Affirmation

I am a woman. I am not a pre-pubescent girl or teenager. My body has curves. I have hips, a bust and a soft belly. My legs have shape; they are not meant to be sticks.

Healthy is more important than being a walking clothes hanger. I eat well (and am improving my diet constantly), and I live an active lifestyle. I am modeling true health for my children. I wear a size 12, and that is okay right now. Yes, I have a bit more fat hanging around at the moment, but I know that as the weather warms up and I get outside and moving even more, that will change. I needn't obsess over it. Living a healthy lifestyle is more important than a few extra pounds.

Just because American society has decided to idealize the body shape of pre-pubescent children doesn't not mean I am not beautiful. Women do not need to have flat stomachs, toothpick arms or bean pole legs to be sexy or attractive. All shapes are beautiful. If someone is truly healthy - eating well and living actively - then it shouldn't matter if they are a size 3, size 8 or size 14. Every woman deserves to find her own healthiest body shape and size and feel gorgeous at that size.