Thoughts based on an article I read today about negative talk about yourself affects others. Calling
I am fat.
I'm also beautiful.
They aren't mutually exclusive and one is more a medical definition anyway.
I don't wear a size 0, 4, 6, or even an 8. My pants sizes are in the double digits and I say sizes because I don't wear just one. I buy clothes based on what looks good and makes me feel good. I'm happier and more comfortable with myself now that I have been at those other sizes, and I've been them all. And while I'm an active person, it's because I like the activity and less about fitting into some magical size that is supposed to make me happier.
I worry about my health and thus would be okay if I lose weight while being active. But I'm not so worried (because I get a physical and my numbers look good) that I'm willing to beat myself up for not being active when it's this cold out.
I feel beautiful every day, even on days my hair is a mess and I'm wearing sweats. I feel beautiful because no matter if I'm full make up or make up free, I love my smile. I love my spirit and I know that both are gorgeous. I feel beautiful when my hair is curls that are all over the place and I feel beautiful when I've flat ironed and tamed it into place. I feel beautiful because I know I can be, that spirit matters more than anything on the out side and being comfortable with who you are is far sexier than being a size whatever.
I say I'm fat in front of my nieces and young girls I have influence over. But when I'm chastised for it, or the words no, you're beautiful come out of their mouths I make sure I make them hear the first three sentences of this post.
I am fat. I am beautiful. They aren't mutually exclusive.
I do this so if their pants size or scale creeps higher than they want it to, and even if other women would kill for their size, it eventually will, I want them to hear my voice saying that it doesn't matter. You can still be beautiful.
I'm not a real women have curves kind of person. I'm an embrace who you are, where you are kind of person. If you want to change. Do it. The healthy way. But you should know that if you don't like the you inside now, changing the packaging isn't going to change that.
Learn to love yourself. Love to think you're beautiful even when you just woke up. The rest will follow, because if you love you no matter what, and weight loss is your goal, it will become another way of loving yourself instead of deprivation to become some idea. And if once you love yourself, it's no longer important, then it never was really the problem.