Thursday, October 25, 2012

I heart my body...

Today is 'I heart my body' day. I wasn't going to participate or write a post. I didn't even think I would be interested in reading other people's 'I heart my body' posts.

It all seemed so touchy feely and boring. I didn't expect to spend the afternoon wrapped up and involved in all these gorgeous, honest, heartwarming posts. Shit.

So here I sit, thinking about my body. It's has never let me down and it's perfectly fine but I still have a problem with it.

I was raised to feel self conscious and imperfect by a self conscious and vain mother. So, I have managed to spend my whole life trying to hide and disguise my body. I am not fat, I am not thin. My butt might jiggle, my boobs may be small, my thighs are soft and my tummy round...

...but...

I am strong and can lift heavy things, I can run and run and run, I can cuddle my girls with both arms (and legs if I want) for however long I like and I can laugh loud often.

At this moment...
I HEART MY BODY


49 comments:

  1. Thanks for linking up Rachel.

    The linkup isn't about sharing a story of hardship, its about finding the positives about your body and your body image. I am glad though that you read the posts, I love reading them as they come in.

    Thank you again for linking up xx

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    1. Hi Carly, I knew it wasn't about hardship. I loved all the stories and found them so inspiring xx

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    2. Oh phew. I just wasn't sure sweets, I just didn't want you to think that you couldn't participate because you didn't have hardship xx

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  2. You are gorgeous lovely - inside and out x

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    1. Thanks Lyndaal. I think you're pretty lovely too xx

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  3. I think you are stunningly beautiful Rachel x

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  4. Thats just the thing isnt it Rach - not many of us do feel our bodies are worthy. But damnit they are - they may not be perfect but worthy they most certainly are. You are one gorgeous chick hun, not just on the outside either. xx

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  5. It's hard when others in our life influence how we feel about our bodies. I certainly have my issues, but have learned to let them go. You look like a beautiful loving women, what's not to love? :)

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  6. You are lovely and I hope you don't still possess the self consciousness you felt as you were growing up!

    It's great that you laugh loudly and often. I love a good belly laugh that makes your stomach and cheeks hurt after xx

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    1. There is nothing better than the big laugh that hurts. Rxx

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  7. I grew up always being led to feel self conscious as well. But now, now I know that beauty is more than smooth, tanned skin on a well toned body. My curves are womanly dammit! x

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    1. Yes, I completely agree. I still see my mother wrapped up in her insecurities while I am loving my girls and my life. I am glad I realised what's important before I wasted more time. Rxx

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  8. My mother is impossibly tall and thin and usually has a tan...so, although for perhaps different reasons, I too grew up feeling self conscious and imperfect.
    It quite honestly has taken me a long time to get over it...and my sister still is not over it.
    I don't know what it was exactly that caused me to no longer care...I think part of it was meeting my husband and his confidence in me and his love for me!

    I am glad that you heart your body!

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    1. Having met you IRL, you seem so gorgeous and poised. I think children help us to realise what's important too. Rachel xx

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  9. I think you are just perfect Rach. All these posts are just so great aren't they. They are raw and truthful.

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    1. They are, I'm loving them all. I loved your post too. Rachel x

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  10. You look really fit, healthy and happy in your photo :) Well done!

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  11. Oh but you are stunning. Love the picture. You look a bit shy and so very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Stunning as always ya know :-) xxx I heart you

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  13. You look gorgeous Rachel and you have got to love a body that can run x

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    1. Thanks Carli, I always wanted to be able to run. It was hard to get there but worth the effort. Rx

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  14. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely

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  15. You are a strong, fit, beautiful woman, wife, mother, friend. Love your story. Adore you.

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  16. Rachel, you do love your body. If we concede that love is a verb, then you're doing it all the time in the way you exercise it, feed it, decorate it. Don't sell yourself short. Maybe, just maybe, you should be a bit more gentle with yourself. These other ladies are right - you are beautiful.

    Ain't nothing wrong with 'touchy-feely'. It's not boring. Loving yourself and saying something about it is not a behaviour that needs the judgment inherent in that label. It just is what it is :)

    Keep smiling your lovely smile XXX

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    1. I agree, there isn't anything wrong with touchy-feely. Rx

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  17. Having met you IRL, the words that come to mind are "petite" and "pretty"!!! love Janet xxx

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  18. "My butt might jiggle, my boobs may be small, my thighs are soft and my tummy round..." - see, these are actually good things!

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  19. Love this post, Rachel. I have been lucky to meet you IRL and just think you're absolutely gorgeous. All the more that you recognise your physical strength and endurance x

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  20. You DO love your body and that's love as a verb, you treat it well, you let it run and move in other ways. Lovely, simple messages from you in this post - hooray!!

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  21. I think you're pretty damn gorgeous!

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