I think as a society, we women have it all wrong.
Hear me out.
Every day I hear negative words and phrases attached to women and they way they feel about themselves.
“I shouldn’t eat this.”
“I feel bad because I didn’t get to the gym today.”
“If only I could fit into size xx, then I would feel better about myself.”
Or the infamous…
“I bought this dress but it’s two sizes too small, and I’m going to diet until I am able to fit into it.”
Instead of those phrases, maybe we should be thinking the following:
“I want to eat this, so I’m not going to deprive myself of it.”
“I made it to the gym 3 times this week – that’s pretty darn good!”
“I’m going to love myself no matter what size I wear – because in reality, it doesn’t matter in the end.”
“I’m going to buy the size that fits me because I love my body the way it is.”
Now, I would be lying if I told you I never fit into the first category. Every day I struggle with something, and body image is definitely one of them. However, over the past few years, I have come to love and accept my body for what it is. There are so many messages sent to girls and women alike, starting very early and continuing throughout their lives. Messages that if only they were prettier, if only they were skinnier, if only they looked like the celebrity on TV – then and only then should they accept who they are.
I don’t know about you, but enough is enough.
Yesterday, October 19th, was NOW’s National Love Your Body day. NOW stands for National Organization for Women, and is a foundation that encourages women to stand up for themselves, love their bodies, and speak their minds throughout life. NOW is sending a message to females all over the world that guess what? It’s okay to love your body.
There is this weird denotation attached with “loving yourself”, and to be frank, I think that is a bunch of crap. That is exactly one of the reasons why we feel bad about ourselves – because it’s “taboo” to actually love who you are.
Well, guess what?
Sorry I’m not sorry I love the muscles in my legs – they allow me to not only walk everywhere each and every day, but those muscles power me through long runs and workouts. Even though it’s a struggle for me to pull those skinny jeans over my calves, I know every run is worth it.
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my smile – “smiling is my favorite” and a simple smile just might brighten someone else’s day.
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my bulging biceps (not really, but we can pretend) – those muscles in my arms remind me I work hard at taking care of my body and staying fit.
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my hips – they might be big, and they might not have ever fit into size xx, but guess what? I’d rather have curves than not! And you know what they say – wider hips = easier childbirth! I’m all for that!
![297989_10100293135580970_22913713_51071660_1454689698_n[1]](http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/297989_10100293135580970_22913713_51071660_1454689698_n1.jpg "297989_10100293135580970_22913713_51071660_1454689698_n[1]")
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my eyes – my eyes remind me of my mom and my brother whenever I look into the mirror and see a blue/gray/green combination staring back at me.
If the above makes me conceited or weird for loving who I am, then so be it. I would rather be comfortable in my own skin than thinking negative thoughts all the time. It’s difficult though, if you are your own personal “body basher”. I think thinking negative (or positive) thoughts about yourself is a learned behavior. If you have learned to think negative thoughts, guess what! You can re-teach yourself to think positive thoughts. I challenge you (and myself!) that the next time you find a way to bash your body to spin it into a positive thought instead. Think about all your body does for you on a daily basis the next time you try to tear it down.
Question: What do you love your body for?
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Sorry I’m not sorry about my muscular legs! I trained for months to run a half marathon this weekend and I love how strong they look!
Sorry I’m not sorry about my biceps! I always say that holding my babies (now toddler & preschooler) gave me the best biceps ever!
Sorry I’m not surry about eating healthy food while you complain about your weight/body etc. I work hard at eating right and taking care of my body and I’m proud that people take notice of my healthy eating habits!
Stephanie,
I agree with all of the above!! Cheers to muscular legs from running half marathons
I LOVE your third “sorry I’m not sorry”! I completely feel the same way. You rock!
That’s not weird or conceited and you’re bang on – you have got a gorgeous smile and lovely eyes so you should be proud of them!
I love my body for putting up with what I put it through; too little sleep, too much chocolate, etc – and still doing what I want it to, inlcuding cycling, riding my horse, Body Pump – and I love the way it feels after I’ve exercised… Great post
I. Love. This. You DO have a beautiful smile, and such gorgeous eyes!! I’m totally with you on the runner’s legs thing!! So worth it
I love my huge clown feet for carrying me for miles, even if I do trip over them on a daily basis
Sorry I’m not sorry that I love my stomach! I do my part to exercise and eat right, but sorry I’m not sorry that somehow I got pretty good genes for a flat tummy!
Great post Chelsey! I love the challenge at the end of the post. Many times I feel like thinking is based off of the way a person was raised. We can all choose to make a change in our thinking patterns! I am constantly working daily on making my negative ones into positives!
Sorry I’m not sorry that I love my hair! (on my head anyways–lol.)
AMAZING post!! So Glad I took the time to read. This message needs to be spread.
I love my body for being functional and strong and healthy most of all – what it looks like is always secondary. I also love this post. So important for all of us to hear this over and over!!
