I have a confession to make…I absolutely hate to have my picture taken. So I will avoid it at all costs.
In fact, every time I am tagged in a photo on Facebook, I immediately untag it. I don’t appreciate being put out there without permission.
Okay, that’s not really what it’s all about. It is my inability to accept my body image.
Because of my extreme disliking to having my photo taken, I have bypassed two opportunities in the past several years for my family to receive a free 8×10 portrait, compliments of the church I attend. You see, every few years they put together a new church directory. We get a free directory and a free 8×10.
But free hasn’t won me over. In fact, they could have paid me and I still wouldn’t have done it. The last time we participated in the church directory was when my nearly 13-year-old son was a baby. Yeah, that’s a pretty long time ago.
So a couple of months ago it was announced that in celebration of our church’s 75th anniversary, it was that time again…the church directory.
My initial reaction was a groan. But I knew my husband wasn’t going to let yet another opportunity pass by. Especially since this would likely be our last chance, with our oldest son leaving for the military.
I don’t know what happened to me over the past two months. But my feelings have completely changed.
I guess I am finally coming to this place of acceptance…learning to accept me as I am. Sure, I am still working on my body and trying to become fitter. But I can’t let life pass me by simply because I struggle with a positive self-image.
So this week we had our family picture taken. When I saw the results, I felt pretty good about myself. Not because I have achieved where I want to be. But simply because I could accept myself for as I am.
Fitness isn’t about becoming the “perfect” you, since there is no such thing. It is about being healthier and reaching your ideal weight. But just as important is having a positive self-image…no matter how you look.
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Photo by anitapatterson in morgueFile