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Monday, May 25, 2009

In the eye of the beholder

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don't know who said it (and am too tired to google it) but it is true. Just like reality is in the eye of the beholder. My reality is not your reality. It's all based on perception.

So, as the beholder (for the purpose of this blog), what is beauty to me?

Beauty is confidence, optimism, taking care of your body and your spirit. Beauty is not in a size. In fact, I think we would agree that we have seen examples were a size 0 (or less) is not beautiful.

I think beauty is also in acceptance. I can accept my body for what it is and take good care of it. I feel beautiful when I take the extra time to put a little bit of makeup on and look nice. I may not be able to be a size 6 again, but putting on makeup and dressing nicely is something that I can do and feel good about.

I know this is a work in progress. This week was more challenging in this regard in some respects. But, I tried to keep positive and remember to focus on eating for health rather than eating for size.

I am also trying to encourage my family to be healthier. We are teaching the kids how to ride bikes this summer and Jason and I are buying bikes (it's been 13 years since I owned one!). I have also been more insistent that my son eat healthy foods. He doesn't like ANY fruits or vegetables except applesauce and bananas. Thus far, I have been somewhat lenient on him not eating those so long as he is eating some other healthy things (his favorite is string cheese). I am determined to change this though. I would be interested in any thoughts, comments, or advice that you have in this regard.

If (and for some it is just a matter of when) you find yourself in this same place I am in, struggling with weight or size, remember that half the battle is in your perception and focusing on being healthy rather than a particular size or weight.

:)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Dealing with "The Change"

No, not that change, silly! I'm talking about the change that occurs at or near 30.

I really thought that being 30 wasn't going to be that big of a deal. There are many things that I enjoy - I feel like a "real" adult (whatever that means) and am confident in my knowledge, abilities, etc.

But what I didn't realize was the change my body would go through. Gone is my metabolism, gone is my ability to eat that Cinnabon without immediately adding 2 pounds to my body which takes 2 months to take off.

The most frustrating thing? I am more healthy today than I have been since my 1st year in college. But I am also heavier today (by a long shot) than I have ever been in my life.

I've gone to the doctor seeking help and there is a legitimate health issue I have. However, even resolving that has not stopped some of the "changes" I have been going through.

I have spent a lot of thought, anxiety, and time trying to reverse what is going on. The last time I went to the doctor though, changed my perspective.

It is my doctor that helped me realize that my eating habits are healthier today then ever in my life and I exercise more today than I have since my first year in college. It is rather odd to think that I am quite healthy, despite not feeling like it when I look at my body in the mirror.

So how do I deal with "the change?" I change my perspective.

As I have contemplated this, I was reminded of one of my best friends. She was never a size 4, but I have ALWAYS thought she was one of the most beautiful people I knew. Why? Because she took care of her body and her spirit. Her size has nothing to do with it. She has always dressed in a way that would be flattering to her size and shape, always taken care with her skin, hair, and makeup. But more than that, she is one of the most kind people I have ever known and truly taught me what it meant to be a friend. She is someone I love dearly and I have always respected. She is a beautiful daughter of God, not just on the inside, but also on the outside.

Rather than focusing on numbers (such as those seen on the tags of my clothes and the scale in my bathroom), I am focusing on being healthy. True, I don't look like I did when I got married. I will never be a size 4 again. But I can be beautiful at the size I am. Size and weight are not the determining factors of beauty.

I'd like to hear from you - what makes someone beautiful? I'll tell you what I think in a subsequent post.

:)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

We Love Music

We love music at our house. We sing, we play the piano, we even play Rockband on the Xbox (I'm a killer drummer). I took these videos of the kids on Mother's Day with my Mother's Day Flip Video camera.







:)

Friday, May 8, 2009

I Won! I Won!

I Won, I Won! Check this out...

Mother of the Year Award

:)