I *just* posted one of your recipes and stated how much I love you for all that you do for inspiring youth (and their teacher!) and positive self image in young girls! …..See?! You are too AMAZING! I want to work toward loving myself every day and you were the one who started me realizing how damaging my negative self talk or thoughts could hurt the amazing young girls I am working with every day. Now, I leave them notes in their library books saying how awesome they are and to ‘never stop being you, you’re awesome the way you are!’ …..Thank you, Chelsey! If we were teaching at the same school, I’d leave you a note like that in your lesson planer
Chels,
I am in Vacation right now going to Disneyland,Knottsberryfarm,seaworld, and doing some other things in California but, I had to take the time to comment on this post because honestly, this really touches my heart, and anyone that reads my blog would know this, I have been very negative about my body the last year or so, I have even at some points stopped eating completely for days because I have felt that I was too fat and needed to lose weight. I am just now starting to learn to my body and things about me as you can tell by my last blog post that I took two hours out my trip time to right yesterday) cause it was on a very important subject) Thank you so much for writing this post. It helps me think about things that are positive about myself instead of the Negative! I am going to start thinking this way when I want to be negative about myself! Thanks again. (:
-Kalie
Sorry I’m not sorry I love this post
Love Love Love. I’ve definitely struggled with body image (still do) and have fit into the first category (still do sometimes). But you’re right, we should celebrate the great things about ourselves!
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my upbeat attitude. It keeps the Y members smiling when I scan them in at 5am.
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my appetite. How else would I eat all that delish food?
Sorry I’m not sorry I love my eyes. They’re green, and I think that’s pretty cool.
Such a great post. It really makes me appriciate me for me. If someone doesn’t like something about me, good for them. I am happy with who I am and thank you for reminding me of this.
sorry i’m not sorry i LOVE my pooch (that’s what i call it!) my “extra layer” on my midriff is home to the DELICIOUS foods and experience i have chosen to indulge in and ENJOY rather than feel guilt about.
love this post, chelsey!
I LOVE this post!
sorry i’m not sorry I love my eyes and my smile:)
I love this post. I wish everyone was able to live by this all the time (myself included). It is difficult, but it’s we can always keep trying.
I’m sorry I’m not sorry I love my strong thighs for getting me through runs, workouts, hikes, and being active with friends and family.
I’m sorry I’m not sorry that I love my bubble butt! It gives me a little extra padding when I’m sitting.
I’m sorry I’m not sorry that I love my different colored eyes. It makes me unique. One color is my mom’s eye color, and one color is my dad’s – it shows I have a little of both of them in me, and I love that.
This is great, Chelsey – thanks for being sorry that you’re not sorry.
Sorry I’m not sorry that I love my “were a C and are now an A-cup” boobs – they might be small, but I don’t have to fork out buckets for super supportive bras, and they’re proof of the 30kg I have lost!
What a great post! These are things we all need to be reminded of every once in awhile (or in some cases, daily!). I’ve noticed it gets better the older I get, but I still have to work at. I’m sorry I’m not sorry I work very hard to take care of my body and fuel it with nutritious foods so it will be strong and healthy for as long as possible. It may not look perfect, but I am proud of what it does for me every day.
i love this! well said friend. I love all your beautiful features. And sorry I am not sorry I love my long toes, i secretly think they help balance in yoga. hehe.
Good for you for that confidence! While I can’t say I’m always in that good place, I love the sentiment of “I’m sorry I’m not sorry.” There’s a huge difference between being vain and confident. I especially love reading the Operation Beautiful blog whenever I need a smile.
Smiled through the entire post! You are so beautiful!!
I love my body for carrying two large babies and getting through two births (one all natural). I love my body for lactating so that my babies could have breastmilk (geez! have I really been nursing for 3 years??). I love that my body turns my husband on to make the babies who need to be birthed and nursed.
bow chicka bow bow!
i really needed to see this. you are so right, chelsey! thank you for posting the truth.
Chelsey,
This is SO inspirational and just so applicable to my life right now. I am trying to incorporate positive self-affirmations into my everyday life and tell myself them as often as possible! Today, was a struggle. I didn’t workout and felt like I ate too much-and was feeling very guilty…your post definitely just brought me back to reality and made me thankful for what my body can do. You are amazing…THANK YOU.
Excellent post!! I loved reading this
Great post Chelsey! I’m with ‘ya on the wide hips thing!
I heart you! And those legs may go towards creating a crazy awesome memory together. Oh…how BAD that sounds! But I’m not erasing it. Bahahaha!
I love my legs for running. My arms for holding my kids. My smile. And my eyes too.
oh my gosh, I think I’m dying. hahahaha
Amen, sister! I’m all for women starting to actually love themselves (and each other.) I’m so tired of women and girls either tearing themselves down or apologizing for who they are. I didn’t know about NOW – but you can bet I’m about to check them out. Thanks!
Wahoo! This rules. I echo your sentiments. (:
I love my body for sticking with me and not failing on me when I was battling anorexia. I love my body for loving me even when I didn’t love it back. I love my body for gaining strength, even while my mind was so weak and vulnerable. I love my body for showing me what it means to me a woman – a newly recovered, strong, amazing woman…which is what we all are!
