Leaning to Love My Body {I Heart My Body 2012}

I can remember disliking my body from a very early age. I have a very strong memory of sitting on the toilet and seeing how my thighs bulged when they were resting on the seat. It wasn't something that was drummed in to me as a child, it was just me not liking what I saw. Throughout my childhood and my teenage years I often stressed out about how I looked. I would compare myself to models and wonder why I was given sticky out ears, thicker calves, and freckles. However over the years I have grow to love my body and when I hear about the I Heart My Body 2012 Campaign I thought I would share with you my journey (and my photo).

As the years have passed I have found myself growing to really love my body, despite its imperfections. I have chosen the photo below because I am wearing a bikini that makes me feel great. I don't actually wear it out in public very often (so I still can't believe I am putting it on the internet) but when I do get to wear it, it really makes me love my body.

The I heart my body campaign asks that we name three things that we love about our bodies. So here goes!

I am loving that I have something to fill my bikini top. When I went through puberty I thought each year "I should grow breasts by the end of this year" but it never really happened. However pregnancy and breastfeeding made all the body dreams come true. I know they will soon disappear but it is nice to have them for now. 

The second thing I love is my tummy. Recently, one of my girls was pointing to my tummy and saying "Mummy's fat tummy". She didn't really know what she was saying, but I corrected her saying, "It's Mummy's beautiful tummy. It is beautiful because it held you and, Claire and Alicia". I really do feel this way about my stomach. Of course I would love to have a little less of it, but it is the way it is, because I have had three beautiful babies. I wouldn't change that for the world.

I also love my legs, not because of the way they look but because they have learned to run. They once ran the whole City2Surf in Sydney. Running makes me feel strong and like I can do anything. It also lifts my mood and makes me love my body even more.

What has made me grow to love my body? Firstly it is a result of my faith in God. He has made me this way for a reason. I believe that God took the time to place me together this way and He was happy with the result so why would I want to change it. It is also the love of a wonderful husband who sees me at my worst but still somehow finds me attractive. Finally, my best trick for loving my body is positive self talk. I will often tell myself, "you look great after having three kids" or "No one notices your imperfections as much as you do" and lots of other positive comments. Of course, I still stand in front of the mirror and dislike what I see at times, that's normal but there are lots of times where I can honestly say "I Heart My Body".

What are three things you love about your body? Are you brave enough to share your photos in the I Heart My Body Campaign?  Visit their page for details.