A resolution to finally accept your body for the New Year

I hope you all don't mind if I share a post from a friend of mine from a fitness group over on Facebook.
http://www.jlgoesvegan.com/pos.....er-clothes

What do you all think? I am guilty myself of wanting to stay below that 'magic number'. Even those of us who treat our bodies well get caught up in the idea of smaller, better, etc etc especially at this time of year.

15 years ago

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Queen Mum

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BRAVO!!! Your friend looks stunning, Malina. Does she rock short grey hair or what! Please tell her for me

It's been said so many times here and on other blogs - dress for the body you have and strive to be healthy. In some instances that might mean losing or gaining a little weight. As hard as it is, try not to obsess about the size of your body and stick to an eating and exercise plan that you can maintain. If that means you're a size 12 instead of an 10 - then so be it. If you can't fill out certain dresses because you can't gain the weight - then so be it. Work with what is manageable and keeps you feeling in control of your body and style.

Know that whatever your size, you are ALWAYS welcome and encouraged here on YLF. Variety is the spice of life.

That sounded so preachy and I do not mean it to be

15 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

What a lovely post! And doesn't she look fab!

Angie - not preachy at all, but affirming and just something you feel passionately about.

15 years ago

LeahJanes

Active Member

If you're happy, healthy and exercise, your body will find it's own equilibrium. That's the best body for me - the one I am in.

You're not preachy Angie, it's all very true. Often the first step to body acceptance is to learn that your own particular body *can* look good in clothes and I love that YLF is an exponent of that.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I agree... we do need to embrace the body we have today and not always pine for a smaller size...
BUT, if I say this every year after gaining 5 pounds... then that is 50 extra pounds by the time I hit 55.
I will say though that I have learned that I have to be willing to sacrifice my 'perfect" body in exchange for an eating and exercise plan that I can live with.

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

QM, exactly! It's one thing to be a couch potato and eat fast food and then come New Year's resolve to diet it off. It's another to be a physically active and healthy eating person who's body is telling you, "hey, I'm comfortable right here. You are treating me well but quit trying to fit me into a smaller box!" As women we sometimes get caught up striving for the perfect image when health is more important.

And Angie, I will be sure and let JL know she looks fab!

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm with Kim- there's a line between acceptance and letting yourself go (for lack of a better term). I think that I have accepted my body as it is, but that doesn't mean that I can't strive to be healthier.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Yes, Mo.... that is exactly it.
Khris... I agree.. we can always strive to be healthier while accepting the body we have.

15 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks for posting, Mo. You hit the nail on the head for me. This is exactly how I felt when Medusa posted the Weight Loss Support Thread. I'm close to 10 lbs over my "magic number" but I'm hesitant to diet because I'm at a maintainable weight. I'm not a couch potato but find that I'm less willing to work out the way I used to when I was thin. I've purged my closet of all my "skinny clothes" and actually like how my current wardrobe fits. I'm all for Healthy Habits but I think you cemented my feelings about getting down to the magic number! Many thanks!

15 years ago

LeahJanes

Active Member

I much prefer the "healthy habits" support group to a "weight loss" support group anyway.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Thanks for the non-preachy validation Leah, Polly and Kim).

Leah, I like the way you think:

"If you're happy, healthy and exercise, your body will find it's own equilibrium. That's the best body for me - the one I am in".

That's power right there.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I agree completely!

I'm also a big fan of not owning a scale. Since graduating from college I've tried to be more active and put good food into my body without depriving myself, and I've been healthier and also lost weight. But the number doesn't matter when I'm shopping, and doesn't change how I feel about myself or how healthy I am. I think that not knowing or checking my weight has helped me to be healthier and be more attentive to how I feel and how my body is doing, rather than obsessing over trying to get to an ideal weight. I feel good and the same clothes fit from month to month, so I'm at a good place regardless of what the numbers on the scale are.

15 years ago

Karli

Active Member

I agree with healthy habits and mindful eating. I have been on many diet, but now I go with this principle: Eat what's good, when it's good, while it's good (I think I heard it on one of Anthony Bourdain shows, and it made complete sense to me) no more diets:-)

15 years ago

Anonymous

Okay, here's just about the best website I've come across that inspires me to eat healthy and be at peace with my body:

http://www.ohsheglows.com

:o)

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Fabulous...thanks for posting Mo! Love her hair!!

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Loves Moose, thanks for that link - looks great!! I gotta get out there and read a bit more this year

I'm glad many of you enjoyed, or could relate to, JL's link!

15 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

That's a great article!

And what QM said.

Re: a scale... FWIW, I need a scale for a reality check. My mind is very good at convincing me that I look way better and healthier than I really do. That number on the scale might vary a bit, but if it changes too much it lets me know I'm letting myself get out of control. For some a scale turns into an obsession, and for others it's a very useful tool. Do whatever works for you!

15 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

I've not yet been able to let go of numbers on scales, tape measures or clothing labels. Being honest, I was happy beyond measure this week because I bought some size 4s. I hear the discussion and I understand intellectually that my attitude is not the healthiest, but it's reality. Good post. I think this is an emotionally charged issue for many women -- it certainly is for me!

15 years ago

Refugee

Veteran

This last year I've had several revelations that have helped me make peace with my body. Some of them may be more shopping than body related but I have found these 2 things to be intertwined.
1. No matter how perfect someone's body may seem chances are she has body issues of her own.
2. The reason my body issues seem worse than anyone else's is I live with mine everyday.
3. Fit is more important than the size on the tag.
4. There are some styles, cuts, garments that will never look good on me, which is OK. Everybody has this, it's because we're different. My 'nevers' are someone else's 'always fab.'
5. A garment that does not look good on me is not a personal judgement against me. It's just something I should not buy. That's all.
6. Having to take something to the tailor is neither punishment nor does it make me unique.
7. My ability to walk into a store excited to shop and walk out disappointed is universal. We all have it sometimes. The store is not mocking me.
8. Even beautiful professional stylists can look forever to find the perfect garment.
Maybe for some, these things are old hat. For me, learning these things have helped make me a lot happier in my own skin.

15 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the link Mo - I LOVED your friends post!

15 years ago

DanaLynn

Active Member

YAH!! What a great article and a great discussion!

I cringed a little at the "letting yourself go" talk. Letting myself go where?
But it's nice to hear more women embracing intuitive eating and body acceptance. It's a long road for most but it is totally worth it in the end.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

great list of revelations Refugee! I'm going to "favorite" this so I can come back when I need reminders.

15 years ago

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