Love Yourself

The more I continue with this program the more I'm starting to really love myself. When I look in the mirror I no longer see the negatives; Some particular aspects I always used to focus on were how much my stomach was sticking out, how un-toned my butt was & how small my breasts looked. Now when I look in the mirror those things aren't issues any more---- I have a six-pack & a flat stomach and my butt is starting to get super-firm.

 My breast issues have been a bit more of a mental hurdle for me (lets face it, you can't exercise your breasts bigger!) but I'm finally starting to accept them the way they are. Lets face it, they're not a small size, they're quite plainly visible & they're a pretty nice shape. I have noticed them getting perkier (possibly due to pec dec exercises) and I have some better cleavage going on due to my chest pressing. I think I've spent too much time mentally comparing my own breasts to those of some of my bustier friends. Of course the ironic thing is that all my bustier friends complain about their size & have problems with back pain--- so they don't find their size desirable at all! It's funny how we all want what someone else has isn't it?

Other than the physical aspects I'm starting to appreciate other things about myself; such as my cooking abilities & my dedication to the program. I don't think I would have believed it if I'd been told a couple of years ago that I'd have a six pack & would train 4-5 times a week with free weights at the age of 20! I also know now that's its alright to be confident about myself & my own abilities. There's no need to play yourself down to others, hold yourself back or pretend to be less than you are. I think this poem one of my friends sent me sums this up well:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.