I’ve got to get real honest with you. I hate my thighs. I always have, & no matter how thin I get, they are always there.
It’s okay that I hate my thighs, because you know what? It’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of other things I love about my body. I love that I’m tall. I like that I have long arms & a long giraffe-like neck (in high school my little brother teased me about it). I have a long torso, so I don’t have to worry too much about accumulating belly fat (it all goes to my hips & thighs, thank you very much!). And I really like the natural color of my hair (no greys. yet!).
We all have various things about our body that we don’t like, but I think it’s not a good idea to go down that road. Of focusing on your perception of your body’s shortcomings.
I struggle with this, believe me. I’ve had 4 babies, people! If that doesn’t mess with your body image even just a little, you are a blessed woman. But for me, as I’ve had each child & gone through massive fluctuations in weight & size, I’ve realized, just how cool my body is. No really. As women, our bodies are powerful, powerful machines. We can make people! And then we use our bodies to feed those little people. We can run 10 or 20 or 26.2 miles if we put our minds to it. Day after day, our bodies perform tasks that give life, create, love. Amazing, I tell ya.
So big thighs, pshaw. I only get really hung up on it if I read too many magazines. Where the models legs are longer than many women are tall & I’m pretty sure their food portions are limited to kiddie plates & bowls. And during the summer, I’ve discovered a lovely thing called the cover up. I like to wear it before & after the pool. I’m not a huge fan of the little skirts or board shorts you can wear in the water, simply because when I’m in the water I want to feel unrestricted & free.
Swimsuit coverup: Nicole Miller.
Swimsuit from ModBod (love their swimwear, all very conservative, which is my cup of tea, thank you!).
Mommy/daddy school? I love this idea.
And, I really think this blog is gonna help me actually do it.
Ever want to know more about how to use a pressure cooker? Here’s your answer.
This story made me realize how unpredictable & short life can be. Brought tears to my eyes.
Manifest Vegan’s Allyson tells her story, about why she went vegan, & why she is now also gluten-free. Interesting read.
The story of superman. (It’s a fascinating listen.)
I’m looking forward to making this kale salad.
A great essay on why being vegan is not a pledge to perfection. Well said Gena.
The death of homemaking? Or is this just a matter of semantics?
These grain-free raspberry linzer cookies are making my mouth water. Ditto for these vegan rice krispie treats.
♥♥♥
I’ve received a few emails in the past week & haven’t gotten a chance to respond to them all. Thank you for your kind words, questions, & feedback. It really makes my day to hear from you! Thank you for your patience & understanding that I will respond to each email as I get to it. You readers are so lovely & sweet. I cannot tell you how much your good vibes & well wishes mean to me.
And for those of you who comment on the blog, thank you as well. I love to read your comments & hear what you’re thinking. Means a lot.
Here’s to another joy-filled week!
Cheers,
I just found my way to this post! Great swimsuit…and way to have guts, GF. You look fabulous. Thanks for shout out!! You’re always so gracious. XO, MJ
I love that you’ve owned your imperfections! That takes a lot of courage. Like you, I love my long torso and longer neck.
I really like that coverup. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a coverup! Just usually use a towel. I know, fancy!
I don’t like my thighs either – kudos to you for posting this
You are awesome for posting this! I have a similar coverup, and I never thought of pulling it down like a skirt; that will be so useful! I recently lost 25 pounds (I am only 5 feet tall) after having a broken coccyx with 2 (of the 4) children, thyroid problems, and generally being lazy. I still have a ways to go, and I am realizing that I will never be thinner than I was as an athlete in high school. Thanks for reminding me that I have done amazing things with this body (like being pregnant/nursing for over 6 years now and natural child birth)! Funny how my hubby never noticed the weight gain…
!
Jennifer, way to go on your weight loss! 25 pounds, especially at your height, is a significant number. How’d you do it? I’m impressed.
What a great husband you have! My husband is the same way. When we got married, I was about 25 pounds heavier than I am now. He says he doesn’t notice a difference. We’re lucky to have such men.
