I took this photo of myself ten minutes ago as part of the “We Heart Life – I Heart My Body 2012″ campaign. It’s raw, unedited and I’ve just been to the dentist and had two hours in the chair having a crown prepared and my jaw is a little bit swollen. However, it is a true reflection of me, right here and right now!
The premise of the campaign is to encourage women to appreciate their bodies and discuss the topic of body image. As someone that’s gone through many bodily changes due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations and figure comps, I’ll be straight out honest and say that improving my body image has been (and still is) a work in progress. At the ripe old age of 43, I have moments where I’m not really too thrilled about how my body looks and functions – as I age, I am seeing the beginnings of wrinkles, loose skin, faded stretch marks from pregnancy, pockets of fat here and there and dodgy looking toe nails.
What brings me back to Earth, however, is the amazing stuff my body can actually do and what I’ve achieved in the athletic sense as someone with very average genetic ‘talent’. I’ve run several half marathons, cycled distances over 100km, competed in bodybuilding, swum competitively, done triathlons, participated in outrigger canoeing and even nailed a fitness challenge against the Australian Army.
I have faced numerous injuries over the years and had shoulder surgery a couple of years ago. Currently I’m dealing with a rotator cuff injury and my hyper mobile sacroiliac joints. These challenges have provided me with a renewed sense of gratitude about just how valuable my body is – it’s more than just the pockets of fat on my legs or a hairy bikini line.
When I look at my gorgeous little Lucys, who are growing up into amazing young women, I know the effects of pregnancy on my body were worth it, even if I’m still dealing with the aftermath at the physio nearly 14 years later.
If I had to choose a favourite body part, I would have to say my legs – after years spent teaching RPM and being on my bike, they’ve developed a lot of good looking muscle as well as power and strength. This is followed closely by my face – in random shots like this, I can see a natural curiosity and openness. I feel like mentioning facial expression is a good one, as I see so much beauty in others’ faces irrespective of body shape or size.
Age has helped me appreciate my body more as well – if there is any tip I can share with the young ones around me is to express gratitude for what your body can do. Honour it by feeding it well and participating in conscious movement – then let the cards fall where they may. Allow your body adequate time to recover from exercise and illness and nurture it with massage, gentle stretching, plenty of sleep and even an early morning dip in the sea – mandatory on holidays!
What do you like about your body - are you appreciating it more as you get older or does aging scare the crap out of you? (as it does me sometimes – makes me think I’ve really gotta live in the moment more!)
Feel free to link up with “We Heart Life” to share your story.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing! Aging doesn’t scare me, being 25 I cannot wait til I am a little older. But I completely agree, that I need to live in the moment more which is why I love this campaign, it makes me recall what I love about my body, as it is.
Hi Carly, getting older has its ups and downs
But I love the wisdom that comes with age lol
Hi Liz, I agree with you, I love that I am more sensible and settled and relaxed as I get older. Not that much matters in life and I really don’t sweat the small stuff much any more… well, ok I AM annoyed that we’ve mislaid ALL the twins’ sports shoes, but not too annoyed….
And this sentence is just wonderful : ‘Honour it by feeding it well and participating in conscious movement – then let the cards fall where they may.’ I love my body and want to look after it well.
Personally I misplace all the socks and it is rather frustrating – here’s to chilling out!
Well said Liz! Despite feeling a decrepit old woman some days, I nonetheless am always grateful for having a well and healthy body!
Good for you Carla!
I love that my constitution is generally rock solid and I rarely get sick. Everyone around me may be suffering from colds and flus and I’ll breeze through unscathed. I’m not sensitive to foods and the only thing that “bloats me” is eating too much LOL (pretty simple really). I’ve never been admitted to hospital (just a few minor day surgeries) and I take no prescription drugs whatsoever. Even my dicky lower back, hips and right leg can be self-managed by clean diet, smart training (never too much too soon) and a positive headset.
So when I read all that I can put into perspective that yep I have big, heavy, flabby thighs and cellulite on my butt and the backs of my legs but I guess when God put me together, something had to give LOL.
M
Magda, I’ve never noticed heavy flabby thighs or butt on you so I think God must have also made you have a vision impairment!
Thanks for your inspirational message and your pic! I,m so grateful for what my body can do and must remember not to take it for granted!
Thanks Robs!
What a beautiful post. I would so love for my body to be strong and fit right now (I’ll get back there one day). And isn’t it funny how our acceptance of our bodies grows as we age, despite the wrinkles and sags and muffin tops? Sometimes being self-critical just takes too much energy. Rather spend it on something more fun!
Exactly – we spend way too much time worrying about the stuff that doesn’t matter!
I struggled a bit writing a post for this today… but think I’m slowly getting there!
Deb
So did I and I’m not there yet either!
Honour it by feeding it well and participating in conscious movement – then let the cards fall where they may. <<< That, I love THAT. Just perfect. Thanks for sharing this post.
