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Thankful Thursday: Body Image

Last week I went to Fox Box in the V&A Waterfront for a manicure and pedicure. I had my camera with me (as I do most of the time now, since I’ve started vlogging) and I got chatting with the ladies, who are just full of character and always make me laugh.

We got into a real conversation about body image and loving your body. I was pleasantly surprised when Soso said she loves her body. It just got me thinking about body shaming that seems to be quite present online lately, and while I thought Vlog 5 would just be a show-you-around-my-day vlog… it turned into something a little more intimate.

 

I’ve gone through quite the journey with my body and it’s made me thankful for the body I have. I’m thankful that I’m actually in a good place and even though it’s not exactly where I would like it to be, I am appreciating where it is right now. I am loving the skin I am, focusing on being healthy, appreciative and enjoying everything – the flaws and all.

I never used to be like this… I am incredibly hard on myself and would really beat myself up over it, mentally and emotionally.

I was one for always moving goal posts. What I mean by this is, I would set a goal, achieve it and then instead of celebrating that, I’d just move the goal post and beat myself up over the new hurdle I had set myself.

I’ve stopped doing that and now I celebrate every little achievement. Every single one.

Every single gold star I place on my calendar (you can read more about this here.) Every time I say no to birthday cake in the office and don’t feed my sugar addiction, every time I replace a negative thought with a positive one.

In fact, over the weekend I needed to get myself new jeans. I tried on my usual size and they were loose. I tried on a jeans size 28 and they are snug and comfortable. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think I’ve ever been this size in my life. It was a very proud moment because I’ve made sacrifices and it has not been easy work. The feeling I had in the change room is something I wish I could bottle and sell. I felt so motivated and proud of myself and I sat reflecting over the few years of where I’ve come from, how hard it’s been, how I’ve failed and tried again (a few times over) and how I’ve overcome many of my own mental and physical hurdles.

I must be honest, I initially felt hesitant to share the above paragraph, and vulnerable to share this entire post, because I immediately thought: Oh gosh, what could people say? Will they think I’m being boastful? Then I realised that I don’t care for those types of people anyway, and definitely won’t be hindering my excitement or snuffing out a proud moment because of them.

I’d really appreciate you watching the Vlog (and subscribing) because I have 5 ways to help you love your body and I’d love to start a kind conversation. How do you feel about your body?

 

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13 Comments

  • Reply Kate Ferguson

    I’ve always seen my body as a work in progress which I guess in turn means I’m not happy with it. I always feel like I could be slimmer and more toned. But I’m working on my mindset as well so there is hope for me yet! I have already changed my mindset about needing to cut back on treats and why I exercise. I only have one body and if I don’t take care of my health (minimizing the rubbish, get my body moving and slimming down for health reasons) I’m going to shorten my life span and that is an awful thought!

    So I am thinking less about being skinny like the magazines say we should be, and focusing more on my health (whatever weight that might be). What are my blood tests saying? How do my joints feel? (I have dodgy knees from my ballet dancing years) How do I feel? How is my skin doing? How are my eyes doing? etc.

    July 21, 2016 at 7:36 am
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      I love that!! It’s more about feeling and looking healthy than being “skinny” and being a number on a scale! I agree 100%b

      July 21, 2016 at 12:56 pm
  • Reply Joanie

    This is a very hard post to read as it is something I battle with on a daily basis, being an overweight person I have to admit with tears in my eyes that weight became a label that was hung around my neck, lets all be honest, people can be both harsh and cruel and someday’s I still feel like the fat girl being mocked in high school, but reading this, knowing there is real woman overcoming this battle makes it a bit easier to fight.
    Thank you for being open and honest Bails. It really is appreciated.

    xxx

    July 21, 2016 at 8:13 am
  • Reply Megan Hartwig

    This is great, and I agree its so hard to just be happy with what you have. I do try, but it is soooo hard. Your words inspire me and it helps me to realize there are a lot of women who struggle with this too. Our bodies are amazing creations and should be celebrated! xx

    July 21, 2016 at 9:53 am
  • Reply The Spruce Girls

    This is such a great post! Love how real it is, and it is something that, as a woman, is pretty high up on the radar! It’s all a process, and it’s great to see positives regarding body image. We definitely have a long way to go but love understanding how other woman feel 🙂

    July 21, 2016 at 1:31 pm
  • Reply Nicole

    I loved watching your vlog!!! Those girls are amazing and I had such a giggle!

    Thanks for this post Bailey!

    July 21, 2016 at 3:57 pm
  • Reply Paulina

    Absolutely loved this Vlog and it is so pertinent to all women out there so thank you for your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable in order to be encouraging to others who feel exactly the same way. We are so bombarded with social media, magazines, advertisements etc. constantly showing us “the perfect look, perfect image” which is really so hard to compete with considering there is an entire TEAM of stylists, make-up artists, NYFW hairstylists 😉 etc creating that image. We compare ourselves to this which is not real. We forget about our authentic selves and we are all beautiful in our own rights. We should stop focusing on all these “fake” things around us, and start living our own authentic life filled with gratitude and a celebration of the things we take for granted such as eyes that see, legs that walk, healthy perfect bodies that move and allow us to do our daily activities. I Love your blog and Vlog please continue to do such amazing work, and well done on your fantastic achievements, you should be very proud! xxx

    July 22, 2016 at 12:37 pm
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      Thank you Paulina! What an amazing comment – I really appreciate it! You are spot on about EVERYTHING and thank you for your kind words! x

      July 22, 2016 at 12:45 pm
  • Reply Jadie Jones

    Love this vlog it gave me so many things to think about and made me realise I don’t appreciate all the good things about my body and where I am now. Thank you for sharing!

    July 23, 2016 at 4:25 am
  • Reply Caley

    Body image is a tough one for most women – and definitely my weakest point. Since having children, my body has changed in so many ways and most of them which I do not like but I have two little miracles in exchange for this – and that cannot compare! The funny thing is that when I was at my best (pre-babies), I also wasn’t happy… I need to learn the art of self-love and being content and comfortable in the body that I have x

    July 23, 2016 at 9:34 am
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      It’s been so amazing to hear that everyone feels the same! I was reading an article about Cindy Crawford and Elle McPherson and even they said there were things they didn’t like and I just thought – gosh, if they feel like that, imagine the rest of us! I’m really trying to be more positive. It’s not easy! Thanks for sharing! PS. I think you’re beautiful!

      July 24, 2016 at 3:34 pm
  • Reply Jayne Ann Sim

    I have to say since I was 6 years old my body image has gone for a ball of loop. My Dad put me on my first Diet then. At 6 years old. Anyway my body image has not been a good one. So this Vlog was inspiring. And to say the least I am 53 now going onto 54 in September. So my thing is I need to let the control go of my Dad putting me on a Diet at 6. So this Vlog was eye opening that I am not the only one. So yes I have to agree that stuff what other people think and do your own thing. Love yourself and do what your body tells you to do. Mine is telling me that I need to love it more and yes I agree that once we accept our bodies as our own and be more positive then we have shifted our mindset and we can go forward into the future. So thank you Bailey it was inspiring !!!

    July 25, 2016 at 12:43 pm
    • Reply BaileySchneider

      Wow Jayne! Thank you so much for sharing this! I think so many of our body images do come from our childhood and then again in puberty! It’s so important how we speak about our own bodies, especially when children are around! You should be very proud of yourself for being aware of your own body image and most importantly for working on your mind! Bravo! I’m really grateful that you shared this with me! Thank you!

      July 25, 2016 at 1:15 pm

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