12/17/2024
â¨ď¸Transformation Tuesday- Body Dysmorphiaâ¨ď¸
This is a tough topic for me, but hereâs to being vulnerable. Here is an up to date, raw, no filter, no makeup, healthy photo of me.
Throughout my life, Iâve struggled with body dysmorphia. While I still have days when it lingers, Iâve come a long way in my journey. I think itâs crucial for more people to be open about thisâwhether itâs something youâve personally faced or know someone who has.
For me, body image issues began in 8th grade. Over the years, Iâve experienced many phases of this distorted self-perception, which consumed me for a very long time. At my lowest point, I weighed just 80 pounds with only 5% body fat. (This phase was difficult. therefore, I wonât be sharing photos.)
After I had my son, I struggled to lose weight, which caused me to spiral. I didnât like the body I saw in the mirror. I hated the number on the scale. My journey with body dysmorphia has been marked by fluctuations in weight, whether that be "overweight" or "underweight,". I still face moments of weakness when that inner critic creeps in. It whispers lies, trying to convince me my body isnât beautiful or that my worth is tied to a specific number on a scale.
One of the most helpful things Iâve learned through this struggle is to avoid the scale altogether. Instead, I focus on nourishing my body and silencing the guilt if I enjoy a burger, ice cream, or treat myself every now and then. Iâve had toâand continue toâreprogram my mind to understand what âbeautifulâ really means.
Beauty is about loving yourself enough to appreciate your body in whatever phase of life itâs in. Itâs understanding that who I am on the inside matters far more than my exterior.
By sharing my journey, I hope to encourage someone else who might be struggling. You are beautiful inside and out. You are worthy of love. Donât let the worldâs standards trick you into believing otherwise. Our culture has sold us an illusion of beauty, with filters and impossible standards. None of it is real.
I love you just as you areâand I hope youâll learn to love yourself, too. đđŤś
