Thursday, April 14, 2011

Why I...love my body

Why I...

Disclaimer: I'm not saying that any one size, any one body type is better/worse than another. This is just the story of how I learned to love my body.

As a kid, and early on in high school, I wasn't very interested in clothes. I didn't have the plus-size common experience of being a plus-size kid, either. I was a short, teeny-tiny kid until about 9. Then, I hit puberty, and grew breasts. Around 10, I got my period. Once I got into high school, I started to put on a bit of weight. And it continued (along with the breast growth).

I weigh more now than I ever have before. But I'm also happier with my body than I ever have been. I weigh 215 pounds, and stand 5'4". I wear a 40DD, and a size 20 pants. I exercise (almost) every week, and do a lot of walking during my job. I love the softness of my curves. I love the way my niece can curl up in my lap for a nap, and use my chest as a pillow (because it's both cute and hilarious). I love the ultra-femininity of my body, all exaggerated curves. But mostly, I love accepting myself as I am. This is my body. It's the only one I have. I'm not going to starve it. I'm not going to belittle it. What purpose would that serve, other than making myself feel horrible? Looking back at my Dad's family, it's genetic. I was made this size. And I love myself, just like others love me. I love myself and celebrate myself as I was made, not as I used to wish I was. I am beautiful. You are beautiful. We are beautiful. It's time for us to accept it, to be glad about it, and to love ourselves.

If my best friend was this size, I would love her, without any size reservations. So why wouldn't I do the same for myself?

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful. Just beautiful. you ARE amazing. :)

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  2. Aww...thanks, sweeties! Can you see me blushing?

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  3. You are gorgeous! And this post is brilliant. I love body love :)

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  4. Thank you for writing this. I have SUCH a hard time embracing my body ... and am pretty much the same size you are. Almost exactly, except my boobs are bigger cause I'm breastfeeding. ;)

    Owning it makes such a difference on how our clothes fit!

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  5. I have spent a lifetime worrying about my body image. This was a lovely affirmation.

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  6. I have an entirely different body shape than you've just described, but I've finally come to a place of acceptance. And it feels great!

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  7. I'm so glad everyone understands where I'm coming from! And Jessie's right (VanderbiltWife); if you own your body and love it, it's amazing how much better your clothes will look on you! Confidence and love are the ultimate beauty products.

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  8. I'm trying really, REALLY hard to own my body and love it. Being pregnant with #2 while being super unhappy with your size isn't fun. But in the last month or so I've invested in some nice maternity pieces, gotten my hair done and have been working on enjoying who I am, where I am. The weight may come off eventually, but without loving myself, I'm afraid I'll always continue to struggle. Thanks for writing this! :)

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  9. Such an inspirational post, thank you! I like when people own their bodies and don't belittle themselves. Sometimes it feels like they're fishing for compliments and that's not very attractive.

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