Body Positivity

Well, it has been quite some time since I sat down and wrote a post. I hadn't thought of any good topics to talk about and quite frankly politics, which are always on my mind, just don't get me started! Haha.

Anyways, the topic at hand today is body positivity. It has become a movement in the last couple of months with more women being confident in their skin, whether they are on the larger or smaller side. Shows like, My Big Fat Fabulous Life really help reach out to the ones who are unsure about what they see in the mirror. Whitney Thore is so confident in her skin while being close to 400lbs. I've never been confident ever! It's impressive to me and yet, it makes me question myself and why I haven't had any confidence.

My weight didn't effect my thinking until I decided to go to public school after being home-schooled from 7th-10th grade. I can only think of a few instances where someone had mentioned my weight in those times and yeah, it hurt but I was still growing up and it really didn't bother me. But, once you're in an environment with other teenagers and around boys, who doesn't feel insecure? I know I'm not the only one! You just throw a smile on your face and try to walk it off.

 Now a days, it seems that more people have issues with their bodies or rude comments being made towards their appearance. Even when someone is confident in their own body someone still feels the need to try and break them down. But, at some point you have to realize there will always be a Negative Nancy out there who wants to bring people down. Their opinions shouldn't matter, why? Because who cares what others think of your body, it's yours! Feel how you want to feel! Everyone has the right to feel beautiful.

Everyone has their own opinion of what the perfect body looks like. Social media does, you do, and I do but the only opinion that should matter is yours. And remember, there is no such thing as perfect.

Our society has become so intertwined with the sizes on clothing or the number on the scale. Why are we letting those insignificant numbers define us? Is that going to give us the self worth we desire? Not at all! Those numbers will keep decreasing and some will never be happy. If you keep seeing yourself as fat and keep telling yourself that everyday then what are you going to believe? That little voice in your head will always win over the voices from people around you, believe me. I've been there and one day you have to say enough is enough.

Body Positivity starts with yourself. If you want to lose weight I'm not saying don't. I still have plans to drop a few pounds but I'm not going to let the scale control my life or when I go out to dinner with friends or my husband. Another thing to remember is, confidence shines and can be contagious. Don't let anyone bring you down!

I'll end there since I feel like I'm rambling, teehee. Just remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and everyone deserves to feel beautiful (or handsome :p).

-JNB

Trying New Things,

    Now a days most things that seem healthy are not. Many items are packed with different forms of corn ranging from Xanthum Gum to High Fructose Corn Syrup. After watching many documentaries I have realized that the groups put in place to protect our health are doing the exact opposite. Don't get me wrong, I love food! I have struggled with weight my whole life and still am. It's hard to find a balance between getting into a new lifestyle and still wanting to enjoy the delicious foods we see all around us. Many will argue for moderation and that's fine, but how is that going to help in the long run? We would still be eating things that could cause damage to our body. I don't want to risk my health for something that is only going to make me happy until it's gone and I want more. That just won't do.
    I have realized that I have plenty of time on my mind. I could be baking bread and making my own refried beans and what not. Why aren't I? It is definitely a healthier option and something that I will be trying in the next few weeks. It'll give me something to do and will also cut out a lot of processed items I don't need while still allowing me to eat something that is delicious. The only person that is stopping me is myself.

The Reality of Society,

Everyone deals with criticism. No one has ever been excused from it and no one ever will be. People use criticism to build one another up, but mostly to tear someone down. Criticism comes at times when we least expect or want it and from people we have thought higher of. Recently, I was criticized for my choices in life. I was criticized for not having a job or going to college and by not doing one or the other I am a "dependa", especially since my husband is in the military.
     The term "dependa" gets a lot of bad criticism because you are known to be fat, lazy, and you just do nothing. Let's get one thing clear, these people criticizing me do not know me. They do not know my life or my ambitions. They only see that I do not have a job or a degree. In today's society someone is practically nothing without one or the other. Their self worth is demolished and they pity themselves. It doesn't help that society has created such a norm and that once in the cycle it is hard to break free from. Women are busy trying to climb ladders and jump through hoops to become better than a man. They have stepped out of their  normal role as housewife or mother for many hours of the day. Now, I am not knocking those who work because some need to since one income is not enough.
     You and even my critics know that I do not have children at this point in life but I do have a job. My job is as a housewife. My job is taking care of our pets so they do not have to be locked up all day. My job is running the house, cleaning and cooking. My job is as a writer. I have all of these jobs but not one is considered such. There are also a few things I would like to do in life but under circumstances make them quite difficult. I want to have a rescue for dogs and I want to foster children and in the future I will.
    My days may not be as full as others, but that's fine because this is what I have chosen. Criticism can be brushed off or taken and I choose to brush it off. My husband and I are fine with my choices and that is all that matters. We are a team and if depending on him makes me a "dependa" then I guess it makes everyone who is married one. We are all supposed to lean on our spouses and there is nothing wrong with that.