The photo I posted this morning of myself in a tank top reminded me of an important lesson that I'm continuing to learn....loving myself NOW, the way my body looks NOW and not comparing my body to others'. Let me share a story. I train with 3 of the most amazing women you will meet. They are all very fit, very sweet and gorgeous! I will admit that I was intimidated for a very long time. By nothing that they ever said or did. They've never been anything but encouraging and kind. It was my own negative thoughts. I'd catch myself during a workout thinking "What in the world am I doing, thinking I can keep up with these ladies?" or "What must I look like to other people standing here next to these thin, beautiful women?". Then slowly, I started to realize that what I look like to others doesn't matter. And I realized that I am working hard and I deserve to work next to these women. A huge milestone for me was the day that I decided to wear a tank top to the gym. Now, let's be real here for a minute....when you lose 100 lbs, there are stretch marks, cellulite, excess flabby skin, etc. Not a pretty topic, but it's the truth. I finally got tired of sweating though a training session in a drenched tshirt and decided that I would wear a tank top. Do I think that no one sees the stretch marks, excess skin, etc? I'm not that delirious! Do I worry about what I look like next to my thin friends who look amazing in their tanks? Sometimes, but not as much as I used to. I notice the looks from people sometimes, but now I just remind myself of how far I've come and I'm proud of that. I'm learning that it matters more what I think of myself than what strangers may or may not think of me. It's not about being skinny...it's about loving myself!!
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