My body is fat, with a BMI that makes my doctor tilt his head like a quizzical dog and sigh. My body is also strong and healthy. Maybe that’s what has my doctor so quizzical. My body is defying all the conventional wisdom about the perils of obesity.
My body has 46 inches of scars (from one surgery!), a tattoo, four missing teeth thanks to orthodontics, and extra bones in my feet that hurt. All. The. Time.
I used to hate my body. It didn’t conform to the flawless and waif-thin images that our society cleaves to. I, on the other hand, did conform to all that conventional thinking about what was beautiful, and that made me hate my body.
Because I hated it, I mindlessly treated my body terribly, eating the wrong things and too much, not exercising enough, sleeping poorly and doing things that did me no good.
As I grow older, I’ve realized that my body – my healthy, perfectly functional body – is one of the most cherished and valuable things I have. It’s my most important tool. It gives me joy. It lets me experience life. It’s powerful, ever-changing, self-calibrating and amazing.
My body. In every sense it’s a really big deal.
The Pink Elephant Room 
Quite a lovely body 🙂 I’ve always been of the opinion that my body is the only one I’m ever going to have, so I’ll be happier if I can choose to love it, and care for it as best I can!
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You are a wise soul, Ms. Kathye! Self-love isn’t vanity (a la Malvolio), it’s a form of communion with God.
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The first paragraph had me laughing right out loud (we must have the same Dr.) but as I become older I am of the same mind set regarding health living needing to be a priority because truly without our health we have nothing. Thanks for another great read Audrey 😉
Thea
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Thea, I just read an article last night that I think you will enjoy: http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/what-im-saying-and-what-im-not-saying/
It`s about the “healthy at every size” movement (I didn’t know there was a movement, but guess I’m a member anyway!). Healthy, happy and contributing to the world is what matters most.
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Just seeing this now…will definitely check it out! thanks Audrey 😉
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Hope you like it, Thea!
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