Over the last year I feel like I have been on a rollercoaster with loving my body. I’ve learned to love my body, I’ve fallen out of love with my body and it’s all been a learning curve. My body has changed going through the pandemic, which is natural, and I definitely feel like I am not alone in feeling like this.
We do not need to lose weight to be able to go out as lockdown unlocks. We do not need to go on diets, to live on small amounts of food, because let’s be honest, we are incredible just the way we are. The pandemic has taken so much from us, we need to find a new normal.
I’ve had days where I have genuinely felt beyond uncomfortable with the way that I look, and there have been comments on social media about my weight and the way that I look. Saying if you drink shakes or drink this tea you will lose all of this weight. If you chose to lose weight, do it healthily, but crash dieting isn’t the answer. What would I say to my body?
To my body,
You may have changed, and you may look different to last year, but you are one of a kind.
There may be a few extra lumps, bumps and marks, but you are still incredible.
You may move differently and you may have a few more tiger stripes on you than before, but you have been strong enough to get me through the last year.
Your worth isn’t defined from numbers on clothes or the number on the scale. You are more than any number. Your worth is infinite.
I am sorry if I haven’t treated you with the same love that I should have done. I am sorry if I have treated you negatively over the last year because you’ve changed.
Lockdown has presented so many hurdles, pressures and it has been an emotional rollercoaster. I haven’t taken care of myself the way I should have, and I haven’t treated myself with care, for that I’m sorry.
Gaining weight doesn’t mean you are a failure, we’ve been through unprecedented times. These times have impacted us mentally, physically and emotionally. The last year has been life changing.
I may have reached for the chocolate, I may have not worked out as much as I could have, but I’m human.
You have kept me strong through the pandemic, you have reminded me that it will be okay.
I may feel disconnected from you right now, but it won’t last forever.
My pledge to you
In future, I am determined to:
- treats you like a friend
- be kind
- appreciate everything you do for me
- stop comparing you to others
- know that there will be days where I don’t love you as much as I should, but better days are coming
- remind yourself you are ready for whatever the rest of the year has to offer you.
What would you say to your body if you could?
Also Body Posi Panda recently posted a lockdown ready Instagram post, you should definitely check her out!
Read my previous post – glowing skincare routine for combination skin.
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Oh wow, this post really resonated with me. I’ve had a lot of negative feelings lately about my body, so this definitely struck a chord. I guess I’d say to mine sorry for not looking after you better and promise to try and do more so moving forward. I loved this – really powerful post, thank you!
I feel like this blog post will really hit home for many people at this stage almost a year into lockdown!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
You’re definitely not alone when it comes to body confidence during covid. I felt the same, not being able to work out as much as before really takes a toll, but it is what it is. The key is just to maintain as much as you can, and stay within your own lane. Don’t worry about what others are doing :). Thank you for sharing this heartfelt letter 🙂
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
This letter to your body resonated with me so much Amie, this is beautifully written and I love your honesty lovely x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I would say exactly as you’ve said. That I am human. I want to love every part of being human and not live up to unrealistic standards perpetuated by social media. I just want to take better care of my body and set boundaries. I can make my own goals not ones set by others. Because that just leads me down an emotional rollercoaster. Beautiful post. I just knew I had to leave a comment. xxx
Wow this post hit home. I’m so awful to my body and during lockdown, I neglected it. I’m now fully back on the health kick, exercising because I want to and enjoying being active. I wore two outfits over the bank holiday weekend and actually felt nice in them. I received compliments.
Lockdown was tough on our minds and lives – I never stopped to think about its effect on my body!
Rosie
Great post! Gaining weight certainly isn’t something to get preoccupied with during a pandemic- and our bodies are focused on keeping us healthy and alive right now. Thank you for sharing, this is so important for those questioning their body image after lockdown x
This resonated so much! I love when you say I will treat you as a friend and your worth is infinite! I totally relate to it from lockdown and even before, a number seemed to always be more important than a healthy body, it will be a long journey but to manage to love our body is the best to look forward to! Thanks for sharing x
Lockdown has taught us more than I care to admit, forgiveness of oneself, first and foremost. Great post!
I love this so much!! It’s important for us to show love and acceptance for our body, especially this past year when life has been so uncertain xx
Really powerful and necessary post
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Beautifully written! I’m sure so many people feel the same way, you’re not alone in this <3
I feel like this post has really hit home for me because that’s exactly the mentality I should have for my body! Thank you so much!
Oh Amie, it’s like you reached into my head with this post. It says EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Rather than fat-shaming myself, I should be celebrating that my body has seen me through all the challenges of the last year and I’m healthy. Thank you so much for writing this. And for the record, you look beautiful xx
Beautiful post, Amie <3 I think we've all been on a bit of a journey with our bodies during lockdown. I certainly have! We need to be kind to them – they got us through a pandemic!
I love this post!! My body has definitely changed a lot over the past year as I’ve been walking around less and eating more comfort food. We need to remember that this is the most unusual of times and that we should be kind to ourselves and our bodies!! 🙂 xx
Honestly, you aren’t alone in the body confidence since COVID, I think everyone’s struggled in one way or another! I’ve found it really hard at times to love my body but I’m trying each day to love it a little more. This was so beautifully written and I resonate with you. Thank you for sharing this! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Lovely post and letter. This is another good way to practice self love. Thank you for sharing.
Wow. This definitely got me thinking about everything that I put my body through during the pandemic.
I could resonate with everything you wrote. Well articulated.🌻
Thank you for sharing your letter, we all need to be kind to ourselfs and comparing to others 🙂
Luckily for me exercising has been a really good release of stress and those overall winter/pandemic blues, so it’s not necessarily that I’ve gained a lot of weight. I’ve been going through a lot of personal issues, and therefore was really eating a lot of comfort food lately (think all of the sweets, takeout, and salty snacks). I have gained a bit of weight in the past two months, and it honestly made me feel so terrible. I know I have to be forgiving, because I know I’m going through it, but sometimes it just feels like something to add onto the reason I don’t feel great about myself. I’ve gone back to trying to eat healthy, and have cut off all of the takeout (still snacking when needed), but even though I haven’t lost much weight at all, my body feels great, cause I’m now fueling it with healthier food. I’m still learning to accept the weight it’s at, and it’s been quite a journey, but I’m oddly more accepting of my body now, than pre-pandemic. Great post xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com