Big Girls Don’t Cry | Body Image vs Health Conscious

I’m about to get naked, right here…right now.  Naked, meaning share my PERSONAL views on body image, health, and self Love.  I’m going to remove the “cover ups” and get real and bold with it.  If you are brave enough to stay and watch, you just might be provoked to do the same.

I’ve always been larger than the “typical” size all my life, from childhood to right this very moment.  And let me tell you this…BIG GIRLS DO CRY.  How can you grow up in a society that is image based and that sets an unreasonable standard for what beautiful is, and NOT cry…sometimes?  However, truth be told, almost ALL women cry in secret, in small groups, in public.  Because we are consistently getting messages of what we SHOULD be, and if you embrace those messages it means you are constantly battling the hurt of what your are NOT.  Yes, I’ve cried as a child from being teased for being overweight.  I cried as a teenager because I wanted to look like “those” girls.  I cried as a woman because it’s a struggle to achieve the IMPOSSIBLE…but dammit, I’m done crying over this!

I am done with having “them” tell me how I should feel about me, and THAT is where my emergence begins.  I am consciously doing what is necessary to be healthy and fit.  Am I “perfect”? Absolutely not.  I eat healthy and exercise.  I am learning how to do BOTH of those better every day…but who isn’t?  I have learned and FINALLY embraced that health and fitness is a life journey not a SIZE DESTINATION.  I know what I am doing to be the best me I can be, and therefore I deserve to love E-V-E-R-Y bit of me throughout this journey.

What person in their right mind abuses a baby for falling when they are learning to walk, or spilling food when they are learning to eat, or scribbling when they are first learning to write?  We embrace them, we protect them, we nurture them, we teach them until they GET IT.  Because we understand that IT IS A PROCESS.  We understand that IT TAKES TIME.  We  understand that THEY NEED US IN ORDER TO GROW.  So why can’t we do the same thing for ourselves?  It is NOT about making excuses to remain an “infant” in our health and fitness.  However, it IS about embracing, protecting, nurturing, and teaching OURSELVES through the process.  

So, I invite ALL WOMEN, no matter your size, shape, age, health status, or fitness level to join me.  Let go of the labels and embrace the Love…of YOURSELF.  Get healthy, fit, and whole; but love yourself along the way.  When you Love someone you want the best for them, and you support them every step of the way along the journey.  “Give yourself permission to Love and be Loved”. Will you join me in the journey?

Creatively Inspired,

Ivy LaArtista