We are now a week into Shirley’s 100 days and I thought I’d share with you how we began. We kicked things off with a conversation after we’ve taken her “Before” photos and a run-through of the things I needed her to remember. She shared with me her current weight, body fat percentage and measurements and (with her permission) am sharing them with you for reference.
AGE: 26
HEIGHT: 5’2″
WEIGHT: 161 lbs and 3 0z
PULSE per Minute: 80
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE: 32.2%
FAT MASS: 51 lbs. and 12 oz
When we first talked about the movement, I said that there is nothing else I needed from her other than the dedication and the solid commitment throughout the entire 100 days. I told her to constantly keep in touch with me and to take things one day at a time. It was easy to say yes to this, especially because we were just starting but I needed to be sure she was in it for reasons that would keep her going way past the duration of this challenge.
Her “Before” photos were taken using my phone. And when she asked me to send her copies for her file, I asked her to take a long look at the photos and tell me what she liked about herself based on them. Her initial comment was “Ang taba ko!” (“I look fat!). I asked her again and got a long pause. The next thing that came was “Ang hirap naman ng tanong mo,” (“That’s a difficult question,”). I knew it was.
This conversation reminded me of myself a few years ago. When all I ever wanted was to be thin or skinny because then, that was how I thought “beautiful” girls looked like. And up to this day, many women still refuse to see things that are beautiful about their body. Why? Because we were raised to think that beauty has to LOOK a certain way. If there’s anything most women need to change about themselves to become healthier, it’s in the way they see their own bodies. More often, we stand in front of the mirror and notice the things we want to get rid of or change before anything else. Very rarely do we look at ourselves and just feel happy in our own skin.
“My face?” Was her reply after about a minute of thought. It was really difficult for her to answer so I changed the question. “Okay, if you strip yourself of all the fat (I easily asked her this because she’s my best friend), what do you think are the things that you like about your body?” “I used to have cuts in the ab area, I think I can get those back. I also think I have a pretty nice butt.” And after asking her a few more questions about why she thinks she can complete the challenge, I knew that she was ready to make that change.
We all need a little appreciation–and it helps a lot when it comes from yourself. Now, I know you’ve heard this a million times before and from hundreds of campaigns and advertisements but they won’t be saying it if it isn’t true. Beauty does start from within. And when I say within, it begins with your thoughts. So take a long look at yourself at the mirror everyday and find something beautiful–something to be thankful for about your body. Once you slowly learn to accept your flaws, you also start being more comfortable about yourself. Set an intention to workout, to eat right and live a healthy lifestyle because you care for yourself and not because you don’t like what you see in the mirror.
They say strong is the new sexy. That’s true.
Self-acceptance is a sign of strength and you don’t have to be physically fit, slim or ripped to be considered strong OR sexy. STRONG IS THE NEW SEXY REGARDLESS OF HOW “STRONG” LOOKS LIKE TO YOU. Stay beautiful!
The amazing photograph from the featured image is by Laura Williams, SWNS.com
