Why I Won’t Apologize For My Body Image
Why I Won’t Apologize For My Body Image
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?
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:
Hi! I’m Nellie. I am an entrepreneur, a busy mama of 3 and a wife to my high school sweetheart. I have been sharing content for over 12 years about how to cook easy recipes, workout tips and free printables that make life a little bit easier. I have been featured in places like Yahoo, Buzzfeed, What To Expect, Mediavine, Niche Pursuits, HuffPost, BabyCenter, Mom 2.0, Mommy Nearest, Parade, Care.com, and more!
Get comfortable and be sure to come hang out with me on social. Don’t forget to grab your free fitness journal before you go!
I FUCKEN (sic) LOVE YOU. as my ten year old would say.
THANK YOU.
FOR HER.
and all the young girls like her who are or soon will be looking up to you and your self-love.
<3
WOOT WOOT!!!! Seriously Nellie I think it’s so incredibly important (and so incredibly hard) to love your body the way it is no matter your shape or size! I seriously believe that even the super models who “show” us what we’re supposed to look like have serious body image issues…maybe they are the worst offenders because of their job! It’s a crazy cycle and self talk is so, so important. I love that you wrote this post and I truly hope to get to a point when I look in the mirror and all I see is love 🙂
YAASSSSSS!! *stands up and claps*
Absolutely love this and you my friend are truly perfect just the way you are!! 😉
Lovely post!
As the years have gone by and I have watched friends struggle with health issues and some lose the battle, my focus switched from “fitting into that size 10 pair of jeans” to “help my body be as healthy and strong as it can be”. I am lucky to celebrate each birthday healthy and strong. Here is to a healthy 2016!
I LOVE THIS! I was nodding my head while reading your entire blog. Thanks for writing such a great piece!
Boom! Well said!
Let me see that booty! Lol!!
No cookie -cutter…1 size fits all!
Everyone’s fit and healthy looks different and that is OK!
On the mission to strong, healthy and fit… Let’s go!!
Cheers to 2016!
Love this! I feel the same way. As much as I want to be a little thinner I also don’t want my body to change. I’m not getting up to run in the freezing cold for a bikini body-I’ve got other goals! I like my baby biceps and little booty. Keep squatting girl!
LOVE this post! I feel like you wrote what I have been thinking. I’m not someone who necessarily NEEDS to lose weight, but I love the idea of being healthy and working out. It’s freeing when you feel that sweat forming, and I want my daughters to see that I am not built “perfectly” but I am happy and healthy and working towards staying THAT way!
Damn it. I’m crying.
I really am.
It’s a good cry, mostly, but it’s also all the emotions I feel on a regular basis. And all the things I think about. And think of for my daughter.
You – you inspire me – you’re phenomenal. I adore you. I aspire to be like you in many ways. That you feel you look around and see those not like you? no. You are you. You are amazing. And your booty rocks. 😉 Love you, girl. Thank you for this. SO needed this morning as I find my way.
I am all for this! I know my body isn’t perfect and lawd knows I need to move more because I got the eating down good. I plan on moving this year if the weight comes off fine if it doesn’t I am me and proud of it
I think you nailed it when you said that your doctor says you’re in perfect health. That means that what you’re doing is what your body is needing. Plain and simple! And awesome.
Oh Nellie, that last paragraph nearly has me in tears (that’s really hard to do!) because I am so that woman. Despite the Husband’s protests, I hate what I see in the mirror. You have been such an inspiration to me over the last couple of years. You are amazing. I don’t mean that I the cliche, overused way. Maybe my health goal for the year needs to be to feel half as confident I my shape as you. Thank you for all that you do!
I absolutely love this. My body may not be perfect, but it’s perfect for me and that’s all that matters!
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”.
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!
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