Thanks for your comment Melissa!
I love this idea, Liz! I think so many women are afraid of being open about what parts of their body they LOVE. It seems we are taught to be negative, which is really sad.
Oh and in response to your comment on my blog (I didn’t want to comment there and mess up the giveaway results!), I do get approached by lots of companies about three times a week. The only problem is they are companies who want me to promote stuff I don’t believe in! I always want to stay true to my beliefs
Fitness isn’t really a big there over here anyway, so it’s difficult to find health-minded companies. I do have something cool coming up though that I can’t wait to share!
Awesome Tara – and completely understand about the giveaway!
For the last two months I’ve been consciously exercising (I already eat a balanced vegan diet), and I can really see a difference in my attitude toward my body. There’s just a little more respect there that wasn’t present before.
You really have achieved a lot with your ‘average’ talent! Nice one!
Thanks Jane – it feels good when we treat ourselves right!
What a great post Liz – and a great concept / theme. Focusing on what our bodies can do (and do do!) is one of the biggest things to make a difference to body image I think. We aren’t meant to be still photographs who look pretty and nothing else – real life is action and movement and successes and failures and all sorts of beauty in all shapes and all forms!
Thanks Kari!
Wow, you’ve put your body through it’s paces! It must be great to feel so strong. I wondered about your SIJ. Did you achieve all these things after your SIJ issues? Not trusting my dodgy pelvis is a big hit to my confidence in my body. How do you manage it?
Hi Laney,
Will send you an email on the SIJ. It’s been a long process but I’m somewhat of an expert now
You know, for so many people, posting a raw, unedited and make-up free face photo is just as intimidating as posting an underwear, swimwear or birthday suit photo. I struggle to post photos a-la naturel of my face. And yet, when I look at yours I see beauty in gorgeous hair, a big, friendly smile, and inquisitive, caring eyes. I love this. And I love your words. The face says so much x
Thank you Kelly – I appreciate your comment!
Strength is the number on priority for bodies. Yours will carry you through even more. x
Thank you Maxabella!
You know what Liz I think you are right with the age thing. I think aging has me loving my body more. You are an amazing woman. Our kids do so much to us when we just see them growing up.
Thank you Salz! You’re pretty special too!
I turn 50 next March and all in all I’m quite happy with how my body’s holding up. Yes, I’ve had some health issues this year where it hasn’t allowed to do what my head wants but when I look at other 50 year olds out there I’m happy that I’ve tried to take care of myself.
I think you’re the most bangin 49 year old out there!
I turned 50 this year and am struggling a bit so it was nice to read your post. I still worry about my body, I train hard (always have), eat really well and get frustrated when it doesn’t do what I want it to. I will try and be a bit easier on myself and relax (just a little) and try and not fight my hormones.
Love reading your posts.
Hey Gennie,
Those hormones suck don’t they – and they’re starting to play havoc with me in my early forties…bummer. Let’s appreciate how hard we can train, I’m forever inspired by us more “mature” athletes!
x
Yes, hormones suck, I have found the best thing to do, even when I wake up with a headache feeling crap, bloated etc etc is just to get up go to gym and just try and power through, you may have to use slightly lighter weights because some days you are just not as strong but just to keep going. I just have to listen to my body and sometimes be a bit kinder and really love the weeks when you feel great.
I really like your sentiment of being grateful for what your body can do. Our bodies are amazing things. Mine has achieved things I thought were impossible. Two years ago I took part in a triathlon. All I wanted to do was finish, and not be last. It was exhausting, tough and took everything I had to get there but I made it. The incredible feeling of satisfaction was better than I expected. Sometimes you just have to try, right?
I’m now 46 and while I do get tired sometimes, I’m not afraid of getting older. I think the changes in my mental approach to my body’s health is a big reason why I look to the future with positivity. Loved this post, Liz.
xx
Sarah, I think you look amazing at 46 and love your approach to it all x
Hi Liz! Well, I think you look great, but what I like best about this post is your comment about your daughters. I think my 3 daughters are amazing people who help me be a better version of myself.
Thank you Marion
Hello Liz,
echoing in my ears – thank you.
“Age has helped me appreciate my body more as well – if there is any tip I can share with the young ones around me is to express gratitude for what your body can do. Honour it by feeding it well and participating in conscious movement – then let the cards fall where they may. Allow your body adequate time to recover from exercise and illness and nurture it with massage, gentle stretching, plenty of sleep and even an early morning dip in the sea – mandatory on holidays!”
best wishes
Loulou
I like getting older. Sure, I might not look as good but I wouldn’t go back to that because these years are what have made me me.
Hi Liz, good on you for being positive towards your body. I’m sure like me we have our many up and down moments but when you think what we have been thru or done it is something special.x
Unfortunately at this stage I don’t feel that I appreciate my body more as I get older: fat accumulates a little more each year and it’s hard work to keep it off!
You look gorgeous in photo and in person! 