Beautiful Flaws

Two weeks ago I saw this picture and I cringed.  I almost deleted it from my phone. 

Upon first glance of seeing this photo I was frustrated.  “Why do my legs look so bumpy? In the front?? Cellulite is only supposed to be in the back? Why did I decide to wear shorts? Did I look like that the whole day? I should have worn pants… totally should have worn pants.”
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Then, it occurred to me there is actually so much to celebrate about this photo, aside from the actual moment itself where me and my baseball man were celebrating a pretty awesome victory.  The thing to celebrate goes beyond the image.

I want to celebrate the fact that shorts are being worn. I have always struggled with how my legs looked.  Just a few years ago I would not be caught dead wearing shorts.  Even if I were wearing them and looked confident with that choice on the outside, on the inside I was fidgeting and insecure.  Not only did I think that my legs were so “fat” they are so terribly pale as well.  Well, thanks to sunless tanner that is an easy fix (and let’s be honest…a little fake sun never hurt nobody!). And the idea that they “look fat” is just silly.
I want to celebrate what my legs can do.  They’re strong, they take me places, they are always there for me when I need them.  They can help me bring two bags of groceries up there stairs instead of one, and they I can squat heavy weights. They’re a blessing to have, regardless of how they look.   

Even though there is much to celebrate, I still have my moments.  But the thing that is different today is that I don’t let those cringe moments define me, bring me down, or change my perspective.  The old me would have just felt like total crap after seeing that picture and probably would have gone for a run.  But the me today is different, the me today saw it, had those thoughts and then just moved forward from that moment.   When it comes down to it, those are my legs and that’s just how they look.  I’m fine with it and the only one who really needs to be fine with it is me.   

I created this platform to help others who have those same cringe moments too.  Even though I show up here often to deliver a message of inspiration, empowerment or offer some form of nutrition and fitness advice, I still struggle.  After many ups and downs in my own journey I still cringe at some pictures that I take of my body.

Today I’m not focused on the results, but rather the journey.  I’m in the middle of a workout program that makes me feel strong, that challenges me and is like nothing I’ve ever done before.  Sure I have goals to make tweaks here and there with my physique, but overall those aren’t what drive me to stick to this each day.  What pushes me to stay consistent is how it makes me feel… and the coolest feeling of all is that I’m fine with a picture of my legs that don’t look quite how I pictured them to be. 

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