Tag: body image

#OwnYourBodBabe on May 13

Post author By De
Post date May 13, 2019
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I am participating in this years #OwnYourBod on May 13th and I want you to join me. There is something that has been irking me since my birthday and today I’m going to tell you what and why?

So, on your Birthday Facebook lets your social media know it’s your big day and people comment, post pictures, videos. It’s awesome you feel celebrated and loved. Well, I try to give people the same respect as they give me and respond to each and every comment I receive. (I know crazy) Anyways, I read every comment.

Well, my last birthday there was a comment that hit me in the gut. Now, maybe I was taking it wrong but it went a little something like this:

“Happy Birthday to someone who has worked so hard to make their body look good!”

Did you feel the blow to the throat?

The greater hurt was that I see this person every Sunday when I go to Church. Alright, now you are feeling me?

My Intended Message

In the last four years, it has never been my intention to promote a perfect body. I have admitted that I am vain and that my weight loss journey began because I wanted to get skinny. But, that changed during the process and it became an authentic passion to help other people honor their temple and transition into a healthy lifestyle.

The results of moving your body and fueling it properly is that not only you look good but you feel good. That is what I have worked so hard on is showing others that a healthy lifestyle is possible and the results are that I look good.

I also have become more confident and aware of who I am and proud of the achievement that I have made and my goal is no longer to be skinny but I really wouldn’t mind being the strongest woman in the world.

Owning my Body

So, today I chose to Own this strong body and say, “Yes, I look good and I have worked hard.” If that inspires someone to respect their body and treat it the way God intended then I’ll take that throat punch of others passive aggressive opinion. I am on a mission to serve others by helping them find and live a healthier lifestyle. Earlier this month, a Facebook Memory popped up that I did a year ago with ReadersDigest.com. Sharing the message that EVERYbody is a bikini body.

We really need to stop comparing ourselves to filters and being the best of who we can be. Again, I am being bold and stepping up I am also joining an inspiring Influencer that I met last year at the life-changing Well Summit. I have grown so much from the things I learned at the Well Summit as well as the connections that I made. Amanda from Prim and Propah

#OwnYourBodBabe Vision

Amanda invited me to share this message today. Amanda shared the vision also came from her own vain reasons:

“I started #OwnYourBodBabe because simply put, I wanted to wear a shirt that was cropped. Pretty superficial, right? But as I started coming to terms with the ingrained yuck surrounding my own self-image, I began to realize that this sh!t was going to take some work. I plan to talk about the hard work it takes to really commit to self-love/appreciation/acceptance and some days just dealing with the funk.”

“OwnYourBodBabe intent is to open up a conversation “ to encourage ourselves and others to appreciate and love our bodies, not to be dragged down by ugly societal pressures and the urge to try to be something we are not.”

Sports Bra & Capri Leggings gifted from Handful Bra

Share the Message

Today on Facebook, Twitter and specifically Instagram join us in by following the hashtag #OwnYourBodBabe and be inspired and encouraged by other women to love your body. Then other people’s opinion won’t matter. Now if you aren’t comfortable posting which is understandable there is another way that you can participate. Amanda created these questions for you to take some time today to ask yourself:

“Why do I give myself a hard time?”
“What causes me to feel self-conscious?”

“Why do I hate my ‘insert perceived flaw here’?”

Answering these questions can help you to start discovering and appreciating your body for how amazing it is versus your physical appearance. That is the beginning of transformation and that is exactly what I have worked so hard for and hope I impress on others to achieve.

Conquer you #OwnYourBodBabe Monday, Beauties!

