Some Thoughts on Weight and Body Image

Today, while cruising Pinterest, I saw something disturbing...it wasn't just the content either, but the fact that it illustrated a larger issue with our society.  The pinner had put the comment "how she went from dumpy to rockin a bikini" on an image of before and after pictures of a presumably young (headless) woman. In the before picture, the woman appears to be a healthy weight and build. In the after picture, she looks (in my opinion) over-tanned and under-weight. It bothers me that girls are being taught that in order to look good their bones need to be visible. I once heard someone point out that when we see pictures of animals with their skeletons visible people talk about abuse and neglect, but when models or celebrities have protruding hip bones or ribcages they're "sexy".  Now, I realize that some people are naturally thin...that is NOT what I'm talking about. I'm talking about women (especially young, but all really) thinking that they have to starve themselves or spend hours a day in a gym to achieve a particular look.  Our Father in Heaven made us in all shapes and sizes, and we need to learn to love and accept ourselves the way we are. Eat right, be active, and embrace our shape.

That is something that I'm working on. I got to thinking today about the fact that I need to take control of my own body image so that I don't encourage issues in my daughters.  I have been unhappy with my weight for the better part of my life. Even after losing roughly 30 pounds for my wedding, I felt I could stand to lose another 5-10.  I look back now and think simply some toning up would have been sufficient.  What I should focus on is the fact that I felt GOOD and I was enormously HAPPY to be marrying the man I loved (still love).  Yes, my body has changed in the last 13 years and it may never go back to what it was. It has also carried 4 babies, and that man I married...he still thinks I'm beautiful. He makes me FEEL beautiful too; when I'm not self-sabotaging and allow him to.  Our kids think I'm the best mom ever (most of the time) and love me as I am. They also occasionally poke my belly or tell me I should get more exercise, but they don't mean to be offensive.  So, why is it so hard for me to love myself?

I AM working on getting healthier...and I try to focus on that. I try not to call myself fat or say I want to be skinnier in front of the kids, but am I setting a good enough example? Another thing I realized today is that no product is the magic fix for me. Just like no one type of food is the problem.  The problem is my ATTITUDE toward food and my feelings about myself. The answer is to eat smarter and be more active.  It's about finding a balance. It's about learning to love myself as the daughter of God that I am.  It's about being the best ME that I can be...mentally, physically and spiritually because it's all connected.

So, I challenge you (and myself) to work harder to see yourself as God sees you.  To see the strengths instead of the weaknesses...because I am confident that to Him we are ALL beautiful! Then, maybe, once we see ourselves as beautiful and worthy we will start treating ourselves, and each other, better.