Those who know me know that I ADORE reading. I especially LOVE reading books from people that I have met personally who share the same views and dreams that I do. Who doesn’t like to connect with like-minded people right? BabyFat was a no brainer because I have met Pauline personally and besides having the same last name, we connected instantly! Without even reading the book, upon meeting her she reminded me that I was human and I wasn’t perfect. I knew her story was my story, and through her website Girl Body Pride I knew her message was right up my alley. Her mission reminds me about self-acceptance and what I went through in my teenage years.
In all fairness because of my busy schedule I have NOT completed the book yet but I will be co-hosting this week’s Twitter Party so please RSVP here and join in on the discussion this Wednesday, October 14th at 9PM EST by using the hashtag #BabyFat. We need more like-minded people to join this discussion and really speak up on how we feel and how to ACCEPT and LOVE ourselves.
Although I don’t speak about it much, I wasn’t always that confident. I went through a time when I didn’t like looking in the mirror especially before the age of 18. My body was changing, the curves were coming in and I quickly went from no training bra to an actual bra size. Having a sister that was slim with beautiful, perky, small breasts and a flat washboard stomach intimidated me for a while. I was often told by one of my parents (don’t want to throw that particular one under the bus) that I should watch what I ate, that I was “chubby”, and basically it made me feel unpretty! I was the lighter skinned one, with the extremely curly hair and now I had “chubby” as a part of my description too…NO BUENO! My self-acceptance was out the door but luckily it didn’t last that long!
As a teenager, many of the boys in high school commented on my large gluteus maximus. That made me feel even more awkward because I don’t remember seeing my body type around that much. When I found girls who looked like me, with similar body features, I felt like I was more drawn to them and many felt the same way I did….insecure and “different”.
It wasn’t until I met my first true love (my now husband) who made me feel absolutely beautiful, that I really believed I was. I think I always felt beautiful inside but the fact that I felt my body was different than others was the trigger, that’s what made me question my outer beauty. He reminded me how beautiful I looked in whatever I wore and always reminded me of how sweet, kind, caring, giving, and humble I was. He still does remind me of these things. It was as though he came into my life at just the right moment, that transitional period so that “inner demon” wouldn’t continue. My husband helped me to see that there was more than my appearance to appreciate.
Thankfully, when I reached the point of having children, I had become even more comfortable with my relationship the number on the scale so my pregnancy weight gain (20 pounds for each pregnancy) didn’t matter. I felt even more beautiful than ever. With this memoir BabyFat, I can totally relate because I truly believe we all go through that self-sabotage. Some of us come out of that funk and some of us don’t. I am thankful for my hubby and that he loves me unconditionally with the extra curves and my muffin top since day 1. He looked passed my appearance and appreciated what I had to offer intellectually and with my heart. I don’t know where that self-sabotage would have left me had it not been for meeting him at the perfect time. I LOVE the person I became when I met him regardless of my weight and how I’ve grown since. I am even more confident than ever and I truly LOVE and ACCEPT myself because I know I have way more to offer than just the number on the scale at this point! Thanks to Pauline for keeping it real in this memoir and for any of you who are going through rough times at this point…read her book! Cut it out…. you are so much more than your outside appearance! I know it! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you., Eileen, For EVERYTHING.
Great post Eileen – self acceptance is such a hard thing, and self-sabotage so real for many women … thanks for always keeping it real and true Pauline – we ARE HUMAN and worthy, all of us <3
It’s wonderful to see Pauline getting so much support! I hope to meet her in person one day! And thank you for sharing your story about body image!