I counted EVERY.SINGLE.CALORIE. I was already vegetarian (mostly whole-food, light on the diary, but not vegan). I also started running and doing some strength training after finally (mostly) healing from the back issues. I will probably never swim well again, but running doesn’t hurt any more! I still have more to loose, but I am happy that I am an good example for my kids again. It’s hard to find time to fit things in while homeschooling, etc., but the effort pays off!
You have nothing to worry about; you look great! I think it’s wonderful that you put up your “swimsuit edition.” You have a healthy, active lifestyle and it shows, which is great motivation for others.
Whenever I look down and see my “loose” belly I try to remember that two incredible little people grew in there and that skin doesn’t always snap back the way we’d like (I’m ramping up my pilates routine, though, so that the reminder isn’t quite so obvious).
Have a great week!
Thank you Kat! Pilates is an awesome way to get that belly back into shape after kids. I know it’s what really helped me with my last 2 pregnancies especially. The loose skin, I don’t know if there’s anything to do about this, but I’ve come to terms with it, since I’m not going to be wearing a bikini or any belly shirts in this lifetime!
I don’t know a woman that is perfectly secure with every body part. Isn’t that a shame? Especially since I know quite a few men that seem to be perfectly happy and proud! That shows just how affected and shaped women are by societal messages and media images. So unfortunate. I think you are courageous – not just for showing your photos – but your feelings.
Janae, you are beautiful, and so fit and healthy and that makes you even more stunning! I relate to you, as I also never put weight on my upper body, in fact, my upper body makes me look particularly gawky because it’s so long and lean.
And, as for the photos, again, you are radiant. Healthy, toned, stunning and sexy! (You might have just convinced some moms to go for that 3rd or 4th baby.)
Keep sharing your light! xo
Dreena, I know, women, we have issues. It is a shame. But it seems we are hard-wired to be insecure & hard on ourselves. And men, yes, most men don’t give their physique a second thought (I know exceptions to this, for sure, but as a general rule…).
I have to daily fight this battle. It’s easy to let the little things get in the way of really appreciating your own beauty & amazing capacity for creation. I’m not just talking making babies, but being creators of all good things, from food, to making people smile & feel better, to just being kind & creating a positive environment. It’s not shallow to want to to be fit & in shape, but where it starts to get vain & self-absorbed, is when self-deprecating thoughts get in the way of us as women creating & showing our power & force for good.
I too, am like you–willowy upper body. All the weight I gain goes directly to my hips/thighs, never to my arms or chest. This is why I do a lot of weight training for my upper body–I hope to somehow bring a bit more balance to my natural pear shape.
As always, you’re such a kind friend to say such nice things. Makes my day to know I have you as friend (even though we’ve never met, hopefully someday)!
Oh you’re looking beautiful in your swimsuit! And if we’re being honest here, I hate my belly! So, I’m loving the gathering on your suit…hoping that it could cover up my belly imperfections. You are so right though, our bodies are a marvelous thing. It’s just hard that as I get older, my body isn’t as it used to be. I’m still working on embracing that.
I love the links that you recommend. Fantastic!
Christine, thank you. Posting a picture of a very exposed me, was not easy. But if I want to encourage women to be accepting & loving of their bodies I think I need to follow my own advice & be okay with how I look in a swimsuit.
Yes, the swimsuit that I’m wearing is a great tummy-tucker. Although, as I’ve said before, my tummy is not my problem area, aside from a boatload of stretch marks. My thighs/butt have always been the trouble spot. As a friend from college said once: “You can’t ‘suck in’ your thighs!” Darn it.
Oh the dreaded swimsuit! I tend to gravitate towards the more outdoorsy athletic type that offer more coverage – but I’m hoping to actually just make my own one day! Seems like a great way to get exactly the amount of coverage I need.
Adina, you are so modest, I love it. I wouldn’t put it past you to MAKE your own swimsuit!