Sometimes you don’t know how good you have it until it’s gone. Sad, but true. Just the other day I heard a woman in her 60’s talk about how insecure she used to be about her legs. She never wore skirts or shorts in her youth. But if she had known then what she knows now? She would have spent her twenties prancing around in Daisy Dukes in the cold of winter.
Don’t get me wrong, I have been guilty of this too. In the past, I’ve nitpicked and hated on every part of my body, and never stopped to appreciate my blessings. Days—months even!—went by when I treated my body like the enemy, and tortured it with deprivation, over training, and negative thoughts. I would even dress in outfits that resembled a mumu so I could hide every little “imperfection.” Even though my body was perfectly healthy, my only focus was on what I felt my body lacked instead of all its capabilities. My body allowed me to get from point A to point B with ease, yet I couldn’t get past the size of my hips, my tiny breasts, and my muffin top.
Recently, I learned that one of my best girl friends was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Despite her illness, her gratitude, strength and willpower is inspiring, admirable, and she is officially one of my heroes. When she was confiding in me, admittedly I was struck with guilt for all the times I took my body for granted. Like leafing through a flipbook, years of body cruelty flashed before my eyes. All the years that I beat myself up for the tiny bit of fat that hung over my jeans or that little bit of cellulite that ran down the back of my legs. Never once stopping to appreciate the miracle and privilege of a simple walk around the block.
At that moment, it became very clear to me that gratitude is something you must experience every day. It’s easy to feel grateful during times of great tragedy and celebration, but I've realized that simple acknowledgements of gratitude can be the difference between a life well lived, and a life that passes you by—the same holds true for your body.
Those small moments of gratitude can determine whether or not you choose to spend your mornings hating what you see in the mirror or immediately getting out of bed and going for a walk or run. The body never stays the same, but you have the choice to choose how you feel about it.
Make the commitment that today will be the day that you will find what I like to call “small gratitude.” Tiny, small, simple thoughts about your body, that if applied everyday, make huge monumental changes.
First thing in the morning, say your “small gratitude” at least 10 times either to yourself or write it down. Take the time to feel it in your heart. Don’t just rush through it. Repeat your small gratitude to yourself whenever you can remember throughout the day.
Try out these “small gratitudes.”
1. Thank you for getting me out of bed this morning.
2. Thank you for getting me to work.
3. Thank you for sitting while I listened to my friend.
4. Thank you for letting me hug him/her.
5. Thank you for having the ability to hold their hand.
6. Thank you for the belly laugh.
Before going to bed, take five to reflect about your day and your small gratitude.
Honor your body, honor you.
Kit Rich is Los Angeles-based fitness trainer with endless exercise and nutritional know-how. Hollywood's hottest stars are addicted to Kit's unique, multi-disciplined approach that combines cardio, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Kit's clients are immediately taken by her funny and honest approach to health and fitness. She treats her clients as she treats herself, "with a hard challenge, sensibility, sensitively, and a good laugh." Follow Kit on Twitter @kitrichfitness.
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Jan 10, 2013
Krista C.
I am deff on the long list of young women who are uncomfy in their own skin. I don't usually show my insecurities to others. This inspired me
Jan 05, 2013
Teneisha M.
Awesome Article...this helped me on the road to being comfortable in my own skin (:
Jan 02, 2013
Yareli R.
Last december i had a car accident that broke my neck shoulder & wrist,i also lost movement of my right eye & had to wear an eye patch for 8mhts oh & lost hearing 4rm my left ear i wore a halo neckbrace for 3mths b4 dat i was Always complainin about my body now i appreciate every day like its my last & yes am thick but i LoVe my self & make it work not stress on it!!!! Lets love ourselfs & the tiniest things we have
Dec 27, 2012
Jadyn W.
I'm just now reading this post and I love it! Your posts always inspire me and really give me a new perspective on myself and my body! I am so grateful to get to read these articles. They will surely help me get through these awful teen years haha :)
Nov 25, 2012
Evie-Rose F.
Thank you Kit this has inspired me today to look at myself differently and to take a positive out look on life instead of looking at the negative Im 23 and I get told I'm a negative person so as of today the 25th of November 2012 I promise to be more grateful for the little things and that will overall improve my outlook and positivity in my life because life is just to short xoxo
Nov 25, 2012
Lindsey H.
:) yes. We are all our own worse critics.
Nov 14, 2012
Althea N.
I can't even explain to you how badly I needed to read this! I am my own worst critic!
Nov 14, 2012
Kit R.
Nov 10, 2012
Sandra C.
Thank you for this wonderful article, I really needed it. I lost my health in a flash! Literally went from being A very active Mommy of 6 ages 10 to 6 months to being chronically fatigued, constant pain, so sick! A long list of diagnosis, many, many surgeries, meds, etc, some days i wake up feeling decent, and within a few minutes, i get nauseated, a migraine, or be out of my mind pain! It is so hard to make and or keep plans. It has been a long 19+ year journey. I wish I would have been alot more grateful before. Now I am so grateful for a day when I can help clean our home, or cook dinner, walk into a store to shop, spend time with my Family, play with my grandkids, the things most of us take for granted. Life is very precious and fragile. Our attitude is sometimes the only thing we can choose and have control over. Some can be mean and judgmental to you, because you choose to smile and "you look fine", that is very devastating to someone who is already scared and suffering. I am eternally grateful for those who have loved me and been true friends. If you have your health, it is more valuable than all of the money in the world. If you have your health you have everything, treasure it, don't ever, ever take it for granted! I have been extra blessed with my amazing husband and best friend of 31 years and our wonderful children. All they want is for me to be able to spend time with them, and do all they can to make that possible, another HUGE blessing. My heart, love and prayers go out to all who are suffering :).
Nov 14, 2012
Althea N.
Nov 14, 2012
Kit R.
Nov 10, 2012
Kelli B.
Thank you ladies for the kind and encouraging words. They truly mean a lot. It gives me a little motivation to go on a bike ride or go for that walk around the block. I was 33 when my stroke occurred. And thought they only happened 'to old folks.' wrong!
Kit-question, is there something else besides green tea to take for energy?? Green tea affects my blood thinners (Coumadin/warfarin).
Thanks ladies!
Nov 09, 2012
Kelli B.
Oh truer words were never written! Unfortunate you don't know what you got til it's gone. And I am guilty of it too. I had a massive brain stem stroke 4 years ago. Now it's an accomplishment for me to walk a block.
Looking back I think I must have been crazy. I wore size 27 inch waist jeans and I still thought I was fat. Now I have gained more weight than I care to admit. And I would give anything to be that weight again.
It's not in the cards right now. But it's better than being 6 feet deep. People definitely need to stop and smell the roses a little more. And be grateful for what you have!
Nov 09, 2012
Kit R.
Nov 09, 2012
Jasmine P.
Nov 14, 2012
Althea N.