Shauna, you don’t measure up!

I have horrible eye site, my prescription is -4.50 and -4.00.  I can’t see an alarm clock or see a face without my glasses! I am near-sighted and far-sited and have an astigmatism in both eyes.

Last night, I got out of the shower, no contacts in, no glasses on. I am standing before the mirror and I see sculpted shoulders, a tiny waist, the thigh gap, perfect hour glass figure. Okay for all you haters out there, take a deep breath, I started out by telling you how poor my eye site is, and that I had no glasses or contacts in! But in my blurry vision that’s what I saw. I put my glasses on, walk out of the bathroom naked, look down and all I can see is fat rolls, a stomach sticking out and thunder thighs! I mean it’s like the movie Shallow Hal!

These are just a few things I have had guys tell me over the years:

1. My legs are huge.
2. My nose is big.
3. My eyes are sunk back in my head so therefore I must never wear contacts, glasses hide that.
4. I look awful with straight hair, which might come to a shock to many people, is actually natural for me.
5. I’m stupid and must never open my mouth.

Those are just a sampling of the things I have been told.

Do you know the guy who called me stupid couldn’t pass the real estate exam…I passed the first try!

The guy who called me fat is overweight!

The guy who didn’t like me bigger than a size 4 with straight hair, his wife isn’t a 4 and wears her hair straight.

I don’t think I need to go on, you get the point.

Why is it that our self worth and self image is based upon other people’s opinions of us? Why do we let those voices in our head? What other people think of us is just their opinion, and most of the time, I believe it’s actually their feelings about themselves down deep! It actually has nothing to do with us at all! That person who picks on you, is actually very insecure down deep!

I know I am not stupid! I know all of those things that were said about me aren’t true, but for years they have been the voices in my head! For years they have been the way I see myself! For years they have driven me to feel like I have something I have to prove! For years I have felt like I didn’t measure up! For years I have tried every yo-yo diet and exercise plan known to man! I am exhausted just talking about it!

We need to get to a place where we love ourselves so much that hearing those things has no effect on us, and we realize it’s laughable, and not care what the haters say! We are perfectly made! If you’re not as healthy as you would like then change that, but do it because YOU love yourself enough to want to be around longer! Not because someone else thinks you’re fat or ugly! You won’t have the results or the satisfaction or stick with a healthy lifestyle if you’re only doing it for other people! Trust me! Been there!! I have been known to work out crazy amounts in the gym, then sneak an entire box of donuts in the car! Stop letting celebrities and models dictate your views too! First of all those images are often photoshopped and secondly those people get paid to look like that! They are paid to have trainers and chefs. We could all look like that if we’re getting paid and had all day to work out! Plus, they’re always under a microscope! That would get old!

We don’t have to be the prettiest person in the room to be amazing! We don’t have to be the smartest person in the room to make a difference and change people’s lives! We all have gifts! We all have a life to live that is lived with a purpose! Let’s stop feeling like we don’t measure up, and get out there and be all we’re called to be! Let’s start lifting each other up instead of sizing each other up! You have something I need! I have something you need and this world needs us all! On a side note, stop chasing your self worth with other people too, and getting into relationships that are unhealthy because we’re so insecure and crave attention. We all matter! Realize yourself how great you are, and then the right relationship where you both lift each other up, will come along!

I am going to the beach in a few weeks and I am going to rock a bathing suit, thunder thighs, surgery scars and all! I feel healthy right now, although I haven’t had much time in the gym lately, I am eating healthy and I feel good! Let’s get out there and rock it!! Have I challenged you?! I hope I have! Can you start exchanging the negative voices in your head with positive ones? I dare you to start trying and see how your life and those around you start changing! LOVE yourself!!! It has to start with loving ourselves!

With love for you all,
Shauna