They say a picture is worth a thousand words…

This rang true for me back in June. I had my husband take pictures at my sister’s bridal shower that I hosted at our home. After the bridal shower we sat down to look at the pictures and they literally told a story. I felt like anyone that would look at these pictures would definitely feel like they were there with us. The pictures captured all of the emotions that we experienced and all of the creativity that was put into the shower. As we scrolled through pictures smiling, laughing, and tearing up again I came across THE PICTURES. These pictures wiped the smile off of my face and sent me flying back down off of my natural high crashing right into reality. I look at myself in the mirror every single day, but for some reason what I saw in that picture isn’t what I thought I’ve been seeing in the mirror. Not to say that I didn’t think that I needed to get in shape because I really did, but I was still in shock. There is a beautiful picture of the bridal party in our yard and all I could focus on was my midsection. Then I started to beat myself up with questions like “Why did I pick that shirt?”, “Why didn’t I see this when I looked in the mirror?” “Why didn’t I suck my stomach in more?” “Why didn’t I stand at an angle?” “Why do I look so puffy?”. The truth of the matter is that picture revealed exactly who I am at this point in my life. I am overweight. I am unhappy with my appearance. I am not healthy or fit. My weight has gotten out of control and I need to do better. I KNOW better. However, knowing better and doing better are two totally different things! I saw the writing on the wall 2 years ago right after my wedding and I wasn’t consistent which has led to me being 40 pounds heavier today. I refuse to have a pity party about my situation because I did it to myself, but what I will do is have a celebration when I turn things around. The great thing about tomorrow is it’s a new day, a new beginning, and a chance for you to be better. Your do-over doesn’t have to be January 1^st, the 1^st of the month, or even a Monday. You can start whenever you’re ready. Right now I’m ready to attack this head on. My first goal is to take a picture that tells a different story than the one that I took at the bridal shower. I want my picture to show a confident woman that isn’t perfect, but is striving daily to be her very best. I want it to show a woman that wants to be healthy and fit for herself as well as her family.  If a picture is worth a thousand words I want all of my words to be positive.