That's what makes you Beautiful.

**Accepting Our Bodies**

Today I had a completely different post planned but I have been thinking about this topic all day today. So change of plans.

We are bombarded from all directions with what society unrealistically deems as acceptable, ideal, beautiful, perfect, or desired.  Magazines, TV, movies, fashion, radio, internet (*cough* Pinterest workout images), the gym; all these industries put the "ideal image" out there for all of us to want and think is necessary for happiness or a better life.  But being comfortable in our skin is all up to us.

 (picture source)

Personal tidbit: Growing up I was the "bigger" sister/friend. By no means was I overweight or really even considered "big", but my little sister was TINY and most of my close friends were thin too. (I am talking barely broke 100 lbs after going into 10th grade.) And that was Hard! I always told myself, "It's okay, I just have an athletic build", or "I look more like my dad, Nat is more like my mom", but really I was feeling, "Gosh if I could just be skinnier then I could borrow her clothes" or "My mom just likes shopping for my skinnier sister and not me" and especially "I hate my butt and thighs".  It probably didn't help when my little brother said the song "I like big butts and I cannot lie" reminded him of me.  (I totally laugh about it now!)

Unfortunately I had a skewed self-image for a long time. I still loved life. I was happy, just not confident in my body. It took a long time, a lot of struggling, a few up days followed by a lot of down days, a lot of maturity and some basic knowledge of health, but I was able to change how I looked at myself.  I was also able to change my body in a way that was best for me.  Oh I still definitely struggle and have days the negative thoughts come back. I think we all do. But I am happy to say I Proud of Me! I still set goals. I still value health and fitness, but I do it to make me happy. No one else. I feel healthy, I feel strong, and I don't need society telling me how I should and shouldn't feel and look like.  I am not the fastest runner...and that is okay! I still have bigger thighs and buns then I would necessarily like, but I have accepted and appreciate my baby-bearing hips! I don't have an amazing 6-pack abs that I sure wish I had, but I have 4 beautiful children instead. I am Beauty Redefined!

I read this wonderful short article at WebMD.com. And I loved it! It was simple! And you know I like Simple. Here are some tips. (underweight, overweight, ideal weight, whatever your body type is)

*Stop Allowing Put-Downs: Look in the mirror and say you are Beautiful (or dance to the One Republic pop song...in your towel with a hair brush. It brightened my day, just saying). Leave yourself positive post-it notes to help look at your beautiful attributes. You will begin to believe it after you say it so many times.

*Ditch The Negative Influences: Unsubscribe to those fashion magazines if you feel inferior after looking at them. If a family member or roommate makes you feel bad about the way you look, talk to them directly.  Surround yourself with people who are supportive and like you for you.

*Look Beyond the Scale: So many people look at the number on the scale instead of how they feel.  How do your clothes feel? How is your cholesterol/blood pressure? How do you feel after you climb a few flights of stairs? Are you stronger?? Those might show your health better than any number on the scale. If you're trying to loose weight, swap out weight-loss oriented goals with fitness goals like keeping your cholesterol level down or training for your first 5K.

*Don't Compare Yourself: Health comes in all shapes and sizes. Remind yourself that true beauty is not simply skin deep.

So now we are all going to be self confident, positive body-image people now right?!  Follow the tips and you are on your way to always being happy?! I wish that was simple. But you can change how you view yourself. You can make yourself healthy. You can determine what is beautiful to you.


Please watch this cute video. I laughed, I cried (not surprising for those that know me though), I was so thankful for the message these boys were sharing to the young girls in their church group.

"Every woman deserves to be told she is beautiful."
-President Thomas S. Monson