I'm a Size..."Do I really care?"...

Have you seen the new Jenny Craig ad campaign? Queen Latifah strolls out and says, "I'm a size Energetic! What's your ideal size?" and she proceeds to try to convince us to stop looking at numbers when it comes to our weight. I understand what she is trying to do, she is trying to make us all feel better about ourselves. So many of us struggle on a daily basis with our weight and self-image.

I know I have a real love/hate relationship with food myself. I struggle day to day. I am NOT the size I want to be.... I used to be, 5 years ago I looked great! I worked hard, I was disciplined, I lost the weight and the acknowledgement of my hard work was so wonderful. Though I never left the gym for over 3 years, I began to allow myself more slack on the eating part of my life and the weight slowly crept back on. That along with life stresses and then an entire year of Plantar's Fascitis, followed by a bone fracture in my foot (which is my current struggle, it has yet to heal!) made for a rather chunkier-version of my former self!

I no longer have much of a wardrobe left, I think that is the most annoying part of this. I refuse to buy a whole new wardrobe in a bigger size! I keep thinking that if I don't have anything to wear, maybe i'll be more motivated to get the weight off but like I said, I have injury issues to contend with, so I should cut myself some slack, huh?

Well, seeing as I am a believer that when you are married, you and your spouse have an obligation to stay attractive to one another, I have a hard time cutting myself any slack. I also want to look good for me. When you start getting towards the big 4-0, you need the reassurance that you are still attractive to the opposite sex, at least I do! It's a nice feeling to "turn the head" of others on the street. Who doesn't enjoy a little boost to your self-esteem! Especially when you have had children. Although motherhood adds to your identity, it also takes a lot away and I think many of us lose ourselves for too many years. I don't think we have to let ourselves get frumpy-looking just because we are moms! Put on a little eye makeup, dab on some lip gloss, feel like the beautiful woman you are!

So, that is my "rant" for today...and one more thing...be sure to participate in regular "Girls-Night-Out" evenings with friends...that is the best therapy ever!!! I have a dear friend whose hubby gets to go out EVERY Saturday night to hang out with friends...and they have 2 young kids... but she doesn't allow herself the same luxury. Why?! She works just as hard (in my opinion, WAY harder than he does!LOL) So, I make sure she is always my number 1 invitee to my Girls Night Out dates! She deserves it! Reserve time for yourselves, ladies! Life is too short!

Love & hugs,
Eliana