Don't Look Like Me.

This morning, I woke up to check my email to find the message below from one of my followers:

It read:

 "Hi, I would like to say I'm ashamed of myself.. you look better than me when you were pregnant and now you look amazing. I wish I would have your body one day."

This truly breaks my heart. 

No woman should ever feel ashamed of their bodies due to how another woman looks. 

I never want to make you feel awful about your bodies. Ever. I do not care if you are my worst enemy. I have struggled with body image before and suffered through an eating disorder and I can tell you that it is a hard battle to fight. Even to this day, I am overcoming my body dysmorphia to see myself for how I really look and not how I think I may look. Yes, even I still get insecure! I am human. I am not your idol. I make mistakes and I fall short, too. Even when it come to this.

When I was 50 lbs. heavier and unmotivated, I used to spend countless moments looking at photos on the internet of "fit girls" and how much I wished I could be them or have their bodies. Then, it would make me feel terrible about my own body and I would get depressed and down myself in a tub of ice cream and say "Fuck it, I will never look like her."

I was right. With that attitude, I wouldn't. Instead of reading what these women did to attain that body or to get fit, I would automatically say "That won't be me." Sadly, this is a concept I see a lot of. 

The first thing that you must realize is that every woman is truly unique-shape, size, features, you name it. It is what makes us beautiful. If we all looked the same, how boring would that be?

I do NOT expect you to look exactly like me. Acually, I do not want you to look like me. Here is what I DO want. I want you to look like the happiest, healthiest, and best version of YOU.

If you feel ashamed of your body, I am here to encourage you with that-it is my JOB. This is what I dedicate my days and my life to-helping you get fit, happy, and most of all healthy. My job is never to discourage you, though. 

When I chose to keep up a fit pregnancy, I got so many nasty comments such as this one:

"She's bragging and throwing it in my face and I am sitting here on doctor's orders, unable to workout. She makes me feel like a lazy slob."

Hello. Since when did my actions and my choices affect your conscience? You feel the way you do for a reason, but nobody can make you feel a certain way. You choose to feel the way that you do. I know this. I have been there.

If you feel ashamed of your body or feel the need for improvement, work for it. Don't sit there and say "I wish I looked like you or her or "Mary Poppins." Do work. Be a go-getter. Kick some ass. Believe in yourself.

Why?

Cause' you're worth it. 

So, don't strive to look like me or to "have my body." Strive for you, strive for your body.

Write your OWN success story! 

Ultimately, your health lies in your own hands. Today is a new day. Take advantage, love yourself, and DO WORK.

Hugs,

Sia Cooper