On January 31, 2010 I wrote this post.
Honestly, I had to go back and reread it because I had completely forgotten what I wrote. I had a plan then. I had goals then. I had the dream of running a marathon then. Most of those things happened.
I posted these pictures that day.
Amazingly I wasn’t nervous about putting half naked pictures of myself on the internet for anyone and everyone to see. 
Now – almost 10 months later – it still isn’t a problem!!
Why should it be? My body has done so many amazing things for me over the past 31 years. It carried me through my childhood, teen years, a wedding day and on. It has carried me through every single day. It has carried two beautiful little girls. It helped me run an amazing 5k with my little girl! I was even one of the mother’s featured in a Woman’s Day article. I ended up getting some unexpected flack and negativity regarding the article, but I even had the courage to write a post to the haters.
I once wrote a post talking about why I must love my body.
I once wrote a post about why I love my legs.
I even wrote a post about seeing myself the way my daughter’s see me.
The point is that the Exposed Movement forced me to look deep inside myself and be proud of who I am, what I am and where I am.
Today – almost 10 months later – I am still proud of who, what and where I am.
I am a good wife.
I am a good mother.
I am a good daughter.
I am a good sister.
I am a good friend.
I am a good person.
I am beautiful.
I am strong.
I am me…EXPOSED…AGAIN!
I still have days where my body isn’t my favorite thing in the world. I still have days where I don’t feel like exercising. I still have days where I DON’T work out. I still have days where two chocolate chip cookies are required to make it through the day. I still have days where it’s cereal for dinner. I still have days that are two or more coffee days.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE OK!
I move on to the next day and start again. That’s what life is all about. It’s about living in the moment. Loving in the moment. Being happy in the moment. Being proud in the moment. Being said in the moment. Being lazy in the moment. Being _____ in the moment.
Then you move on to the next moment and begin again. You conquer, enjoy, work through, deal with or fix whatever “the moment” brings you.
Then smile.
I’m still not a hard body, but I am me – and that’s all that matters.
We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be. ~ Jane Austen
Hard body shmard body. You’re rocking it!
I’m not as confident as you with my body because my body isn’t as cute as yours! But I do love my body even though I have a few more stretch marks after having my son!
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LOVE LOVE LOVE it. In fact, I adore you throughout the past 10 months of getting to know you because you’re real. You’re honest and you’re funny. Yes..and you’re cute..is that ok to say? I hope that you’re girls continue to be a light for you..and know that you’re doing amazing!!!!
Mish – I adore you … PERIOD!
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You are an amazing and strong person. Thank you for sharing your pictures and being a part of the exposed movement. It’s great to see so many people appreciate and share all that their bodies have done for them. Keep being you!
You are so brave and awesome for doing that. I am trying to work up the courage to do the same thing . . .
To all who have left such amazingly sweet, supportive and beautiful comments on this post … THANK YOU!! You mean more to me than you could ever know.
Maria
Maria, I would love your opinion on this, especially as someone very aware of how people view body image. I’m very curious on your take on people using the Body Mass Index as a weight loss guide, or on the system itself. I don’t know how often it is used in the medical community for gauging people’s health (I know in my college health class we all had to figure out our BMIs though). But I do know that this is a tool that people can use simply by googling a lot of different online BMI calculators. Some simply place you in a category from underweight to morbidly obese, and other calculators even divy out an “ideal weight” for your height. I was curious on what you think the benefits are of this method, and the drawbacks.
I know personally I do think that height and weight often don’t account for body types, and seem to put the importance on a number instead of healthy living (though a lot of the sites do offer healthy lifestyle advice and recipes). I still consider myself overweight and realize I still have a long way to go before I reach the level of health I want to achieve. However something like the BMI seems more like a esteem killer than a helpful tool.
According to the calculators online, my “ideal weight” is 90 lbs. You have met me in person, and I’m curious on your take on that. I don’t think my body was ever meant to weigh that little, even though I am only 58.5 inches. It was more meant for pulling plows in the fields in Russia or carrying giant beer mugs in a beer garden in germany
My own personal goal weight is 120 pounds and to be more active in doing things I love, like hiking! Of course, the BMI index would consider a girl of my height at 120 pounds as borderline overweight. I find the idea of me weighing 90 lbs a little scary!
Anyway, just curious on your thoughts! I have not had a doctor who seems to push the BMI as the only tool out there to get an idea of a healthy weight, but I see it more and more these days online.
Kara – Hey sweetie!! First of all let me start by saying you are BEAUTIFUL!!! Don’t use the BMI as anything other than a guide. YOu know your body and how/when it feels it’s best. If weighing 90lbs isn’t comfortable for you than don’t weigh 90lbs. You should feel comfortable in your own skin and nothing else should matter.
Having said that if you want to use the BMI for a guide I like the CDC website (cdc.gov which says that your “ideal weight is 90lbs to 121lbs) for calculating BMI. There is also a website (scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html) that helps you calculate your BMI, waist – to – height ratio, lean body mass and body fat percentage by inputing your height, weight and measurements. This is a much more accurate view of your body overall (in my opinion) and I think knowing your percentage of body fat is of more value than just your BMI because the BMI doesn’t take into consideration fitness.
If you want to get to your goal weight (which seems like a good goal to me) start using the livestrong.com calorie counter. It’s an online food journal where you can look up zillions of different foods and their nutritional make up and keep track of what you’re taking in. I don’t suggest doing this forever, but a month of keep vigilant track of what you’re eating and how you’re exercising will give you the tools and knowledge to make good choices all the time. YOu may be eating more or less than what you need and not even realize it.
Keep it up Kara!! You’ll get there and be happier when you are because you did it the healthy way. Starting out doing it the healthy way ensures that you can keep it up forever instead of having a quick fix that didn’t teach you anything. Lastly – it’s all a state of mind. Keep telling yourself you’re beautiful, smart, fun to be around and a great person (cause you are) and your body will catch up with your mind.
Make sure this is about health and not vanity. Trust me – I know from personal experience that if it’s about vanity it won’t last. If it’s about making real healthy lifestyle changes you’ll get it and stick to it.
LOVE YOU!!!!
P.S. One day, I hope I too can come to love and accept my body the way you have (and you should! You look amazing!). Maybe one day I will be brave enough to do my own exposed blog
What an inspiration – was searching the web for some inof on BMI and came across your blog post – all I can say is good work! and keep at it
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