I can NOT believe it’s been a year since the Expose movement started. When I participated I didn’t even realize it was a movement. I was so inspired my Mish’s original post that I immediately wrote my own after reading it. I didn’t even hesitate.
Isn’t there something so powerful and amazing about people with self-esteem? People that don’t allow others to influence who they are or what they want to do. You’ve met people like this. Their self confidence oozing from every pore. It’s not quite ego or cockiness, but an inherent sense of self-respect and confidence.
I always wanted to be one of those people but I thought I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t skinny enough. I wasn’t perfect enough.
Well guess what… I am good enough and so are YOU! Those people we admire so much because of their bodies or self-esteem or confidence also have self-doubt, but the difference is they face their fears. They go after what they want. The live life and they charge it head on.
When I was younger I was jealous of their bodies, but in reality it was only their confidence I really wanted.
Now that I’m 34 it’s much easier for me to see that. My body is what it is and what it always has been…
When I hated myself in college I was in the same body…
At my wedding, same body…
Pregnant with Little Guy, same body…
New mom, same body…
Struggling across the finish line of my first 5k, same body…
A few steps from completing a marathon, same body…
Right now at this very moment, same body…
It was never “perfect” and never will be, but it’s mine and it’s the only one I got.
And you know what? It’s freakin’ awesome! It was always awesome I was just too blind to see it. And right now it’s even more amazing than ever…
because there is a baby in there…
I’ve been fat, skinny, young and if I’m lucky, I’ll get old but in all these states I was and will always be ME and there’s nothing wrong with that.
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70 Responses to Exposed: One Year Later
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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.Like the new look of Roni’s Weigh?
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I loved all of the exposed anniversary posts today…this one the best! You look beautiful, happy & healthy. :)
I love this. You are such an inspiration to me. Keep doing you, because that is what your so good at.
Nope there’s nothing wrong with that!! LOVE IT!!! Love ALL the pictures, it’s a journey through your life, and even though you may not have loved your body – it carried you through your beautiful life!! Happy Anniversary!!
Beautiful post, Ronnie.
I love your wedding gown! BEAUTIFUL!!
i think this post was even more beautiful than your original exposed post. and you are beautiful!
Roni, I love this. You have such a strong, positive way of thinking and I love the points you made here. You’re right, it’s the same body that carried you through so many things. I think it can be so hard for us to remember to love it just the same.
Wonderful!
You are thinner are you not? So same body, but thinner?
I am… but not as thin as I once was nor as fat as I once was. Regardless, that’s not the point Darleen… thinner or fatter I’m still the same person and I will always be the same person. That’s the whole point of the post. Confidence regardless. Loving yourself, regardless.
Same body, wiser person ;) Beautiful
Yay! I love this. I recently came to this realization as well. :)
Yes I understand we should love ourselves – first and not concentrate on physical. However – I still would be more content if I could get rid of 20 lbs
Am I doing anything about that? Stuck – so suppose need to delve into the reasons.
Love it! Love every part of it!
“I would be more confident if _____”
Do you think if you lost the 20 pounds you would replace the blank with something else?
I don’t know about you but I’m tired of filling in that blank.
I can see confidence and pride in your eyes now. Amazing post.
Thank you! I needed that. I am not happy with my body now, but I am working on it. My body is my body and always will be. Even when I get into “my skinny jeans” it will be the same body. The size may change, but my body has done a lot for me. Two very adorable kids and I need to to learn to love that body. Thank you!
The anniversary posts today have been amazing. This was beautifully done. Same body, amazing accomplishments.
Great post, Roni. I think the one-year anniverary posts are even more amazing than their originals.
One thing sure is consistent….your beautiful SMILE. I don’t know you Roni, but i feel that i know enough of you from following you for a few years that when i look at all those photos i don’t see weight, just your caring nature. I’ve followed you for a few years and only recently started commenting. It’s true, all along it’s confidence i’ve been wanting….not the number on the scale that i’m obsessing about. Because i nourish my body with healthy food and exercise i stand up a little straighter and i feel beter about the choices i’m making. The added bonus, my kids refer to shorts and t-shirts as “workout clothes” and want to join in on all the fun things that Mommy and Daddy are doing!
