Yeah. That's me. Circa December 2002. I was 20 years old and about 195 lbs.
When Dizzle saw this picture, the first thing she said was, "Mom. That's you before you cut your hair." My thought was, "Yes. It's also when I had apparently swallowed a cow." But before those words came out of my mouth, I had a second thought.
Compare this picture (from September 2010) to the one above.
The first thing I notice is that I am much thinner now. But, not Dizzle. She didn't notice my size at all. What she saw was her mom - just with different hair. She wasn't critical of me in the least. So why was I?
Without even realizing it, she reminded me that I need to accept my body for what it is (good or bad). And that I need to love it for what it can do (make babies, rock a running skirt, run a marathon) and forgive it for what it can not (fit into a size 0).
Wow. Wonder if Dizzle realizes how smart she is? Probably.
Great lesson from Dizzle..
ReplyDeleteand you seriously rock the short hair!!
Amazing lesson for all of us! Now that I have a daughter- I think twice about so much I say body related
ReplyDeleteDizzle, great thought process!
ReplyDeleteAnd please please remember that most people do NOT fit into a size 0 (or size 8 thank-you-very-much) and that's ok. You are beautiful and fit. Healthy is key, right?
She is one smart cookie! :)
ReplyDeleteI love kids!
ReplyDeleteLOL, out of the mouths of babes!
ReplyDeleteLove it! That Dizzle sure is awesome!
ReplyDeleteDizzle is great! This post does make me want to get out the door and run, though!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Just awsome.
ReplyDeleteim pretty sure if you asked dizzle if she knew how smart she was she would say yes. =) and hey you're a rockstar! and I'm pretty sure if your tall self fit into a size 0...you would look pretty darn creepy (and probably couldn't run a marathon)
ReplyDeleteDizzle rocks!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard the Russian folk tale - "My mother is the most beautiful person in the world". It's about a little lost boy, and when they ask him stuff about his mother (to help him find her), he always responds with "My mother is the most beautiful person in the world." When they finally happen upon an old, unattractive, peasant... the little boy recognizes his mother... who, to him, is the most beautiful person in the world.
BUT, with all that told, I think you look great in both photos!
Kids are awesome!! They surely put life in perspective. With today being Halloween parties at school my 9 yr old dressed up as "Me"- a marathon runner. That is what is sees. Not any of my flaws, but she see a running mom that has medals. Kids are just amazing!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! Isn't it wonderful to know that our kids see our true selves!! Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great post! One of the many things we will struggle with as we raise girls. The tough part will be constanty reminding them to love themselves and not a number like all the media outlets suggest. When I see the before pic of you I thought of how much you have accomplished since that picture. Bet you would have never guessed you would be married, raising 3 girls and pounding out the miles :)
ReplyDeleteHoly moly! It's like looking at a picture of myself. I shed a lot of weight after my first was born, including about 20 lbs of curly hair.(Short hair it totally awesome, BTW.) Isn't it wonderful to feel strong and healthy? I haven't run a marathon yet, but I hear MCM or Richmond calling me from next fall.
ReplyDeleteKids are funny. I remember thinking my mother was the most beautiful woman in the world, and I know my boys feel the same about me. I am beautiful because they love me.
What a great little girl you've raised! And good job on catching yourself before you said something out loud. Way to be a good example :)
ReplyDeleteThis post made me smile...BIG! I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteLittle ones always teach us some good lessons.
ReplyDeleteYour kids are smart. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, I wish we could all view others with the same untainted, nonjudgemental lenses. Kids are so pure. This morning on the Today show Al Roker was dressed as Superman. My husband said something about him being a "black Superman" and Levi said, "I didn't see the black one, just the normal blue and red one." He didn't even notice skin color. We are all the same! Love it! =)
ReplyDeleteKids are so cute and teach us the best lessons! And you look great!! in BOTH pictures!
ReplyDeleteYou really don't look that big. You kind of look how I do now -- and I'm FAR from 195lbs (about 40lbs far from it).
ReplyDeleteI'm just hoping you're really really tall and that's why your super-fat weight looks like my chubby (but I like to think not ginormous?) self.
Dizzle already knows that's just the wrapping, it's what is inside that counts!
ReplyDeleteFit isn't a number, it's a lifestyle!
awesome...
ReplyDeleteWhat does it mean, though, that your skinny picture is you posing with a pig?? :)
I hope she keeps that perspective!
ReplyDeleteBut HOLLA you look so fantastic!!! Not to mention that you must FEEL 8 billion times better.
I think if people lived through the eyes of kids the world would be a much better place! :)
ReplyDeleteour kids are really much smarter than us. but it only shows that you did a great job raising them =)
ReplyDeleteNice job on catching yourself. I would have blurted and then regretted!
ReplyDeleteYou look totally different and I applaude your daughter for her perspective (although I must admit that you DON'T look like you swallowed a cow at all! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant little girl you have! I loved that while browsing Lululemon's site one day, Brenton exclaimed, "look Mama, it's you!" I didn't correct him either :)
ReplyDeleteI love hearing how kids look at the world. It is one of the joys of my job too! It is so true that we have to love our bodies and ourselves no matter what. I still have quite a bit to lose, but I try to live life regardless! Thanks for sharing your picture and story!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look so good!!! And, I hope Dizzle can keep her bright perspective!! I just started blogging and enjoy following your blog!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize we were the same age! I too, watch what I say around my daughter when it is body-related. We actually moved our scale out of the bathroom and into the garage to 1)keep us from weighing ourselves obsessively, and 2)keep our kids from seeing us do this and starting a bad habit. You have made such progress since 2002!!
ReplyDelete