Embracing Your Body

Happy Tuesday! It’s day two of my special week of Sending Smiles messages. I’m digging a bit deeper into issues I’m dealing with in hopes it’ll spark some self-care when it comes to your own life.

Today is an issue I think everyone deals with. Body image. What is the perfect body? Does it exist? I’ve started to hate the idea of the “perfect” body because I feel we should all be focusing on having a healthy body. The “perfect” body simply means (to me) the healthiest version of the body you already have. It’s not about a certain waist size, or if your butt looks like Kim Kardashian’s, but more about how you feel living in your own skin.

It’s been a struggle, but I have finally let go of the idea of the “perfect” body. 9 months ago I was a size 2/4. I was done with cancer treatment, was more active and was looking my best. I felt I was in the perfect body for me. I looked and felt healthy. Then I started Tamoxifen and that changed. I went from a size 2/4 to a 6/8 in a couple of months! Now, let me shout it from my Harlem fire escape (let me grab my megaphone), “There is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with being a size 6 or 8!” Nothing! It was just a shock for me and I’m still trying to get used to my new “home.” 

That’s what your body is. Your home. It houses your heart, your brain, your muscles, your ligaments. It fights off illness and expunges bacteria that invades it. It’s your friend. So, instead of fighting it and trying to get back to my former 2/4, I work daily to make sure my size 6/8 body is the best and healthiest it can be. The weight gain has made me realize I was born with this body and I am going to love it every step of the way. I am not perfect. I never will be. I have rolls and that is ok. I’m learning to embrace them and make sure they’re the most beautiful, healthy rolls ever! This 42-year-old has finally realized that having a roll or two or three is okay. Every day I strive on becoming a better version of myself. Please don’t ever give up on becoming the best version of yourself. I don’t care if this is a 275 pound you or a 110 pound you—it is you. Love yourself. Take care of yourself. Embrace yourself. Be yourself.