When I took this “after” photo, I was in a store dressing room and had no intention of keeping it. I simply wanted to see how the top actually looked because I don’t trust the mirror. I was pretty surprised when I looked at the photo, because I did not expect to like what I saw. I fully expected to be disappointed, to see what I had become used to seeing… flaws. 

What I saw instead, was results. The results of HARD WORK. Work that I continued to do even when I wasn’t seeing the results. 

Because here’s some truth… 

Results don’t happen when we’re LOOKING for them. They happen when we’re WORKING for them.

It’s all about the compound effect. (which is also the title of an awesome book that I highly recommend) Every little thing you do adds up to bigger results. Eventually, not instantly. Every choice you make has a lasting effect. Every step you take brings you either closer or farther from your destination. 

Your health is either improving or declining. You’re either getting stronger or weaker. There is no “same.” If there were, nobody would ever have to work for anything. We would just exist as we are, with no room for improvement. 

This “after” photo was a moment of realization for me.

I realized 2 things – 1, that I had made some progress and actually didn’t want to cringe at myself (woo hoo!); and 2, that the reason I have cringed at myself in the past wasn’t because of how I looked, but because of how I felt. 

I used to think I would cringe at myself as long as I didn’t have a “bikini” body. I’m not sure I’ll ever have the desire to actually wear a bikini again, but I have learned that as long as I’m doing the work that I am physically able to do, and taking care of the body that God blessed me with… the body that used to be full of arthritis and physically unable to do the things that I can now… as long as I’m actually doing my part, the cringe reaction is gone. I can accept my “flaws,” because they are ME. They’re not the product of poor health choices or neglect, they are just part of the unique person that I am. And that is more than ok. 

My hope is this…

That you take this for what it is, my body and my story, and feel inspired to take control of your own body and your own story. I don’t want anyone else’s body, I want to take care of the one that I have. Because God made it, and I’m the only one who can take care of it. I hope you don’t want anyone else’s body. I hope that if you don’t already, that you learn to love yourself enough to take care of you. Because God made you, and you have a purpose, and a healthy you functions better than an unhealthy you. It’s just true. 

So be you, boo! Flaws and all, find the beauty in the fact that you’re the only one who can be you. Because that’s pretty freakin amazing, and you are capable of more than you know. ❤️