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Why I Won’t Apologize For My Body Image

Why I Won’t Apologize For My Body Image

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I heard a really amazing quote the other night while watching SuperSoul Sessions on OWN that struck me. Paraphrased “if you are looking for your story and can’t find it, you might have to write it yourself.”

Yes.

I realized [currently] don’t see my story–anywhere. I am a curvy woman–overweight by industry (and BMI) standards–with a lot extra on my hips, thighs and butt.

The funny thing is I have no interest in conforming with what society says I should look like.

I absolutely want to work on my body, make it stronger, lose some pounds, but at the very same time I’m okay with my body. It’s a  thin line between wanting to be a bit thinner and staying exactly where I am today. At the end of the day I love my body–yet it’s a struggle to stay in love and body positive when all I see in the blogosphere is perfect bodies, meal plans and “I did it” stories.

My mom had her annual New Year’s Day dinner and my aunties couldn’t stop talking about how amazing my booty was. Legit. I’m not kidding. This was a very serious discussion. I may have flipped my twists and nonchalantly replied “thanks” or “I do a lot of squats” or “I plan to insure it like Jlo did”. I was loving every minute.

I don’t fit anyone’s stereotype. I am not the next fitness star. I have no interest in becoming a thin girl. My end goals are not to be in a bikini. My end goals are just healthy. My doctor tells me I’m in perfect health every single visit–so why should I let a magazine tell me how to feel?

Yet I LOVE working out, it feels like breathing to me. I love heavy weights and race distances that seem pretty much impossible. My whole reason for this blog is to get people even just a little excited about working out. As an African American Female, there aren’t a lot of “us” in the fitness blogosphere and I can count on one hand those that look like me. Yet, when I look into my community the women all look exactly like me. So why can’t we learn to love our bodies while making improvements?

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Newsflash: beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes. So in 2016, join me as I celebrate every single curve and every single muscle. I’m dedicating this year to celebrating who we are, where we are right in this moment.

This blog is not about me, it’s about the woman who can’t stand to look at herself in the mirror.  It’s about the woman that is too afraid to step inside a gym. It’s for every woman that has been called fat. For every woman who has felt inferior next to a thinner counterpart.

Everyday, we will celebrate EVERY body. Perfect or not.

For more body positive posts be sure to check out:

Nellie Acevedo talks marathons, body image, and taking those first steps - Racefully Run Blog

Wednesday 14th of September 2016

[…] and ranges from the comical to the unapologetically vulnerable.  One of her most popular posts, “Why I won’t apologise for my body image” stands out in […]

Nellie Acevedo talks marathons, self love, and taking those first steps - Racefully Run Blog

Wednesday 14th of September 2016

[…] and ranges from the comical to the unapologetically vulnerable.  One of her most popular posts, “Why I won’t apologise for my body image” stands out in […]

Amanda nicole

Saturday 9th of January 2016

Nellie! I miss u and love you! Thank you for this! Many need to understand that it's not about the appearance! It's about the health!!!! I recently spoke about my 43 lb weight lost and it was all about health. I'm still not too interested in keeping up appreances although, I look good as hell in my eyes! So glad that someone understand! And you look amazing! And that bottom girl! What's your secret lol? Maybe I need to do more squats!

Nellie

Saturday 9th of January 2016

Hey AMANDA! Girl where have you been?! You look amazing (I just came back from the blog) and I'm SO SO proud of you. Where are you moving to?! <3

Grace

Friday 8th of January 2016

I just stumbled on your blog I bet you never thought that you would see your mom in this medium. Well her I am. Ha ha. (You know I am technologically challenged)well, needless to say that I was imoressed after reading above blog.You have matured into this phenomenal woman. I am so so extraordinarily proud of you. As your boys would say, "you are the best daughter I ever seen".

Terri

Thursday 7th of January 2016

I absolutely love this. My body may not be perfect, but it's perfect for me and that's all that matters!