Stop Laughing At Me
Nov 16, 2020
My son looked at me sheepishly and started giggling.
"What’s so funny?" I huffed after finishing a 30 second plank.
"Umm, mom, your stomach looks kinda weird".
I looked down at my bare belly between my lululemon shorts and sports bra and had a brief, but important pause.
This pause reminded me that these are the moments where I can teach my kids (and myself) acceptance or disgust. Love or hate. Compassion or criticism.
There was a time when I used to hate many parts of my body and would’ve likely heard that comment and recommitted myself to a new lifestyle change including extra cardio, restricted calories and food elimination.
I can honestly say that I’ve drastically eliminated my body dissatisfaction so I was able to look at my son and, wait for it, laugh with him.
"It does look kinda funny...sort of like a big marshmallow with a mouth in the middle! But you know what? I love my belly because all of you grew in there. It’s a very special place. It was your very first home".
My body is my home and it’s the best part of my body story. Birth marks, moles, wrinkles and scars all tell a bit of my story, but none come close to my belly. That sacred space has held life (and death) hopes, dreams, faith, fear, courage, triumph, tragedy, joy, excitement, and most of all love.
Choose love. Even when that feels hard. Even when it doesn't feel like an option.
Let’s teach our kids to accept all their beautiful parts.
xoxo,
"What’s so funny?" I huffed after finishing a 30 second plank.
"Umm, mom, your stomach looks kinda weird".
I looked down at my bare belly between my lululemon shorts and sports bra and had a brief, but important pause.
This pause reminded me that these are the moments where I can teach my kids (and myself) acceptance or disgust. Love or hate. Compassion or criticism.
There was a time when I used to hate many parts of my body and would’ve likely heard that comment and recommitted myself to a new lifestyle change including extra cardio, restricted calories and food elimination.
I can honestly say that I’ve drastically eliminated my body dissatisfaction so I was able to look at my son and, wait for it, laugh with him.
"It does look kinda funny...sort of like a big marshmallow with a mouth in the middle! But you know what? I love my belly because all of you grew in there. It’s a very special place. It was your very first home".
My body is my home and it’s the best part of my body story. Birth marks, moles, wrinkles and scars all tell a bit of my story, but none come close to my belly. That sacred space has held life (and death) hopes, dreams, faith, fear, courage, triumph, tragedy, joy, excitement, and most of all love.
Choose love. Even when that feels hard. Even when it doesn't feel like an option.
Let’s teach our kids to accept all their beautiful parts.
xoxo,
PS. If you're ready to stop hating your body. Join Peace Out Diets where I talk in depth about body image and self compassion. 40 audios, 20 + journaling prompts. A little something to listen to so you can get through the holidays with a little more love for yourself and everyone in your life.