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Tags be confident, body image, fitapproach partner, handful bra, may 13th, own your bod, own your bod babe, parent riot, self care, self confidence, self love, sweat pink, sweat pink ambassador, women, womens mental health

Faith & Self Care Faith Journey Weightloss Journey

Progress in Action

When was the last time you admired yourself in the mirror? When have you showed your self love? Gazed in the mirror and saw God’s beautiful creation. I find that we use the mirror incorrectly. Instead of finding why we are special we are critiquing why we don’t live up to some fictionalized standard. It is so easy to get overly critical of our appearance, character, actions, and habits; Especially when we are not meeting our expectations of what we should.

self love

My Mirror Avoidance

Throughout my weight loss journey, my vanity and worldly views would steal my joy. Looking back now that I am mental, spiritually and physically happy I realize this is a big problem for lots of people. Hindsight is always crystal clear. I would consider myself pretty confident, but I let the enemies whispers of self-hate and conditional love ring in my ear. Believing these lies just didn’t feel right.

Psalms 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

self love

Has this always been?

I am the oldest of six children in a blended family; four girls and two boys. My mother was a great example of loving who you are for what you are. I always remember her encouraging us to love ourselves. Physically I have always been thin, physically active, overachiever who did not shy away from anything.

When I got pregnant with my first daughter, I gained 95 pounds; who knew eating for two was just an expression? (Not I) It took me a while, but I lost the weight and got back to myself. Then, I had my second daughter elated and educated I tried not to make the same mistakes. Eighty-five pounds later I got back on that horse again and worked off the weight. Next, was baby girl number 3; I was determined to gain the recommended weight, walked, ate right and I did a little better only a measly 75 pounds.

This time around getting back on that horse has not been a smooth ride. When I reached a year postpartum, I was still carrying that baby (weight), still exercising, eating right but to no results. So, like most overachievers for the and last year I have been working harder and beating myself up for only losing 5 pounds or whatever number.

1 Thessalonian 1:1 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power

self love

Going back to bad habits
Then, I did the obvious but sometimes second nature to me. I have the bad habit of thinking I can solve problems on my own. I prayed about it; it’s funny how I know I have no control yet, I still think I have some control. After praying daily for God’s guidance and strength, he answered almost immediately and led me to people who could help me, Scriptures that could encourage me, and a devotional that could guide me. Just add the personal trainer to the list of the alpha and omega. It took me six months till I felt myself coming back.

Psalm 30:1-2 I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.²Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”

Getting over self made hangups

I think my biggest issue I have and am constantly needed reminders and refocus is asking God for help in everything. Remembering how much He loves me for who I am right now today and not who I will be in the future. He doesn’t stop loving me because of what I did in the past, what I look like today. Even the small insignificant things that I feel wouldn’t matter to Him I must come to Him. If they matter to me, they matter to Him, and I should seek Him in all things. Once I got over my insecurities, relied on God’s strength and had faith in His sovereignty; my life became better, my mind got better, my insecurities dissipate, and I now can shine His light to others who felt as I once did. I now want to invite the love of Jesus to others and share the gift of self-love that He has given me.

What do you see in your mirror’s reflection? How can God help you know what you are looking?

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Tags body guilt, body image, body shame, Christ, christianity, compliment your mirror day, faith, faithfueled, love yourself, power in God, self esteem, self image, self love, walk in faith

christian mom christianity Faith & Self Care Faith Journey Weightloss Journey

Dressing the New Me

I remember when….. always dates you when you start off something like that, but I do; I remember when I was a self-proclaimed fashionista. I don’t know if I was stylish, but had a sense of style, and then I became a Mom. With each lil diva, I fell into a different sense of style. It happens, you change, your lifestyle changes, your body changes and so does your wardrobe.

Getting Summer Ready

So, here I am looking at the summer fashions thinking I am finally smaller its what I have worked for; right? I’m going to go to the store grab an Easter dress and a few things that don’t come in Small, Medium or Large or my personal favorite One Size Fits all (which anyone who has been bigger girls it should be One Size Fits Most). You know the clothes you just pick your favorite color and put it on. The “oh so forgiving” stretchy material and go about your day. Well, here I am again shopping for the summer season while currently in a new life season.

Misperceived “Small” Section

Although, last year when I was hoping to be thinner to shop in the “smaller” girl section this year it’s just overwhelming and I have no clue where to begin. I thought shopping for a smaller body in the smaller section with the old perception that the smaller clothes are better but guess what? Nope, there is not a new sense of satisfaction with the smaller section.