(And men too.
This post is amazing and I couldn’t agree more. So often we get caught up in the playing the “comparison” game and only focus on the areas where we don’t seem to measure up. But, we all have so many traits and characteristics to be proud of. And we’re all beautiful, ‘flaws’ included.
The confidence and positivity that you radiate is always so inspiring. So, thank you!
This is amazing Chelsey. I completely agree! I have learned to love my body for what it is too. I think everyone should. We are all blessed with a body and we should treat it right and love it!
Chelsey, I love this post! It’s so easy for women to bash their bodies like it is the normality. I see this rubbing off on younger and younger generations and it is so sad! Go you for loving yourself…we definitely need more role models like you!
Awesome post, Chelsey! While I’ll admit that I can be a real negative Nancy some times, I’m making a conscious effort to change the way I think about everything, including myself.
I love my body for carrying me 13 miles at a time *twice* and bouncing back even when I don’t treat it the best for a couple of days
I love my arms. Today my friend told me that he peaked into my Body Pump class and he noticed I was doing more weight than anyone in the class for triceps. I was grinning from ear to ear the rest of the day. That compliment beats “You are so skinny” any day!
This is a great post. You are amazing! Thanks!
Yowza, girl – you have GORGEOUS eyes. I love this post!
I love my post-baby body. Probably more than I did before – it’s different, but now I know how functional it is.
GREAT post Chelsey! It’s all about perception..sometimes I wish my legs were more toned and stomach more defined but at the same, I love my legs…they are strong and enable me to regularly participate in a sport I’ve grown to love: RUNNING! As for my stomach, it’s very cooperative with eating
Great post – just what I needed to read tonight.
I love all of your sorry, I’m not sorry statements. I need to incorporate that language into my every day. I love my eyes. I always wanted blue eyes when I was a kid. But then I decided to fall in love with my eyes, and I’m glad I did, they are a rockin’ shade of emerald.
I loved reading this post. Such a nice reminder that we all need sometimes. I love my body for being healthy and strong enough to run!
I loved this!!!! Thank you
Great post Chelsey!
I love the idea of reversing negative thoughts into much more helpful positve ones!
Love this post Chelsey!
I have super muscular calves too but I’ve come to love them too (even if it makes buying boots a really hard process 
).
I love my arms! I’m really proud that all my strength training I’ve done for the past 1.5 years has paid off!
Great post, it definitely made me realize I’m a basher on myself way too much! I spent half my bus ride home last night coming up with things! Haha. So, sorry I’m not sorry that I love my skinny chicken legs, they look good in heels and skirts and somehow manage to help me run! Sorry I’m not sorry I like having a flat chest! No running problems or plunging neckline malfunctions! And finally, sorry I’m not sorry my hair is half ginger, because gingers rock.
haha I’m a flat chester too – no shame.
Love it. I’ve shared this qupte elsewhere before, but I love it so much, and it is so related, that I must share here! You’re right, we have to start making it okay to love ourselves!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson
Thank you for writing this! Awesome
I LOVE this post and what it stands for
Power to positivity!
I’m sorry I’m not sorry for my about my strong thighs. They may touch and chaff when I run, but they’re stronger and help me lift girls above my head (cheerleading)!
! They not give me much oomph, but they don't hold me back from any exercises, don't bounce and hurt when I run, and they're mine 
I’m sorry I’m not sorry for my loud laugh. People always make fun of my laugh, but I personally love laughing and just because you don’t like how I sound it’s not going to stop me <3
Lastly I'm sorry I'm not sorry for having small ta-ta's haha
You have beautiful eyes Chelsey! Great post – I love my arms and legs, and am all for showing them off!
Good for you! We need to be less worried about coming off as conceited and more proud of announcing what it is we’re so proud of. Also, we need to make a big step in not judging other women for doing the same, because I think we do a lot of it to ourselves, as women.
What I really am trying to do is embrace the things I formerly didn’t like, so I’m getting there! Sorry I’m not sorry that in four-inch heels I’m 6 feet tall! Height – if you walk with confidence – can make you look elegant!
“Smiling’s my favorite” too! (that’s a reference to Elf, right?) It’s amazing how much better someone’s smile can make you feel, I always try to remember that.
Even though I’m not as confident as I could be, I’ve always been confident about my broad shoulders and height (I”m 5’9″). I’ll never be petite
I remember being in elementary school, in a lower grade and the health teacher asking us a self-esteem question that was basically “raise your hand if you love yourself” and I remember my hand shooting straight up!
I LOVE THIS POST. I love that you love you. We need more people lovin’ themselves around. Keep spreading this message. You rock Chelsey
Love LOVE this post!!! I love my eye lashes…it never fails that people ask if they’re fake because they’re so long. Also, just today I was thinking about how much I love my legs. I like the muscle I’ve developed from running. And in combination with that, I actually love that I am a 32AA…I can’t feel a thing when I run. lol Plus, as my husband says, “It only takes a handful….”
haha that sounds about what my Husband says too!
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