Gaining in 2016

By this time in February every year, it seems like New Year’s Resolutions have already fallen by the wayside; the hope of working out everyday is now embodied in the exercise bike sitting in the corner now being used as a drying rack for clothes. The goal of eating healthy has disappeared with the Super Bowl party, especially if your team was in the big game.

However, instead of looking at what we’ve already lost or failed at in 2016, what if we looked at what we’ve already gained?

I’m referring to valuing what we all have inside ourselves. Imagine that the body we want to change through exercise to fit the ideal image in our mind, is great just the way it is. I know that goes contrary to what the world and glossy magazines show us, but what if we just accept ourselves as we are. This is not an excuse to disregard the doctor’s advice or not take care of ourselves. This is a call to action to love ourselves right where we are at and moving forward.

I challenge all of us to write down five things we like or are thankful about our bodies. Even if the voice in your head is telling you there is nothing to love about yourself, please consider some items such as, “I have feet that can take me where I want to go,” “I have arms that I use to hug other people,” or “I have hands that held someone else up when they needed support.”

Here are my five items:
I’m thankful my body has carried three children. The stretch marks shows the tiger earning her stripes.
I’m thankful for my mind as it solves problems and figures out ways to referee children everyday.
I’m thankful for my back that still allows me to move and do most of the things I want even after three surgeries.
I’m thankful for my hands as they allow me to type and share my thoughts with others that hopefully enriches their lives.
I’m thankful for my arms. They allow me to hug and hold those I love.

Imagine if we changed our perspective from the faults we find in the mirror to the positives that we can use our body for without even taking one step into a gym. Imagine how our perspective would change towards ourselves. Instead of loathing and defeating language to tear ourselves down, our internal dialogue changes to one of love and acceptance.

When we learn to love ourselves, imperfections and all, we can learn to be more present, rather than continually striving for the unattainable vision of perfection in our lives.