Learning to love the skin you’re in

Over the years I have had a real love hate relationship with my body. On the one hand it has given me five beautiful children and survived so much, and yet on the other there will always be parts I am not happy with and that I look in the mirror and wish I could change. And as much as I am certainly a lot more body positive these days than I have been in the past, there is always room for improvement, and I am always working to feel more confident in my own skin.

I recently asked a group of parent bloggers how they have learned to love their bodies, and the ways in which they have accepted, or changed, the things they like the least. The results were really interesting!

When I reached my forties I had a real moment of clarity and realised that life is way too short to spend it dieting, or beating myself up about not sweating it out in the gym. Ironically since I stopped with the fad diets, and ended my gym membership, I have never felt, or looked better. I think happiness really can radiate out of you! – Rachel.

I tried absolutely everything to shift stubborn areas of fat and yet regardless of diet and exercise, I just couldn’t achieve the shape I wanted. In the end I had a Fat Freezing CoolSculpting Treatment which was pain and needle free, gave fast results, and for the first time in years I felt amazing! I have no regrets whatsoever and would do it again in a heartbeat. – Yvonne.

I was introduced to positive affirmations by a friend and, although at first I was sceptical, they have really helped! Each morning I look in the mirror and I focus on the things I love the most than the things I like the least. I tell myself that I am a good person, regardless of my weight or appearance, and the more I say it the more I truly believe it. – Jenna.

I had breast implants for my thirtieth birthday and although everyone told me I didn’t need one, it completely changed the way I feel about my body. I am a huge fan of changing the things which make us unhappy, within reason, and no amount of hours in the gym was ever going to restore my boobs to their former glory! – Lisa.

I found it so interesting to see such a mixed response from other women, particularly those who had taken the plunge and made physical changes which had such a positive impact on the way they viewed their bodies. I’m hoping that the older I get the more I will embrace my body, and commend it for all it has been through. Watch this space….

** This is a collaborative post **