This is for the girls...

I have a secret for y'all.

It took me a long while to be happy with who I am and with my body. 

I wished I was taller. I wished I had bigger boobs. I wished my thighs didn't rub together. I wished my arms didn't jiggle when I waved. I could've given you a million things about myself that I didn't like. 

I didn't grow up thinking those things. I didn't always feel that way. 

Somehow, along the way, I started thinking I should look different. I should act different. That who I was...wasn't good enough. 

The thing about it is...we are cruel to one another. We being girls. We think that being different is a bad thing. That it's wrong to look different or to act different or to just be different. So we make fun of one another. We talk poorly about one another. We make snide comments behind each other's backs. 

And we compare ourselves to these beautiful, perfect models in magazines, on social media, on TV. I mean...life would be so much better if we looked like Jennifer Aniston (I mean, she's gorgeous...DUH!!).

And let's not talk about the guys. Because they certainly aren't the kindest to us. And we take what they say to heart. That cute boy in home room? Oh man...if he doesn't like me, then something surely must be wrong with me. And these thoughts don't stop in middle or high school. I don't know about y'all, but those thoughts followed me well into my 20s. Dare I even say into my 30s.  

So we grow up and want to change who we are. Liposuction. Breast implants. Tummy tucks. Nose jobs. Butt implants, for pete's sake. Seriously...how do they even do those?! 

Instead of embracing who we are, we want to change into who we think others want us to be. And yep...I was guilty of this. For entirely too long. 

It's sadly only been a few short years since I've fully accepted and embraced who I am, what I look like, and what my body can do for me. Going on my own health journey helped. Having knee surgery helped push me in that direction. Starting Crossfit helped. Oh...and not giving a flying crap what others think about me helped too. 

I started loving myself more. I surrounded myself with people who loved me. Who built me up and supported me. And I started loving and building up other women in my life. Because we need more of that. All women need to know they are enough...they are beautiful...and they are strong! 

So here's my love for all of you beautiful women. You are enough. You are more than enough. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are capable. And if someone doesn't like you, then let them go. They aren't your cup of tea and you WILL be okay without them. 

Wait for the people who lift you up. Who build you up. Who fight for your success as hard as they fight for their own. Who will do anything for you. Those are your people. 

My advice for this week? Love yourself more. And spread that love to others in your life. Be happy with who you are, because who you are is perfectly imperfect! And embrace your differences. Because different is beautiful! 

I love y'all. And thank you for your continued love and support! 

Have an amazing week! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney