! You have a lot to be grateful for, thanks for your honesty and bravery. Even though you have a rockin bod I know it’s not easy to put it out there for all to see. Nice job. :)
AMAZING POST RONI!
Thought I have gained 25lbs in the past 6 months (due to stress and me being lazy) I am still going to do a post like this when I get home from work.
I need to be honest with myself and “bare” myself to the world if I am going to be a truthful blogger.
Nice blog as for me. It would be great to read a bit more concerning that matter.
Way To Go, Roni! I TOTALLY Agree that We Must Love Ourselves TODAY….In The Beginning of a Weightloss Journey Because The “Inside Light” and “Self-Love” Is what will help us Reach Our Goals!! Well Done, My Friend…WELL DONE!!!!
Dr. Mo
You inspire me again. I exposed. My husband even happily took pictures thinking that it was wonderful that I could do this. We can all get there. I think that you are the giant and we are standing on your shoulders.
Love it! Thanks for being so honest and inspiring! :)
You made me cry. Literally. I needed this so badly today. THANK YOU.
You and I are on the same page. I have been thinking a lot lately about body image and where we are and how we should all just appreciate ourselves more! Check out my blog as well if you get the chance. Thank you for opening the dialogue – women need this!
Roni,
You are an amazing inspiration to so many people everyday!
Blessings on you, my friend. Thanks for being so transparent!
You truly are the “real deal”!
Thanks again!
AWESOME post, Roni! I so needed to read this right now.
Hi Roni. I just found your blog through a link from Caitlin and what an amazing first post for me to read. My struggle is so similar to yours. Thank you for this!
What an incredible post!!!!!!!
You ROCK Roni! What an awesome post and great topic.
I’m definitely my own worst critic. I’m hard on myself when I look in the mirror. I guess I just have high expectations of myself. But I never beat myself up over it and I don’t go to extreme measures to lose weight.
I also never compare myself to others. I may see a picture as inspiration for improvement, but I don’t try to ‘look’ like someone else.
I appreciate your comments about the images of women in magazines. I agree that it would be nice to have a mix of normal, healthy women gracing the covers. I think we should be clear on what the ‘norm’ is because our ‘norm’ is rapidly becoming unhealthy and I’m not sure if that’s the best thing to be splashing across magazines as something to aim for.
I’ve been seeing a lot of coverage from the fashion industry in Quebec Canada where they are adding more and more women who fit the ‘norm’ that I think you are referring to. This could be the best thing that happens to the modeling industry. It really is great to see women who may be 20 pounds overweight walking long the runway looking confident and proud. We really need to see more of this.
I love the message of your post. Loving yourself could be the most important first step in a fat loss journey. Love the person that you are and the person you are becoming.
I wrote a post about this topic almost exactly one year ago called What Do You Love Most About Yourself http://fatlossquickie.com/blog/what-do-you-love-the-most-about-yourself/
The more that you love yourself, the more you want to treat yourself and your body well. So although there are times when I look in the mirror and am not satisfied with my physique, I still love myself and I love that I have the power and abilities to sculpt my physique and improve my health. It’s really an incredible gift that we have, to be able to transform our body. There are limitless ways that we can improve our health. That fascinates the heck out of me.
So to answer your question…
Why do I love my body? Because it allows me to experience life to the fullest with my children. Because it’s built to hold my wife perfectly in my arms.
What do I love about my body? That it has the potential for greatness and can always improve.
Am I willing to expose myself? I think I do that every day… so heck ya ;)
Thanks for your realness and openness Roni.
Scott Tousignant
I really appreciated this post and I love this message. One of the other blogs I read was talking about loving her body and loving her brain (ie not doubting your mental abilities). I like this idea and I sometimes need the reminded that I am a smart, confident, and capable person.
You’re beautiful and awesome, Roni! If I had a blog I might just do it… You are so inspiring and have helped me through my own path to becoming healthy and fit (down 52 lbs now, almost there!). I will never be able to thank you enough!
Simply amazing–this brought tears to my eyes! On a related note, you look absolutely fantastic!! :)
your really amazing :) wish i had the courage to do somethin like this
Great post Roni! Now as for me doing this, I have to say I am too embarrassed. I know, I know, I need to love my body. And yes, I am soooo proud of the things my body has allowed me to do. But there still exists the “but”…..a combo of being embarrassed at what I let myself become prior to losing 50+ pounds and some disappointment at still not being at goal. Perhaps I will overcome my fears one of these days and post it.
You are awesome, Roni!!!!
This is a fantastic post. Like many of the others, I am not only delurking to post, but to say one day I hope to be able to do a post like this.
I so appreciate how you always inspire and challenge us! My first thought was “she is so amazing!” and my second thought was “but I could never do that!!” and my third thought “But why couldn’t I do that? What is holding me back?” Still working through it in my head, but that’s the point.
You have every reason in the world to love your body. You are beautiful. Truly.
Amazing post. :)
Oh my god I did it I’ve Been Exposed
Thank you for being an inspiration. Let’s change the world!
Wow! You have a great body. This is a great idea :)
Love love love!!