Love Lies Within

Admit it, we all struggle with it. Body image. Its something that is drilled into our heads when we are young, there is always something about yourself that you hate. Self acceptance and self love is a struggle everyday. It can be difficult to come to a realization that you are beautiful in such a shallow world. Creating a balanced and happy lifestyle will create a happier, healthier you. 

Stop comparing yourself, you are your own person and are the one person you will spend the most time with throughout your life, so love you, unconditionally. It sounds easy enough to say, but isn't so easy to accomplish. Even the most 'perfect' looking woman through your eyes struggle with the same battles you do. And more than half of the women in your life have struggled with an eating disorder in their lifetime. 

I was one of these women. Food became my enemy, but I couldn't allow those closest to me know what I was doing to my body. So when I did have to eat it didn't stay down for long. A lot of people looking from the outside in don't see you, the way you see yourself. The mirror becomes a war zone, and in your head you will never be good enough. I was weak, thin and miserable. I had attained what I had set out to do, but why wasn't I happy? With the help of some great friends I came to the realization that Love Lies Within and living a healthy lifestyle would lead me on a happier path. It took a lot to get there, for me it was a photoshoot I did with my best friend who is studying Photography. She used my body for a figure study. Something I never thought anyone would ask me to do. The photos won many Photography awards and gained compliments from big name photographers. For me, it was finally being able to see myself through the eyes of everyone around me. And it opened my eyes to the true beauty that I held. 

The process of overcoming an eating disorder isn't easy, but in the end it is worth it. What a lot of people don't understand is that once you begin accepting food into your life again, your body holds onto it, not knowing when it may be getting another meal. This creates rapid weight gain, something many people who struggle with eating disorders have been fighting against. However I learned that changing my lifestyle to one that was balanced and healthy, helped me overcome this obstacle.

Every woman is unique, and every body is unique. Treasure what you have been given and treat your body like a temple. Weight is just a number, as long as you are comfortable in your own skin, then you are able to be the truly beautiful person you are.

Need a little push in the right direction, here's part of the workout that kicks my butt and keeps me happy and healthy. Along with eating healthy and living each moment with no regrets.

Warm up
40 jumping jacks
10 push-ups
20 squats
20 crunches
this burns 100 calories and is a great starter

quick work out to keep you in shape
50 jumping jacks
12 push-ups
20 sit-ups
20 bicycles
20 mountain climbers
30 second planks
20 squats

do this in 3 cycles and you're on your way!

words of wisdom told to me by my very close friend, it puts things into perspective


For the World is nothing without eyes, to examine the beauty of bones
                                                                                                         - Stewie James