Finding New Ways to Love my Body Again

 Recently I wrote about my weight loss.
I heard from many people/ friends/family and I thank you.

The continued support while I'm making this life changing

 journey is always appreciated.

It can get a bit crazy at times.

Many times I hear

 "...oh wow, you must just LOVE how you look now..." 

and it tends to stop me in my tracks. 

The answer has been rolling around

 my head and so I thought I'd do this post for 

all to read.
I can't even begin to tell you how shocked I was 

when I went downstairs this evening

 with my camera and when my husband asked 

what I was going to take a photo of....

I said .....my belly!

WHAT?!

What was I thinking?

Why would I record that image forever 

in a photograph and then

 POST that on the web?

I bought myself some clothes today 

then posted them on Facebook.

 That inevitable comment occurred. 

Which brings me to these next photos.

 

There.

In all it's new formed glory ;)

Stretch marks

Saggy skin.

and yet also

curves.

So to answer if I "just love how I look now"...

the truth?!

Not really.

But I'm learning to.

Don't get me wrong.

There are aspects that

 I most certainly do LOVE.

I love :

that I breath better;

that my hard work paid off;

that I am stubborn enough to have not given up;

 in moments of struggling I didn't toss in the towel;

when I see a "S" or a "M" on a tag;

when I climb stairs, my knees no longer scream obscenities at me.

I love opening my email and reading messages

 that I've inspired someone.

That reading my posts and seeing my photos

made something click for them and

they are ready to start making changes in their own life.

I love being healthier.

I love being happier.

I love looking back and seeing just

 how far I've managed to bring myself.

Finding new ways to

 love my body again

 is my new goal.

I see my saggy belly.

I see the skin on my arms and legs.

It took me just over two years to lose

the weight. It may take me that long to love

my body again.

I'm willing to take the time.

I'm willing to put in the effort.

I am going to start toning.
Working on building muscle that
winks at me from just below that saggy skin.

This journey is far from over for me.
I will struggle.

I will falter.

I will never give up.

I WILL LOVE MY BODY AGAIN.