Define Ugly, Please.

Body Image Issues.
What woman doesn't have atleast one issue with her body? And most women will sit and pick themselves apart in the mirror, myself included, daily. What makes it okay for us to be so dang mean to ourselves???


We would never, ever tell a friend to do that! If a friend is down we don't have her go home look at herself and count the pimples on her face, the cellulite on her legs, or the stretch marks on her belly! So, why in the world to we allow ourselves to do that!?


The other night, my husband asked me why I have such low confidence in myself. I didn't have an answer. I had no idea. I proceeded to list all of things that I see wrong with myself. And it was a long list... He put his hands on either side of my face, got real close and said, "I don't see any of that stuff, you are crazy if you believe anyone else does either!"
My friend, T, she said it best:
If only we could see ourselves the way our loved ones see us.
That would be something!
But after much thought and consideration, I knew and realized one source of the problem; I grew up in the media-infested age. Where not only do celebrities grace us with their beauty, the media also picks apart their "ugly" moments. But, Gosh! Is it really ugly? It is really ugly to have a little cellulite on the back of your legs? Is it really that ugly to have a pimple on your face? Is it really so freaking ugly to have gray hair!?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! It is REAL.
So - I've started something: A test, an experiment, a breakthrough (w/e it is). It is an attempt to try and gain the confidence every woman should have!
[I'm sharing advice from my very wise and wonderful friend T, who puts up with my rantings about my body just about every time we talk.]


I'm sick of my flaws being the main focus of me. Because, lets be honest, they really aren't that bad and no one notices them- unless you are saying, "can you see the pimple on the side of my right cheek (and I mean the cheek on your face!)?!?"
Here is what I did:


I've covered every mirror that shows from my neck down. [so no full length mirrors, and definitely no three-way ones!]

I'm not buying any new clothes. I will wear what is comfortable and what I feel good in.


I'm sending myself love. Post its, index cards - whatever it takes to keep reminding myself how beautiful I am.

No more diets or scheduled crazy exercising that I end up quitting because I'm so unhappy. I will eat healthy balanced meals that are satisfying and if I want dessert, I'll eat it! Everything in moderation. I will find activities that I love. No more killing myself over a 5 mile run, because well - I'm just not a runner, at all.


No more stepping on the scale everyday. It is just devastating when I see that I gained 2 pounds, when probably its just because of the water I drink... ugh!

When I feel better about who I am , I am confident. When I'm unhappy with my flaws and I'm constantly trying to change or cover them up - well it just leads to this endless cycle of not being comfortable with who I am.



This is my challenge! I'm going to stick to this. I know that who I am inside is a beautiful & confident woman. I need to let that shine through! Is there anything you could be doing in your life to let your true beauty make an appearance?


Confidence = sexy. 
[Endless diets, awful exercising, cellulite lotion, anti-wrinkle cream, 6 different kinds of acne face wash, bikini waxing, laser spider vein treatment, anti-gray hair coloring and expensive trendy clothes to cover your flawed-ridden body = unnecessary. ]



Side Note: In this months issue of Glamour Magazine, plus-size model pose in the nude showing their beautiful curves and flaws. If they can embrace themselves for the whole world to see, I can learn to love mine in the comfort of my home! :) Baby steps..

-K