Mama was right, “I hate that!”

The fitting room mirrors are the same in the smaller sections as they are in the plus size section. Unforgiving, unflattering and self-esteem were demoting. So, does that mean that they reflection in the mirror doesn’t depend on a size but depends on a person in the clothes? Didn’t our Mama say that to us maybe once or twice before, I hate it when my Mama is right. In this case, though I wish she were wrong I wish that my outside reflection would silence my inner thoughts.

1 Peter 4:12 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Anxiety Robs Your Joy

I was diagnosed with anxietybdisorder when she was 25 I understand the demon that can turn good intentions into mental breakdowns. Anxiety disorder looks different on everyone and is handled differently by everyone. As of lately, my anxiety has been at all time high. I have a lot of things going on in this season of my life. I have also realized that although my faith has grown in many areas of my life trust, dependence, and reliance. Anxiety is where I allow the enemy to get to me. Especially, lately since recommitting myself to Christ until January.

I hadn’t had a panic attack in years (probably 3 or 4) and the in January before taking my NASM Certification I had a full out, time stopping panic attack before I left to take my test. It’s been a long while like I said since that has happened and I had forgotten how debilitation they can be it took days to get back to my positive mindset and ever since I have, to be honest, I have had a fear of my old friend anxiety creeping back in.

Growing through Disorder

I received two reminders; one, I realize how far I had grown in Christ because my instant reaction was unceasing prayers until the overwhelming feelings of fear, uncertainty, inadequacy and tears lots of tears went away. Second, it was a wake-up call on how I need to cling to God and get closer to Him. The snooze button has been shortening my time more and more in the morning with God, and my life has continued to go nonstop meaning I probably should be waking up earlier instead of later to give me the peace, clarity, and direction I feel I receive from my morning studies.

John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Getting back to my Basic Needs

I am in the homestretch of finishing my associates in Fitness and Exercise Science. I have decided to continue to get a Bachelor’s Degree in the field. I am still training to compete in an NPC Figure Division Competiton in October. I will am teaching a few group fitness classes in the next few weeks, launched my soul project (I do believe it will change women’s lives) Bibles and Bootcamps and I am a mother of a 13,9 and two-year-old and wife of a teacher, basketball coach, and entrepreneur.

Let’s just say my anxious moments are more frequent and my time is more limited which is probably why something fun and exciting as clothes shopping is bringing overwhelming anxious feeling; because that’s what anxiety does, takes something meant to be harmless and makes it so much more. I was reminded that prioritizing my time with God is essential these days.)

Finding Peace in Jesus

No matter what I put on if I don’t have peace on the inside then it is all meaningless.

That shopping trip was so discouraging. I got my Easter dress and decided to try again later. I spoke with a friend who encouraged me to give it another try to see myself through Jesus’ eyes. To find the joy in shopping again, trying on different options, having things fit. Now, I don’t believe I found a special pair of “Jesus glasses” the next time as I looked in the mirror but I do know that a different perspective some time with the Father and I found the joy in shopping again much to my husband’s dismay.

Colossians 1:10 “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Victory in the Fitting Room

I haven’t worn shorts in about three years; well guess what? I got two pairs. I usually buy very flowy tops because flowy hides muffin tops and is what I was used to and became accustomed to with the forgiveness of leggings and the miracle of compression I didn’t realize that I no longer have a muffin top to cover with flowy tanks. When you wear a uniform of workout gear or over sized shirts and leggings, it’s easy not to notice these things.

My anxiety has been a catalyst as well as a hindrance in the past decade of my life. But as I sit in the fitting room staring at the reflection of a girl who worked hard to get to the small section and realizing that the tag number doesn’t matter. Despite my size, if I don’t turn to Jesus to resolve my problematic thoughts I will never have peace.Regardless, of what I look like on the outside. My point is no matter the size you are now enjoying all the victories and don’t let the enemy steal joy from you that you deserve.

What mental roadblock have you had to overcome? What did you do differently to address them?

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