For the longest time, this body and I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship. There have been days when I hated every little thing about it. And there have been days when I was in awe of what this body could do. But there have also been days when this body (or actually, I guess it was the scale) made me want to cry. Then again, there have been days when I've been pretty happy with this body of mine.
"Love" seems like such a strong word. I love my kids. I love my husband. I love Mexican food. Wait, okay, I don't love Mexican food as much as I love the Hubs and the kidlets. But you get my drift... Love seems like too strong of a word to describe how I feel about my body, right?!?
However, when I look back at what this body of mine has done, I can't help but thank God for it! This body has harbored and grown two of the sweetest kids in the world.
This mushy midsection I have doesn't at all resemble the tight abs I had when I got married . . . but it sure does make a soft pillow for my Little Guy's head when he's not feeling well. My body will never be the same as it was before giving birth, but it fed both of my babies and gave them all of the vitamins and nutrients that only breast milk can.
These legs aren't long and willowy like Stacy Keibler's, but they get the job done. They can run when I make them. I'm fortunate enough to have excellent health. Sure, I get the occasional cold or sore throat, but that's nothing to complain about when you see people fighting for their lives.
It's not perfect, but it's the body God gave me and I love it! Too many women and girls pick apart their bodies every day. I'm working hard on changing my own personal perspective because I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking she has to be skinny or look a certain way to be pretty. Instead of trying to "get skinny", I'm working out to be healthy and eating right for the same reasons. I want My Little Miss to grow up, knowing that God made her in his image and she is perfect that way! No matter what you look like, remember that your body can do amazing things. We should embrace these bodies God gave us and not be so hard on ourselves!
So, instead of focusing on what you dislike about yourself, tell me, what do you love about your body? Is there a certain feature you really like? Or are you amazed by something your body has done?
Pregnant with Little Guy at about 36 weeks
Pregnant with Little Missy at about 34 Weeks
This mushy midsection I have doesn't at all resemble the tight abs I had when I got married . . . but it sure does make a soft pillow for my Little Guy's head when he's not feeling well. My body will never be the same as it was before giving birth, but it fed both of my babies and gave them all of the vitamins and nutrients that only breast milk can.
Working out on my honeymoon in 2005 (the date on the pic is wrong)
These legs aren't long and willowy like Stacy Keibler's, but they get the job done. They can run when I make them. I'm fortunate enough to have excellent health. Sure, I get the occasional cold or sore throat, but that's nothing to complain about when you see people fighting for their lives.
It's not perfect, but it's the body God gave me and I love it! Too many women and girls pick apart their bodies every day. I'm working hard on changing my own personal perspective because I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking she has to be skinny or look a certain way to be pretty. Instead of trying to "get skinny", I'm working out to be healthy and eating right for the same reasons. I want My Little Miss to grow up, knowing that God made her in his image and she is perfect that way! No matter what you look like, remember that your body can do amazing things. We should embrace these bodies God gave us and not be so hard on ourselves!
So, instead of focusing on what you dislike about yourself, tell me, what do you love about your body? Is there a certain feature you really like? Or are you amazed by something your body has done?
33 comments:
Tiff this is an EXCELLENT post! It pretty much brought me to tears. I wish more women thought the way you do.
I enjoy reading your blog everyday while I have my coffee :D
Such a great post Tiffany! You should link up over at Two Eyes in the Mirror today. It's Love Your Body Day. This post would be perfect!
It is amazing at what a woman's body can do, especially having children! You look adorable pregnant :)
This is a beautiful post! You have such a positive attitude and viewpoint that is both Christ-like and infectious! Thanks for posting this!
North Meets South
This is a wonderful post Tiffany! Thank you for sharing and I have many friends who have the same sort of relationship as you do w/your body. You look fantastic, I cannot believe you have 2 kids, and over time gravity always take its toll... And your two kids are adorable!
i am right there with you. it might not be perfect, but it gave me perfect things!
Great post- you were so beautiful pregnant and are so beautiful now! Healthy instead of skinny- that's where I'm at and I love it!
Tiffany, this is such a wonderful post! It's sad that we as women feel the need to tear apart our beautiful bodies, to matter the shape or size. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! It's so important to embrace what we have been given!
Callie @ unladylikeblog.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing this post today! It really made me think about my body and how I need to change my perspective.
This is such a good way to look at it. Your body does amazing things and it was built to do them. :D
http://www.closet-fashionista.com
What an inspirational post!
I agree that too many women are too critical with their bodies, as long as you work out and eat well and look healthy I think thats all it matters. you look fab in these pictures!
This is a wonderful post and you have the best attitude ever! You look beyond amazing.
Julie
I love my athletic body. But I did laugh and nod about the tummy and "girls" never being the same after kids.
