I like a lot of things about myself, including the fact that I can say that statement out loud, without tempering it with a "just kidding" or an "except for..." or any of that self-defeating nonsense.
There's just not enough time in this life for that. There really isn't.
I like my arms. For years, I hid my arms under cardigans or wraps, afraid that they were too doughy, too pasty, too Margaret Thatcher, and not enough Michelle Obama.
People---I lived in Tucson, AZ and didn't wear sleeveless tops. How messed up is that?
It took until I was thirty-three years old to let my arms out of their fibrous prison. I was pregnant with Joel in July. The humidity was terrible, and I was chasing a two and a half year old around. I was HOT.
"I'm done," I said to myself, and I rolled up my sleeves.
On that miserable summer day, I stopped playing the perfect arm game, and I never looked back.
I've learned to love my arms.
I love the curve of my shoulders and the ping of my elbow.
I love that my back is strong, from my swim team years. It propelled me out of the water when I did the butterfly. It supports me when I extend into bridge pose. If I had to plow a field, it would work, in a pinch.
I love my shoulder blades, because they are strong from yoga and child-wrangling. They support me as I hold my head high.
I love these arms, my source of strength and balance. And I'm so very grateful that I can say that out loud, unashamed and grateful.
What do you love about your body? Link up with The Mommyologist for "Embrace Your Body Week."
Also, check out Think Tank Mommas "Own it, Work it, Love it" Series, which is all about loving yourself!
35 comments:
Girl, I would kill for your arms and back! You got good genes, girlfriend!
I wish I could think of something I love about my body so I could join in the fun. Unfortunately, I'm bloated and cranky and have PMS. Nothing pretty about that.
I LOVED this!!! Girl, you look amazing!! Your arms are totally awesome and you should be extremely proud of what a strong and beautiful woman you are on the inside and out!
So happy that you are a fellow yoga fan. Isn't it the best? I'm actually headed there in about a half hour and cannot wait!
There is a lot I like about you too.
Your back looks amazing! Wow! I totally need to work on swimming and yoga so I can get a back and arms like you have mama!
Your arms are AWESOME! You have hot arms!
I really like my wrists and hands; for as tall as I am, they're pretty small-boned, feminine and fine. I also like my profile; that wasn't the case before braces, but now that I no longer look like a beaver, I like it.
I would really like to like my butt, but I don't see that happening in this lifetime.
You look awesome, lady!
Gorgeous, girl. You have much to embrace about your body and to love.
Me? I'm just glad my body is still strong and capable of taking me over the miles and lifting my grandson over and over to my hip and carrying us together to the chicken coop. I am grateful to it for supporting this life of mine as I live it and the way it has performed so nicely, creating and delivering my babies.
Do you remember the ball scene in "An American President"? The one where Annette Benning wears that fabulous dress? YOU could wear that dress with those arms and that back, and you would look BETTER than Annette (and she rocked that dress)- GREAT POST!
Your arms and back are killer! You should love them! Great positive post.
You look lovely. I've been working on doing a post like this regarding the aspects of my body that I love. To be honest, it's not easy. I am not at the point in which I love my arms - they seem too flabby or big (which in reality they probably aren't).
Hopefully soon I will come to embrace and love my body.
Thanks for the post!
I need your arms. Mine are seriously ugly and I'm not even exaggerating. LOL
I was looking at those first few pictures and thinking they reminded me of something - then I got further in and realized why, yoga! I stopped doing yoga last December and boy can you see the difference. Yoga is so good for overall toning along with all the other benefits. I have to figure out how to get started again. You look great - no need to hide under any fibrous materials ever again!
You do have GREAT arms!
Wow...people would kill to have your arms. Thank god you decided to finally bare them. You look amazing!
I can't believe you wanted to cover those up! You look great!
Oh, my wife has a strong back too and it is like one of my favorite features of her. It is an underrated feature that guys generally like.
Such a confident post! love it!
Wow lady! You do have FAB arms!!
And a great back!
nice to meet ya!
:)
I didn't even realize it was embrace your body week! I love your arms, too! You're beautiful!
Check out If You Got It, Flaunt It!
You really do have a kick ass back and arms! You go girl! You look great!
http://motherhoodthetruth.blogspot.com/
I love strong arms and a strong back on a woman, too.
Beautiful post, and even better pictures.
I can't wait to link up Friday...
Absolutely awesome post. I wish I had your sense of confidence. Keep up the great work!
What a lovely post. :-)
You have awesome arms! I'm not loving my body right now but hope to soon!
Such an awesome post! Love it! :o)
Beautiful post! You have awesome arms! :)
Let's see...what do I love about my body...umm does hair count?? LOL I do love my hair and the head it is on. I have beautiful blue eyes and for thirty-something I really don't have a lot of wrinkles on my face, yet! anyways.
This is a hard one for me, I have what I think fat arms, and legs, for my 5 foot 2 frame. I have a pooch and no matter how many times I go joggin with my hubby, I can't make it go away. My feet are ugly even if I paint my toes and my hands well they just look old...
So, I think I need a total body make-over! LOL
But, regardless of all that, I do love myself, unconditionally.
I can't believe you ever worried about your arms or hid them. You are TINY, Nancy! SO cute!
I would kill for your tiny wrists. I am very big boned and I also have no ankles to speak of. Ugh. But then again, this is supposed to be Embrace Your Body, right? So I should shutup. Okay.
But you? you look awesome! I linked up w/ my post today, too!
You do have lovely arms. And lovely words. I gave you an award today. Don't feel obligated to pass it on, but I did say nice things about you.
Sheesh... does that sound like I have a middle school crush, or something?
Whatever, before I go and embarass myself...
You are beautiful! I love your arms too. You have much to embrace!
I love my ankles and calves!!!!
Your arms are tiny and cute. You should definitely keep rocking that sleeveless shirt!
Beautiful, Strong, Self-Confident, and Unashamed! I love it!
Came by from Mary's place to see my other friends in the Embrace your body challenge. I love to swim but my back doesn't look like that lol..
I think great toned arms and shoulders are one of the sexiest features a woman can have.
You have great arms and I'd love to have tiny wrists like you.
You're beautiful! :)
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