Love Yourself

I posted these photos during the week, which highlighted the progress I've made in my health and fitness journey. It wasn't until early this year that I realized that being healthy is not just about shedding those pounds and exercising all time. It's about accepting and loving yourself. Once you start loving yourself, you want to treat yourself well. Things like eating better or exercising become actions out of love not guilt. Many people start a fitness journey because they feel this deep rooted guilt, and they think that a run is going to fix it. A run helps, but it's not the motivating factor that's keeps you going.

This time a year ago, I finally decided I was going to commit to a work out routine. I had been eating well for a few months and had lost some weight, so it felt like a good transition. My mindset was "one day at a time." To me there was no point to overwhelm myself thinking about months or years in the future. Really, I am only promised today, so might as well make the most of it and focus one day at a time. When I completed my work out program 30 days later I felt amazing! It was the first time in a long time that I felt great about myself in my fitness journey. From that point it just blossomed. I loved the idea of loving myself from the inside and out. The more self love I bring, the more love I can give to others. Now I want to continue to eat healthy and exercise, because it makes me happy and these actions show that I love myself.

I know this could sound strange and completely narcissistic, but it's real and it works! Give yourself a big hug! Tell yourself that you are amazing. Say this out loud, "I love me," and really mean it :)

The photo on the left is me at age 20 and the photo on the right was me this past Christmas at age 23

Remember beauty is on the inside and outside.

Love,

The City Feline