After reading about it on Kath and Tina’s blog, I had a little sumthin sumthin to say about Love Your Body Day
You name it, I’ve been there.
I’ve been overweight, too thin, exercise-obsessed, calorie fiend, beauty product junkie, women’s magazine connoisseur, trend slave, plastic surgery intrigued… everything.
Looking back, it makes me wish I would have spend less time worrying about what I looked like, how uncomfortable I felt in my own skin, and how much I wanted to have "a body like so-and-so", "clothes like so-and-so"– always too focused on what others thought of me and striving for perfection that doesn’t exist. Because no matter how thin I got, what I had, it was never enough.
Until about 2 weeks ago.
For the first time…. ever…. I’m happy with my body.
Yeah, there are some areas that aren’t as "tight" as I’d like them to be, my nose has a bump on it, and my feet are heinous from years of dancing.. but that’s me.
I’m not sure if it’s something that came with getting older, but instead of looking at myself and thinking about what I’d like to change, I’m grateful.
I have a body that enables me to do whatever I want it to: run, Zumba, chase after the puppies, spin, lift weights, dance it up in clubs, shop, take random adventures with friends…
A healthy body is something that should be celebrated, instead of bashed, which is something I used to do on a constant basis.
Today, be grateful for your health and take a moment to think about all of the amazing things your body has enabled you to do.
Happy Wednesday
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
AMEN! well said!
I hear you on the dancing feet!
I’m so glad so many bloggers are getting the word out about this day
WOW. That’s gorgeous!
Gina, this post is amazing – hooray for feeling GOOD and CONFIDENT about our bodies, and not being afraid to express it. As Caitlin said (above), AMEN!!! :0)
Beautiful post. Thanks for being so postive and admitting you’re happy with yourself, even if you’re not “perfect!”
Great post! thanks for the reminder to focus on all the amazing things our body allows us to do!
Absolutely babe!!! Love it and kudos for hitting that point!
What a beautiful and inspiring post. So glad that you´ve made it to that… my body may not be “perfect” (what is that anyway?) but it´s mine and because of that I’m able to do things that I love… point, that’s so absolutely wonderful and I couldn’t be happier that you’re happy. I’m not quite there yet but I´m working towards that same acceptance. Thanks!
What a great post! I like what you had to say.
I know exactly what you mean, right now I am in lvoe with my body adn that’s the first time I’ve ever been able to say that. I am fit, healthy and active and I am happy! 
Great post – I like your attitude! My dancing feet are nasty too… especially the outsides of both feet. I think from turns?
Oh BTW – You’re now officially tagged. Tell us six random facts or interesting tidbits about you. Ready? Go!
http://fittingbackin.blogspot.com/2008/10/ive-been-tagged.html
Gina,
I just wanted to say I think you really speak for a lot of women out there and thank you for being so honest. As a college student, I know I’m still struggling to find that complete happiness with my body without obsessing with food and exercise, and your blog is a great inspiration for balance! so thanks again
That was amazing gina!! Thanks so much for posting it!
thank you to all of you for your kind words
i kinda went out on a limb, and it’s wonderful to not be chillin out there alone! i hope you all know how much i appreciate your sweet comments 
glad to know i’m not the only one with scary “dancer feet”
catie- thank you SO much. that was TOTALLY me in college… i’ve struggled with body image for a long time and i can’t even tell you how freeing it has been to change it around. you’ll get there!! thank you for reading
did not know about this day:) Now I must celebrate!
Preach it girl… what you wrote is so true! I am thankful everyday that I can go out and do the things I want to do.
P.S. I think you are beautiful!
Thank you for such an inspiring post!
~Erin @ "Vegan & the City"
this was a beautiful post! i used to have an eating disorder and after reading a quote in this one book, i was fed up with abusing myself.
“i finally realized that i wanted freedom more than i wanted to be thin.” -making peace with food.
i’m glad you’re happy with your body now! it’s a great feeling!
i am super proud of you that you have developed this acceptance and pride of your body – excellent post and way to go
it’s something that a lot of people strive for but still can never get there 
What a wonderful, beautiful post!! I think this might be my favorite. I know that so many of are going to relate to this one.
I do think it comes with age. After all of these years, I have only become truly happy with my body since Kennedy was born. Go figure! Now that my tummy will never be as tight as it used to be, I’m finally happy and confident.
My one regret is wasting all of that time analyzing my body and not being happy with it. What a time waster.
Thanks for posting this. I loved it!
joanna and erin- thank you so much for your comments and welcome!!!!! i really appreciate you reading and hope to see you around here more often! joanna, i LOVE that quote. so very true!
thank you, jen! i’ve heard that motherhood can have a positive effect on body image– good to know it’s not just heresy. your comments always make me smile
have a wonderful night!
Fabulous post…just wish I could get there…it is a daily struggle for me to just be happy with me…of course then I eat like a pig and become more miserable each day…I have been reading your blog for a couple of weeks and look at what you eat and think…I could never be satisfied off of that! You are an inspiration girl!
oh gina i am so so happy for you! congratulations!!!!
you are such a beautiful woman, inside and out!
yayyyy for you! AWESOME post! I’m with you on the banged up feet! I think mine will never be “pretty” but they get me through every group fitness class, every run, every workout, every day! Thank you for this post- you made me smile
Amen gina! I read this post earlier today, and I just want you to know that it made me a bit misty-eyed. I honestly am so grateful to have found a community with healthy gals like you who are so inspiring and encouraging. Thank you for this post and have a wonderful evening!
install google analytics! that allows you to track your hits.
Gina, this post was just what I needed to read after an exhausting day where I have constantly been questioning myself on everything I’ve done. It’s nice to hear a refreshing perspective and has helped me get back to the right frame of mind. Thank you! You are beautiful, inside and out – but wait, you knew that already ;o) I’m so happy for you!
what a beautiful, honest, and inspiring post; finding true happiness within yourself is one of the best feelings in the world.
Thank you for the pick-me-up. It’s been a long day, and reading your post put a great ending on it.
Even though I don’t know too much about dancer’s feet, I do know about big feet, being a size 12.5 and all………….:)
thank you so much to ALL OF YOU for your sweet comment– i’m so thankful to have such amazing readers and blog friends
my favorite part hasn’t been mentioned yet…the fact that you labeled it “mumbo jumbo”! haha, that’s much too severe. Its gravity is the complete opposite of mumbo jumbo, but I know you were just being typical Ginacute. Your turns of phrase are one of the (many) reasons I love your blog. I like your conversational writing style and the really subtle references to pop culture that your writing sneaks in. Have a great day!
Wow…what a great post! Thank you for expressing how (I’m sure) many of us feel or have felt in the past. We ALL have something positive to celebrate, it’s just focusing on the good stuff!
suzanne- HA! i was waiting to see if anyone would notice that
of course it would be you! just so you know, i love it when you comment on my blog- you’ve always got something witty and wonderful to say.
cdlover- thank you! and aaaaaamen!
Right on! Well said!
very mature thoughts here, babe…i’m genuinely impressed and very proud of you.
This is AWESOME!! So good. I love it. I needed to read something like this today.
Glad I stumbled on to it.
Nice work!