Check Out Other Participating Bloggers:
Empowered Dollar / School of Moxie / FrugalBeautiful/ Through Heather’s Looking Glass/ Frugal Portland
It’s the week of Thanksgiving and that means our focus shifts to things we are thankful for. I’m sure the first things that pop in your mind are your friends, your family, your church, your God, and things of that nature. Those things are all amazing, but guess what, you are too! As women, we tend to nitpick our bodies on a daily basis. Without even realizing it, we hate on our bodies day in and day out. How many times have you complained to a friend about your hips being too wide, your skin being too pale, your calves being scrawny or your arms being too flabby? Sadly, I catch myself and my friends and family members caught in this trap. There is so much pressure to look a certain way and fit a certain mold. But today, just for a moment, I want you to shift your focus. I challenge you to think positively about YOUR body. I challenge you to LOVE the skin you are in no matter what the size, shape, or color. I believe the Lord created each woman beautifully and in His image (Genesis 1:27). He created your arms that help you hug and love on your spouse, He created your legs that help you run and keep up with your child, He created your body to move and bring Him glory and he created your mouth that can uplift others and offer a warm smile to touch someone’s day. As a fitness instructor at Pure Barre, we are doing a Body Thankful campaign right now and I just couldn’t help but share about this here as well. Working in the world of fitness is one of the most powerful and uplifting experiences, and I so hope that I can help others take ownership of their body and take care of it the way the Lord intended us to. It also makes me highly aware of how we as women see flaws in ourselves that no one else sees, so with all that said I want to issue a challenge to each of you. 
I challenge you to come up with at least 1 thing that you are thankful for about YOUR body or your self image. You are the ONLY person who can empower you to be positive about your body. Take that first step today! Please share yours in the comments below. Let’s use this as a way to encourage each other. Please share this with your friends on FB and invite them to take the challenge to be thankful for their beautiful bodies and personalities as well. Guess that means I’m up first then, huh? 😉 I’m thankful for a very welcoming smile and laugh that draws people in. I am also thankful to have a strong body that enables me to be able to workout and do things I love like travel and hike with my hubs!
What a beautiful post! 🙂 I used to think my body wasn’t “right”… I’m short and curvy. Petite clothing doesn’t come cut for an hourglass figure. I fixed that problem when I started sewing clothes tailored to my frame and figure. Now I am thankful that I am strong! In my CrossFit gym, the guys covet my calves. When I go salsa dancing, my dance partners compliment the strength of my legs. I would much rather be strong now, instead of toothpick skinny. If the zombie apocalypse comes, I know I can kick some butt. 🙂
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Haha, LOVE this answer, Mary Ann! 🙂 If it ever comes down to the real life Hunger Games, you my dear, are set!
I am curvy and strong!
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Love it, Sue!
Awww, I love this post!!!! I am currently eight months (VERY) pregnant. Baby K is due December 22 and I began this incredible journey with one major goal: get healthy and not gain weight. I was overweight when I found out I was pregnant but with major diet changes and persistent (but safe) exercise, I’ve lost 17 pounds. I even went to my FIRST Pure Barre studio with some fellow Dallas/Fort Worth bloggers in August. It was I-N-T-E-N-S-E!!!! But I survived … and even managed a plank. Now that we’re less than a month away from Delivery Day, my Doctor wants me to stop going to the gym, rest as much as possible, and relax. Baby K is growing and developing very well, but I have to be smart and safe during these last few weeks. This Thanksgiving and Christmas will be one I’ll never forget.
My trip to Pure Barre —> http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/pure-barre-with-dfw-bloggers/
Blessings & Hugs,
Nicole @ Three 31
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Nicole, thank you SO much. I wish you all the best with a safe and healthy strong finish to your pregnancy and a beautiful little baby! Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for participating in the challenge. Going to read about your PB journey now.
I just love this blog, Heather! It’s like you’re talking right at me. 🙂 I’m thankful for the loose skin that I’m usually so insecure about because that proves how hard I’ve worked to readjust my health and fitness since I was a little chubbo kid :). Cheers to overcoming childhood obesity! Haha
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Ashley, you are so sweet. 🙂 Thank you SO much for sharing and for your openness. I am so proud of you and encouraged by this. You are beautiful!
I’m thankful that I have a body that can be strengthened and challenged by exercise. I also love my blue eyes
“Only you can empower you.” Amen to that! I just wanna say how much I’m thankful for my stomach. I’ve had a rough relationship with it over the years, but it’s taught me a lot and I’m happy to report I now listen to my gut and treat it with more love 🙂
I’m thankful that my body cooperated when I forced it back to the barre (Pure Barre) after decades of not working out, except for gardening and walking. I was so pleased to see that I could still master most of the routines and it got easier with each class. Many thanks to my daughters for encouraging me to go and to the instructors for their patience and assistance. And, above all, thanks to God for health and strength to keep improving!