Re-read this statement five times. So true!
“When I was younger I was jealous of their bodies but in reality it was only their confidence I really wanted. “
Love this so much, Roni! You have come so far!
I love this!! I have so many issues with my body but this has made me look at it in a different light , such a great post! : )
First of all. Congrats on the new little one! Our bodies are pretty damn awesome in what we do to them and expect out of them. I’ve embraced mine and even though it’s the same body as it’s always been, it’s healthier than it has ever been before.
Thanks for making cry!! =) No really…thanks, Roni. For everything.
I am a lurker and I never comment, but I wanted to let you know that this entry touched me. This is what I struggle to find…the confidence, the self-acceptance. I feel like this really is the key to weight loss. I started reading your blog for your weightloss tips. However, I found that the longer I follow you here, if becomes less about weightloss tips and more about life tips, mom tips, self-reflection and guidance. Thank you for opening yourself up to strangers and taking the time to being a friend, a sister, an advisor to those that you don’t know are reading.
So beautiful, insightful, and helpful! I love this post!!
Beautiful post.
You look beautiful. I would love to participate in Exposed next year. You’re so right, we only have one body and we need to feel good in our own skin.
I would like to participate in Exposed as well. How does one get involved.
And yes it is time to stop filling in the blank – I would love myself if _______ or I would be happy with my body if ________ and learn to appreciate.
Just do your own post and let Mish know about it by leaving her a comment or telling her on twitter @MisheMarie
Then she’ll link you up!
Well said Roni. I love your current photos… but I can’t wait for baby bump photos. LOL
Thank you Roni, I have about 20 lbs to loose. I am doing it so that my asthma is better controlled, whenever we decide to have a baby my body is strong and ready, and to take better care of myself. I am food journaling and not overly strict on calories, mostly I just look at the daily choices and make new goals to eat wiser the next day. I even passed up a cupcake that wasn’t amazing (learning to only eat treats when they are awesome, not just there) and plan on making healthy versions at home. Thank you for all your inspiration and encouraging others to have a healthy lifestyle, and learn to be content with our current selves.
So true Roni!! Love it!!!
Wow Roni,
just when I think your posts can’t get any better you go and post THAT! I am so touched by your post. I hope to have your wisdom one day!
Love it… you are an inspiration to so many women Roni! Hats off to you and your inner wisdom:)
Roni you are beautiful, this made me teary.
I’d say there’s EVERYTHING right with that! What an awesome post! And the thing is, you’re beautiful and glowing in all those photos (especially that last one) – love it!!!
You look wonderful and it is so obvious how confident you feel. I had such a horrible day and felt so down on myself and this post was a great reminder that a bad day should not make me get down on all the right and good days I have. Thanks!
wonderful post!
So gorgeous, Roni…you inspire me every day!
I had to laugh though. When I first pulled up this page, the header was the close up shot of you with glasses, followed closely by the headless shot of your Exposed post. Looked like a caricature! :)
This post is 103% full of awesome.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! Thank you.
I am so amazed at these posts. You are amazing. Your strength is so inspiring.
Thanks for this awesome post Roni! Love the backwards cap ;) It’s so true that finding confidence is the key, regardless of our body shape or size. Thank you!
this was my first time coming here and the first post I have read. what a beautiful post. I’m going to be sure and come back to follow up. I really enjoyed reading this and watching the videos. keep doin’ ya thing
AWESOME post, Ronnie! Wow! I would have never imagined you in your before pics (although you do look good – you just don’t look like the YOU that I know of!). Thanks for sharing. Inspiring.
D
Wow. You’ve done an amazing job and your message brought tears to my eyes. So true. Thanks for showing us what is really important!
Thanks, Roni! It’s so easy to forget these things and beat ourselves up. You look beautiful, btw!
Thank you Roni! I so needed that! What a great post!
go roni!
I appreciate the post. I am just learning to appreciate me. This is reminder to do just that. This & BTL has been instrumental in my weight loss & health improvement over the last 6 months. I just might make it to goal after all. With a changed mind to go with it!