Two Word Tuesday- Self Love <3

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09/09/2014 by therudster23

Hello everyone! I feel like I haven’t sat down to blog in forever. Life has been crazy busy these last few weeks between my coursework, substitute teaching, my caseload for developmental therapy, workouts and finding time for myself.

As you can see the title of this post of Self Love. Speaking honestly, I have struggled with self- love for years. My definition of self love: loving your body exactly how you were made. I can’t count the number of times I have looked in the mirror, picking out all the parts of my body I hated.   However,the last few months I have been working on self love, and appreciating and loving my body exactly the way God created it. Instead of looking in the mirror and picking out all the parts of my body I want to change or wished looked different, I have been choosing a part of my body that I like. I like____, or my ___ looks nice. Sounds silly to some, but it has helped me feel more happy and confident in myself.

 

Instead of complaining about the way that my stomach looks (I am  very insecure about my stomach), I have felt grateful instead. This goes along with my post about gratitude. Why would I be grateful for my stomach you ask? Well, because I should be glad that there is never a day I go to bed without enough to eat. I am fortunate enough to have money to buy groceries where others may not be as fortunate.

Rather than complaining about my legs looking too bulky, I have been grateful for having strong, muscular legs that have allowed me to run 2 half marathons, and countless other races, and allow me to do endless exercises at the gym. Some people would love to have two working legs.

There is a difference between pushing yourself and not honoring your body. Self love occurs when you honor your body and the signals it tells you. I do push myself each and every day at the gym, however I have begun listening to my body, not overworking or over-exercisng and pushing through pain.

Self love should not occur at a certain size. I am very guilty of this. Saying to myself, when I weigh ___ lbs. I will be happy. Happiness is not a size. With the help and support of my amazing friend Brittany , who told me to throw out out my scale! I have begun to weigh myself less and less, and have felt more comfortable in my skin than I have felt in years. The scale doesn’t know how hard I have worked, how much I can lift, how far I can run. It is only a number and should not control me or my happiness. Self- love knows no number!

   I will continue on this journey of self love. I must honor and respect my body, I was only given one. I am still a work in progress and I do have goals to improve my body, however still loving my body at every stage.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. Remember love your body!

What is one thing you do for self love?

-Rudi