Jenn
Yay! I love this post. Look at those cute babies your body made. Miraculous really. Love it.
xo,
Tracy
AMEN! This was such a beautiful post. It is amazing what the body can do. As women we need to stop putting our bodies down for not looking a certain way. Instead we need to treat it with care & appreciate everything we are able to do, because of the body God has blessed us with :D
-Stephanie of Life and its Other Drugs
http://lifeanditsotherdrugs.wordpress.com
This is a great post! We all need to focus on the positive a little more because it's so easy to fixate on the negative stuff.
Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings
What an amazing post! I very often need to remind myself that my body is a great instrument and that I need to concentrate on what´s amazing on it instead of crying because I´m not as thin / slender as I´d love to be. thanks so much for making me think about this!
xx Ivana
Style in the City
Amen to being healthy! And you are beautiful pregnant or not. You are so right, our bodies are nothing short of miraculous!
Aaaaaaaaand I enjoyed the pics of the kiddos. At least, one of them!
Definitely agree that it's so much better to work out/eat well to be HEALTHY, not skinny. It makes life so much easier and you end up looking and feeling great anyway :) Best of luck! x
You have always and will be a beautiful person inside and out. :o)
I have struggled with body image issues for a long time and am trying hard to get them under control so as to not pass them on to Toots. The fact that I have finally found someone who loves me for ME is helping tremendously! ;o)
Wow Tiffany! What a great post :) I completely agree. It's even more important to display a positive body image once you have a little girl to care for and raise. My daughter Alea's helped me to eat healthier and exercise more because I want to show her the importance of keeping her body healthy, but also work on not talking down about myself so she doesn't feel the need to do so either.
Ok, so everyone just said how much they loved your post (which I totally did too), but they didn't say much about what they love on their own bodies... So, I might sound crazy, but I love the fact that my feet and legs are strong enough to stand for 8 hours a day while I move from kid to kid in the classroom -- also, I think I have a pretty great butt (it's nice and cushy when I get a couple rare minutes to sit - ha ha)!
Yay for body love day!! It's so important for women to be prod of themselves -- and that includes their bodies.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Amazing. I'm glad you've came to appreciate your body for all it can do. And it can do a lot! Carry a baby, give birth, look great on an elliptical machine... :) And much more! I totally appreciate that instead of trying to "get skinny," you want to eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. And, even more than that, I appreciate that you're passing this view down to your children! That's so important. Your kids are very lucky.
Thank you for linking up! Happy Love Your Body Day!
What a moving post! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. :o)
I love this post! I don't have children, but I worry that when I do my body image issues will pass along to them! Thank you for posting this!
great post, God is good yeah? He gave us a beautiful body, we must learn to appreciate it. I do complain about my body parts at times, I'm short and small but I do appreciate that at the same time cuz so far it's been easy to look for clothes. I like your pictures, It's so tender and moving. You're so beautiful Tiffany, you don't need to change a thing!
love,mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
Great post. I love to see the different stages that you have gone through. I'm at the 'honeymoon' stage with my body and have the time to go to the gym, but I know that once kids start coming, things will change. Thanks for keeping a positive outlook, you are beautiful no matter what the scale says!
xo L.
Tiffany this is by the far the best post I have ever seen. Sometimes I wonder to myself too the things my body went through in order to bear my two kids and in the back of my mind there is a glimpse of regret in seeing all the stretch marks, how weak my body has gotten cause and how I get cold easily and can't drink ice cold water even in the summer. But whenever I am getting dressed and my kids see my stretch marks they come over and kiss and ask me does it hurt - everything just fades away. I totally understand where you are coming from. Your kids are beautiful and you are truly blessed to have them!
In regards to law school - go for it! If I can do it than anyone can. From my experience it's a lot of work - I rely on red-bull and at max 3-4 hours sleep a day if that! I am finishing up my last year as an evening student though so I think that's how I am able to have a little bit more lee-way and able to start a blog. I might be hibernating in a couple of weeks though to study for exams. Its definitely hard work and some days I do hate it but I think about the future and the opportunities out there for me and how my kids and family will be proud of me when I finish that it makes things a little better. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help!
http://justtututiny.blogspot.com/
Thu
i'm amazed at the same...that it's been able to bounce back from two babies, put up with all the crazy wild drinking days of the past and still be healthy today. sure, i hate the boob shrinkage and the mushy tums, but all of my "body issues" are nothing compared to those battling life-threatening illnesses.
hmmm...i do like my lips and my feet. those NEVER get FAT, lol!
[oomph.]
JUST the post i needed to read toady. thanks for the insight tiff!! :)
YOURS, MINE AND OURS
You are awesome, lady! Love this post with all of my heart :)
Post a Comment