Fighting Mad…

On the Today Show, they were talking about why thin women are getting liposuction.  The doctor who they were interviewing said that it’s not for weight loss, but that what he does is “balance a person’s body.”  That sometimes, even women who are a size two have stubborn fat deposits in places that are unsightly and he helps to correct that.

It is obscene that a medical professional is peddling this nonsense.  The media has us so brainwashed as to what our bodies are supposed to look like that we are willing to have dangerous surgeries in order to fit the mold.  I have had people ask me if I have loose skin or any other visible side-effects as a result of my weight loss.  I think that because my weight loss was gradual and I did it without surgery or pills, my “side-effects” have been less drastic, but yes I have loose skin.  And NO, I am not going to “do something” about it.  I drink lots of water and use lotion, which may help with elasticity over time, but I consider my body to be a testament of the hard work I have done and a roadmap of how I got here.  If I don’t look like a model in my swimming suit, I don’t care.  I worked very hard to get to where I am and I am proud of every part of my body.  I certainly haven’t always felt that way, but I will be damned before I will let some Hollywood doctor try to tell me that I need to have my body “balanced” in a surgery.

I know I said it last week, but I might just start saying it every day…  Love yourself exactly the way you are right now…  It’s the best gift you can ever give yourself…

Exactly The Way You Are…

I read a great story from the Huffington Post today, “Learning To Love The Body You Have Now” By Susan Liddy.  This is something that I talk about all the time, not waiting.  Not waiting to love yourself, not waiting to feel beautiful, not waiting to make changes, not waiting…  I spent years not loving myself, needing some “thing” to happen before I would be worthy or ready or able to start.  None of us is perfect and honestly, I think our imperfections may actually be the best things about us.  They make us real and approachable and empathetic.

The idea that any of us would be willing to give up a year of our lives in order to achieve the “perfect body” or would rather give up sex for the summer than gain 10 lbs is atrocious.  One of the biggest keys to success in anything is a positive attitude.  Love yourself exactly the way you are.  Recognize your strengths, not just your weaknesses.  When you believe in yourself, you can achieve amazing things.  If there is something in your life that you want to change:  your health, your career, your habits, etc; the first thing you have to do is tell yourself that you can.

• Be confident
• Set realistic short-term, mid-range and long-term goals
• Celebrate even the small victories
• Know that you will slip along the way, but that doesn’t mean give up
• Give yourself as much positive feedback as negative
• Be proud that you decided to make a change, most people only talk about change

Love yourself the way you are right this second.  Know that you don’t have to wait for anything.  Believe in yourself.

If you would like to read Susan Liddy’s article, I have attached it below:

Learning To Love The Body You Have Now