Beautifully Broken: Body Image

Hello everyone! I pray this post finds you well no matter where you are in life.

Today, I’m writing about a more somber topic than usual but I think it is one that is very important to address.

This post is all about body image.

A few days ago, I put a question box on my Instagram stories and asked people to submit their best piece of advice regarding body image that they have ever received.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a good bit of responses.

You know that tells me about the topic of body image?

It tells me that it is something that is important to people.

It tells me that it is something that people think about often.

It tells me that it is something that people have sought out specific advice over at some point in their life.

Essentially, body image is hot topic. And it probably always will be.

& I completely understand.

I’ve had my fair share of body image battles.

Between 7 - 10 th grade, there were times when food, exercise, and my body consumed the majority of my thoughts.

Because of my calorie restriction and toxic exercise habits when I was an early teen, I actually lost weight during the time when most people gain it.

It took me a while to recover from my calorie restriction and toxic exercise habits.

Once I started eating and exercising in a way that benefited my holistic health, I naturally gained weight- which was hard.

It still is sometimes.

As an individual who advocates for nutrition on the daily, runs a healthy living Instagram account, is studying nutrition in college, and aspires to be a registered dietitian, it’s so easy to fall into the deep pit of imposter syndrome. AKA- not feeling good enough to be where you are.

At my lowest, I don’t understand why I’m entering a field that triggers me. Sometimes I wish food could be neutral - no good or bad foods & foods that all provide equal nutrition. So that I wouldn’t have to think about it.

But then I wouldn’t have a future career.

& my testimony wouldn’t be what it is today.

Don’t get me wrong, I also have other days that

I love my major.

I love eating my healthy snacks.

I love sharing my tasty recipes with others.

I love working out.

I love helping others live a healthy lifestyle.

Thankfully, in this season of my life, I have felt more in tune with the latter statements.

I know it's what I was created to do.

To the person reading who thinks their value is based on their outward appearance, this is for you.

Take the words you need.

Write them down on a notecard.

Put them in the notes on your phone.

Make them your lock screen.

Write it on your mirror.

Recite it to yourself until you believe it.

I made this post for you. Enjoy.

Here are what some of my followers said regarding body image:

• Rather than focusing on what your body looks like, focus on what it can do.

• Getting into His word is when everything will start to change, physically & mentally.

• Comparison is the thief of joy & social media isn’t authentic- an intimate relationship with God is.

• You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

• Your body won't look the same as it did when you were 15, but this body will grow with you. And you should love that your body is on this journey with you.

• Be proud of the body that has gotten you through the best moments of your life and will carry you through the worst.

• God made your body to do AMAZING things.

• Your body does so much for you. It allows you to live and thrive.

• Workout for you, not anyone else.

• Love yourself before you expect anyone else to love you.

• Someone is looking at you the same way you look at girls who you wished you looked like.

• You need to learn to be happy with who you are inside before you can love the outside.

• God made you the way you are for a reason.

• You are seen perfect in God’s eyes.

• Your body is a home, not a war zone.

• 1 Timothy 4:8- For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

• You’ve been crafted the way you were made to be

• No matter where you are in your body positivity journey, it is still worthy of your love and deliberate care/attention.

To finish here’s some advice I recently gave when asked to write on the topic of body image for friend of mine’s faith account:

praying blessings over everyone who reads this !! 🖤

- bailee ;)