Being Confident In Your Own Skin

This post is very near and dear to my heart. As someone who has struggled with self-confidence and body image issues in the past, I am so happy to finally be at a place in my life where I feel healthy and beautiful. I hope that my experience can help you to take a step back and appreciate the body and mind you were born with.

I say "body and mind" because self confidence was such a mental struggle for me. I didn't have the right mindset for so many years. I thought being healthy meant working out everyday and looking good in clothes. I didn't understand that being healthy and happy had so many other meanings. I would complete extreme diet and workout regimens and lose a bunch of weight to only gain it all back. I wanted immediate results without making a long-term lifestyle change. My mindset was all about the weight and the way I looked, rather than how I felt and the long term affects.

My self confidence changed when I decided that diet and exercise is all a balance and only one aspect of my life. I realized that I could still be happy and healthy without taking my diet and exercise to extremes. No disrespect to extreme athletes, more power to you! However, that lifestyle is not for everyone. I also want to mention that having high goals for yourself is a great thing, just remember to enjoy the ride. Don't beat yourself up on days when you don't feel 100%, keep going and remember that tomorrow is a new day.

Now that my mindset towards diet and exercise has changed, I appreciate my body so much more. I know how important it is to take care of myself, inside and out. I no longer hate my stretch marks and cellulite. These things are natural and not always something we can get rid of, and that's okay! Of course I have off days, but who doesn't? Don't put pressure on yourself to be perfect everyday. Instead, appreciate your daily achievements and work towards a healthier mind-set.

At this point in my life, I enjoy going to the gym because I know it helps me feel good, keep my blood pressure down, decrease my chances of cancer, etc. I don't show up to the gym in order to look a certain way. I show up to take care of myself. The next time you go the gym, think about why you are there. Is it because it helps decrease your anxiety? decrease stress? Or do you go for different reasons?

No matter where you are in life, it is never too late to make your health and happiness a priority. Whether you are someone who makes it to the gym 3-5 days a week or hasn't step foot in a gym in years, take it one day at a time. Make the first step and never look back. Cheers to loving yourself!