This is me

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We have this little rhyme that we learn on the first day of preschool.

This is me from head to toe. I have two eyes and a little nose. I can wiggle my ears and stamp my feet.

From head to toe, I’m really neat.

This is me! That can be the simplest or most profound statement you can make about yourself. Simple as “this is me, take it or leave it”. Profound as “this is me, and these are the things that make me myself”.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the Exposed post we did back in October of 2010. I know a lot of you weren’t here for that. Many of us at the Sisterhood joined the Exposed Movement. The premise of the movement was to post pictures of yourself wearing less than you would normally wear and tell why you loved your body and all the wonderful things it could do.

I laughed when I first heard about it. I was on Twitter and everyone was talking about if they were going to take their pictures wearing underwear or bathing suits. No way was I doing that. I would rather die. Then, our dear sweet Melissa made it a challenge at the Sisterhood to join the Expose Movement.

Now, I had one heck of a dilemna. I had never backed away from a Sisterhood challenge. Was I going to let my fear of letting people see what I really looked like change that? It took me a day to decide that I was not going to back away. I put on my big girl panties and took the pictures alone in my bathroom. (This time, I had my daughter take them.) I wrote the post and hit publish as fast as I could as not to hit delete instead. Here’s the link to my original post.

Today, I am challenging you all to join the “This Is Me Movement” with us at the Sisterhood. I know it’s scary. I was terrified the first time. I know it’s hard, but isn’t hard what is going to make us stronger? Just to show you all that it’s not as awful as you might think, I’ll get the ball rolling by doing the first one myself.

THIS IS ME!

I am Nancy. I am 58 years old. I have put this body through the wringer. You don’t get to be this size by doing everything the right way. But, I am learning a new lifestyle and I am seeing great changes in my mind and body.

It has taken me a long time to really embrace who I am. What I look like no longer defines who I am to me. I let that define me for too long and I think that is why I got to be a size 14. I kept thinking that if I was just smaller everything would be right with my world. I was so wrong. You have to get things straight in your head before you can ever get them straight with your body.

I don’t want to repeat myself from the first post, if you went over and read that. Everything I said in that first post is still true. Maybe even more true than when I first said them. I am a different person than I was two years ago. I have learned so much since then. Maybe I should go with what I’ve learned about myself as opposed to what I love about myself. Point of fact, they are probably the same thing.

1. If I don’t love myself, how could I expect anyone else to love me? I am a well loved person, but I think I am more loved now because of the person I am becoming.

2. I am in charge of who I am. Outside factors and other people do not have that power over me.

3. I can expect to get as much back as I put out. If I hang back in a workout, I’m not going to see results.

4. Less in and more out. I have to consume less calories than I expend.

5. There are certain friends that you can always count on to help you and encourage you. Christy, Courtney and Nicki, you make all the difference for me.

6. One day of slipping up does not wipe out all the good I have done before it. Beating myself up over it doesn’t accomplish anything. I just have to say okay and get back on the horse.

7. I do my best work in a group exercise setting. I need the push and the drive of the group to propel me now. Maybe later, I will be better at doing it alone.

8. I have faith. I know that I can do this now. The scale is moving. The measurements are coming down. I am seeing results.

9. I trust myself. I don’t second guess myself like I used to.

10. I love myself. I really truly do. All the lumps and bumps are there for a reason. I am a worthwhile person who is doing her best to get from point A to point B. For the first time in a long time, I know I am going to make it. I don’t just think it like before. I know it!

THIS IS ME!!!! I am proud and happy with who I am now.

Now, it’s your turn. Take your pictures and write your posts. I know you can do it. There is a lot to love about yourself, I promise. Leave your links in the comments. I can’t wait to read them all.

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I’m a 60 year old wife, mom and grammy. I am the ‘Older Sister’ around here! I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 41 years and we have four daughters and four grandchildren. I’ve been chosen to be the mature voice of the Sisterhood and I couldn’t be more excited. My passions are my family, photography, Notre Dame football, Chicago Cubs baseball and my new found enthusiasm for fitness and weight loss. In a moment of crazy, I signed up to walk the 2013 Indianapolis Mini Marathon and believe it or not, I survived!