Love Your Body

Every year the Women's Resources program at my school puts on a challenge called "Recapturing Beauty". It is a campaign designed to help women to reshape their attitudes and opinions of their own beauty, physically and spiritually. It is designed to help women learn to "develop a greater love and appreciation for who they are as divine beings". I didn't hear about the campaign this year until the last day, so I was unable to participate in the 10 Day Challenge (or receive a free t-shirt, dang it!).

October 19th was also NOW's National Love your Body day, so I guess I've been a little bombarded this week with reasons to love myself and my new body. I'm not gonna lie, its been difficult to transition my mindset from a "fat" girl to a healthy girl. I still look in the mirror and see "fat Sammi" some days. But I have also learned to appreciate myself in a new light. And I want to share that with you.

**All photos courtesy of Tilt Photography**

 I love my smile. Its not perfect, its not even "real", but I love it nonetheless.

 I like my eyes. I like the way they change colors depending on what I'm wearing. Some days, they are a rich green. Others, a murky green blue. And once in a while, they almost look grey.

 My legs are strong. I have thunder thighs and I'm not afraid to admit it. I thought that once I lost weight, I would automatically have small legs. But I don't, and I like them this way. I have muscle definition. I can run 10 miles. Who doesn't want to be able to say that?

 I like my small waist and big hips. I'm curvy and I always will be (once again, another trait that I though would go away but didn't). But I rock my curves. And apparently boys find curvy girls more attractive...and that's always a good thing. ;)

I like my feet. This sounds weird, but hear me out. I used to have really nice looking feet. Now my feet are calloused and "veiny". My mom's feet have always been like this, and now I know why: we are runners. I have runner's feet (although hopefully I will never get runner's toe...). They aren't pretty, but they define who I am and what I do. I couldn't do any of the activities I love if I didn't have strong, calloused feet.

I like my laugh. I sound weird, my nose crinkles, and sometimes I squeak. But it means that I'm happy.

I still have fat days. I sometimes doubt myself. But I'm getting better. We are all amazing people, regardless of our physically condition, because we are made in the image of a God who loves us tremendously. We have been blessed with strong bodies and minds, and hopefully y'all can realize how amazing this is.

Have a great weekend!

Inspiring Friends

I went with two of my best friends to Zumba this week. I already go to R.I.P.P.E.D. twice a week and kickboxing, but I wanted to go with them because I LOVE that they are trying to workout more often. Erin is going to try and go to Zumba almost every day, and I think that is just fantastic.

You know, while we were in class, they really inspired me. Nowadays, working out and eating well comes pretty naturally to me. Yeah, sometimes I cheat (see the PB Cookie recipe!) but even then I try to make as many healthy substitutes as possible and watch my portions. So when my best friends are making the effort to work out more often, it reminds me of the beginning of my journey--when it was so difficult to force myself to workout, the frustrating weeks when my weight loss when south, and the adjustment to a healthier approach to cooking. Some days, it was difficult to even get out of bed because I dreaded my day so much (though that probably has a lot to do with hating my summer job...).

So thank you ladies, for being awesome and inspiring me to recommit. 

Love y'all, mean it!

(Just ignore the fact that I look like crap in this picture lol)