My Body Project

In March of this year (2012) after having a conversation with my good friend Bri, I thought I would be a brave soul and take a photo of my belly, covered in stretchmarks and not toned and share it with my online Pinterest followers. It was hard at first to see my belly floating around the interwebs. Would people be grossed out, laugh, judge? I really didn't receive any feedback just a few shares and positive feedback from my friends. So that got me thinking....It wasn't that big of a deal! I could really inspire others with my story.

I then began throwing around ideas of starting my own Body Project. I don't know where I got the idea. But basically, I want to talk about how wonderful my body is. I want to talk about how it carries me from one place to the next. How my body is capable of holding my boys and hugging my friends. This is who I am. I want to love my body for how it is. I want to talk positively about my features and my strengths.
What is something about my body that I love?
(wow, I just got choked up. This is harder than I expected)
I guess, I love my well, shit. This is tough. I thought I would be able to easily start talking about my most favorite features. I can easily start thinking about what I hate about myself. wow________________

Let's try this again:
What is something I love about my body?
I love my shoulders. I love how they are rounded and strong. I love my collarbone too.

I love that my breasts fed my boys for the first years of their lives. That I have a body that can accommodate children. I love the color of my eyes and the length of my lashes. I love my waist and my smooth skin. I love that I can easily find a foundation color, all I have to do is grab the lightest one in the store.



__________ALRIGHT_______
That seemed pretty okay. I am smiling now. I feel pretty good. Much better than thinking and talking about my "not so favorite" features.
I decided that I would also take a photo of me. Just me. Nothing fancy. No makeup (only "remnants" from the day before). Hair not styled. Bare bones. This is me. No lies here.

Honestly, I am hesitating putting up the photo. If I do that, I can't go back. (What will people think? That I am conceited, vain, a slut, desperate, ugly, brave, noble, heroic)
From now on when someone sees me, they will know my secrets. They will know that I have love handles, luscious thighs, stretch marks, and child bearing hips.
--BUT---What if I can help one person cope with body acceptance.... What if one person can learn from me.... Learn to love themselves. 

I ask you....
What do you LOVE about your body?!
Can you share them with me, right now!?
Can you share them with your friends, family?
Can you write them on your mirror to remind yourself that you are whole? You are complete HOW YOU ARE! You are not anyone else. You will never be. This is your ONE chance to love you where you are NOW and never look back.


Look in the mirror and say: I love my body, it is strong, it is mine and I will care for it from this day forward.

Welppp, there I am...
Love you guys. xoxo