Chunky. Plump. Curly head. Loner. A little big for her age. In elementary school, these were all names and phrases that I heard … in my direction. These names were uttered behind my back by peers or worse, by adults to my grandparents or parents. As an elementary school-aged kiddo, I was fully aware that this was going on. Did it hurt? For sure! But, it never bothered me deep down to my core, as it often does for youngsters. I don’t know exactly why this was the case. However, I can tell you that even as a young kid, I focused on those who loved me and who helped strengthen my spirit and was somehow able to block out those who didn’t. Perhaps this was some sort of abnormal psychological feat for a third grader, I don’t know. Regardless, this ability served me well … and helped decrease the crying and degree of bruises to the soul, during my youngster years.

Once middle school came around, I got into sports and grew up and into myself (literally). At this point, I started to lose the “baby chub.” And the “chub names,” suddenly stopped. In fact, they began to call me “skinny Corinney.” Now,as a little elementary schooler, I was by NO means “fat,” obese, or overweight. Yet, I was NOT a skinny bean pole either, a pole with a few extra beans, yes … just not a pole with extra bushes of beans. Thus, the change from “chunky” to “skinny Corinney” during my transition from elementary to middle school shocked me. I remember thinking, “Wow. I’m not that much different. Several pounds have been lost, but not “skinny Corinney” deserving. I can’t believe my weight is how people are defining me … WTF is wrong here.” Yes, WTF because I was that upset by it.

Since this time-revealing moment in the sixth grade, years have passed, and so have hundreds of women that I’ve seen who define themselves (and their feelings) by the digitalized number that stares them back on the white plastic square, which sits in their bathroom. But, what they don’t realize is the important stuff aka … what the scale doesn’t tell them!

The scale doesn’t tell you how awesome you are for being able to lift 12 pounds now instead of 5, finishing that extra mile, flying up those flight of stairs instead of becoming winded, cooking an amazing healthful meal that gets your family wanting to eat at home more, or hitting the gym an extra day in your week. The scale also doesn’t tell you how fabulous you are for scoring that huge office presentation, taking time out to call that friend in need, holding the door open more, lending a listening ear, or volunteering in your community. You get my point. YOU are more than the digitalized number on your scale. YOU are a fun-loving, smart, sassy, health-loving gal. You wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t.

And trust me, we all believe we have “body faults.” Learn to embrace them. Accept them as what makes you—you. I, for example, have a cellulite “spot” on my right thigh. Is it going anywhere? No. No matter my exercise routine, weight, or food choices, it’s there and sticking. And, I’m okay with it because I feel good! Exercising and eating right makes me feel peaceful and powerful. Nothing that scale says or how my thighs look is going to bring me down. It’s simply more than the number, or “flaws.” It’s about feeling well, balanced, and strong. Ultimately, it’s about feeling at peace with yourself and  when that happens everything else seems to come into place.

Keeping a Positive Self-Image: Insight from YOU!

Last week, I asked you, “How do you keep a positive self-image in today’s “skinnified world?” Here is what YOU said.

• Instead of looking in the mirror & pointing out negative, try to find at least 1 positive. Hopefully you’ll gradually find more! Via Embrace Nutrition
• In today’s skinnified world, I keep my sanity by putting my trust in my body to reach its natural size, shape and tone on its own. Of course, I fuel it with healthy whole foods and keep it moving with regular hard exercise sessions to help the process, but in the end — my body knows better than any skinny girl magazine spread does, and I just try to listen to it
• The best way to keep a positive body image is to simply follow your body’s cues. By listening to your body, you can ensure that you’ll feel your best, and in return, have a positive image of yourself!
• I keep in mind that I don’t have to look super skinny to be pretty. I try to look and feel healthy. Plus my boyfriend says I need to gain weight which always helps
• I try to eat well and exercise — I don’t always succeed, but I remind myself that as long as I am healthy, not looking like a model is NOT important!
• I make sure to surround myself with positive people like my family and friends. Being around positive people, in turn, makes me a more positive person. I also try to treat my body well by exercising and eating healthy. Via Kristen from the Swanky Dietitian
• I try to make smart choices, but also cut myself some slack when I make a poor one rather than dogging on myself, which inevitably seems to lead to more poor choices from being down. Staying positive is definitely a huge factor in success!
• I stay positive by reminding myself that I am strong, and that skinny is not an attribute I strive toward. I work towards developing other attributes within myself that are not skinny but that are strong, fast, healthy, happy, and nice to others. Via Jess from A Fete for Food (It’s her birthday on August 25th! Wish her the best )
• How do I keep a positive self image in today’s world? I have banned fat talk from my life, and instead use positive mantras of strength and beauty to get by. I eat real whole foods, and get exercise to feel great about myself. I surround myself by real people who are beautiful, and uplifting, and remind myself that people come in all different shapes and sizes and that you don’t have to be a size 00 to be gorgeous. Via Elizabeth from Guiltless
• I stay positive by reminding myself and my clients that your body is a gift! If you learn to appreciate your body for all the wonderful things that it does for you each and every day, you begin to treat your body better by eating well and exercising. Eating well and exercising leads to feeling GOOD! When you feel good, little things like your dress size aren’t really an issue any more! Joy comes from within!
• My positive self image comes from my husband and family and they love me no matter what
• I focus on health, not size or shape…it keeps me feeling great about me! Via Nicole from Prevention RD
• I keep a positive self-imagine by reminding myself that no matter what, I will always be me, and nothing can change that. We are all unique in our own way and I strive everyday to focus on the positives and not the negatives. While I may hate my stomach, I love my legs, my soft skin, and my bright white teeth! Focusing on the negative things gets me nowhere, but focusing on the positive things makes me feel good about myself and I’m better able to make others feel good about themselves too! I think it’s also important to NOT focus only on physical attributes, but to also remind yourself that beauty is only skin deep. Positive attitudes and wearing a smile on your face can really make people attracted to you, no matter WHAT you look like! Via Gina from The Candid RD
• I try to keep positive by believing that in the end things will be ok, and it’s not worth the stress and pain of worrying about external things like how I look, what job I have, or if I’m not doing enough. I try to look at who I am and how far I’ve come, enjoy life and be thankful for the wonderful people in my life. I try not to compare myself to others, but look inside to find that inspiration within myself and focus on the positives Via Kristen from Eating RD

Happy Healthifying!