Dear Me,
For months, you have been lifting weights, jogging and pushing yourself to go to the gym several times a week. You have made efforts to eat more fruits and veggies, more lean protein and less sugar. You have tried to get more sleep, drink more water and walk as much as you can. Before that, you didn't exercise, you didn't drink enough water, and you ate foods high in fat and sugar. You made poor choices and didn't take care of your body.
I know that tonight before you go to bed, tomorrow when you wake up and throughout the day, you are going to turn sideways and look in the mirror to see how you look. You are going to judge yourself harshly and critically, and you won't be kind to yourself.
I need you to remember some things for the next time you want to make bad choices about food and exercise, or when you look in the mirror and are unhappy:
Your body has changed slowly over the past eight months. It isn't where you want it to ultimately be yet, but your clothes fit differently. You are buying a dress size smaller than you were before. It will continue to change as you continue to take care of yourself.
You are allowed to stumble on the road to making yourself more healthy. You can still enjoy desserts and pasta, and take a couple days off from the gym. All that means is that you need to try harder the next day.
This process takes more than a week, or a month or eight months. It's OK if it takes you two years, but it takes that other person four months. If you are making progress and building healthy habits in those two years, it was worth every minute.
The people you love most and who love you do not see the flaws that you study every day. They see a confident, hard-working, kind woman. They don't care about your love handles or that your thighs touch. They just want you to be happy and healthy. And these people are your biggest supporters along your journey. Lean on them if you need them.
Today, when you think about how much you don't want to go to the gym and how good a piece of cake would taste, think about how you enjoy being sore more. Being sore means you worked your muscles hard and made progress. Think about how much clearer your skin is when you exercise and eat less sugar. Think about your favorite pair of shorts that keep getting bigger and bigger on you, and how you can't wait to have them taken in.
Above all, love yourself at every stage. Accept your flaws, work hard and push yourself. You are stunning at any weight or dress size.
Love Always,
Me
