What part of your body do you love the most? 

  Several years ago, at a previous gym, this question was posed to the women members in preparation for a “Body Love” photoshoot and blog series. For some, that’s probably an easy question. For others, it’s hugely challenging. When I was asked, I was torn. I wanted to say things like “My smile!” except I had noticed more and more wrinkles…or “My abs”…because they had been showing up more and more, except I was embarrassed by, and am still even now by my “pooch” that I have always had.
  

  When you can look around and see a room full of hot bodies…bodies you’d love to have…it’s hard to say that what you’ve got compares. AND THAT SHOULD BE THE POINT. That no matter the comparison, because that is bound to happen, value should not be based upon it.
  This subject has been something that I had been giving a lot of thought to over the past several years, and I was glad to finally have the nudge necessary to put my thoughts down on paper. For three years I had the privilege of being the head coach of a predominantly woman-athlete Crossfit program. I saw beautiful bodies…not because of their perfect breasts or firm thighs (although there were some of those for sure!) but because the bodies…small and big, tall and short, lean or heavy, were all TRYING. And it was with great personal joy I would see a smile spread across the athlete’s face when, in that moment, they were honoring their effort…a phrase I often wrote on the board underneath the workout. In that moment, their whole body was loved.

  It’s because of those years that I have been rather introspective. I have often begrudged my heavy thighs, my “pooch”, my pear shape. I have wanted something leaner, more tone, less difficult to dress. But I am coming to see with the reality that my body, as imperfect (in comparison) as it is, HAS DONE EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER ASKED OF IT. Sure, it could be better, stronger, faster. But even in struggle or failure, my body has remained true. It stood proudly in uniform as I joined the military and with strength, affording me the privilege of serving our country. It runs when I tell it to, it climbs a rope, it swims after months out of the water. It recovers when I stay up too late, eat too much or too little, and heals when I hurt it, forgives when I abuse it. It allows me to pick up a heavy weight, teach a class, demonstrate a movement even if I’m not warmed up. It gives me the health I take for granted, and the strength to pour myself into others, even when they don’t know I am doing it. It may not be the leanest, or the fittest, or the tallest, or the strongest, but my body is dedicated to me and all I ask of it.

  Which of course, brings me to the photo shoot. I was too caught up in what flaws I saw to really find something I was willing to let the photographer feature, and so I asked my two young children. “What do you think is the best part of momma’s body? What do you think is the neatest thing that momma’s body can do?” In the naivete of their youth, I wanted to be careful about how I phrased that, lest I project on them what society will do anyway. Their responses? “Your heart…because it loves us very much. And your arms…because they hug us and show us that you love us and they keep us safe.” And this is where my body has truly gone above and beyond. With ease, my body carried two healthy babies. I had two easy and fast deliveries. I struggled with breastfeeding, yet my body still provided. I struggled with frustration, yet my body still got up every morning and carried me through my challenges. I can now
pick up my man-child son, and I can hold my daughter close when she needs a snuggle. I was able to chase them and play with them, and I can walk away from them when my emotions are too sharp or my frustration too high.

  So today, as I try and decide what part of my body I love, I still have no answers. I see the influence of society on my acceptance of my flaws, and I recognize that the grace I so freely give others (and passionately encourage them to give themselves) is something I often deny myself. But those things I hold back from myself, that acceptance, is in the mind. For in the body, I am strong and amazing. Because my body has done everything I have ever asked of it, and today,

I honor my body’s effort, because it is most deserving. If you struggle similarly, join me by giving yourself grace, Honor Your Effort, and stand confidently in your successes, despite what you see as flaws. We are each uniquely made, and I for one am ready to celebrate that, along with the ups and downs that come with each stage of life.

Need some help on your self talk? Reach out.

CoachMegSmith@gmail.com