Thursday, March 18, 2010

Things I love about my body

Yes, you read that right. I've changed my tune, and I'm not sure how long this feeling will last, so let's just go with it, ok? In the last few weeks, several of you commented and wrote me emails about my constant negative body talk, which I admit was hard to hear at first. But after I digested everything you said, I realized that you were right—enough is enough already! Honestly, I didn't even realize how bad (and annoying!) I sounded. I am incredibly hard on myself, and I know that my negativity will not only keep me from obtaining my goals, but just plain drive me NUTS! 

So anyway, back to my body. I was inspecting myself in the mirror last night, and actually *gasp* liked what was staring back at me. I don't think I'll be posting bikini pics up on Facebook any time soon, but here we have it, readers—things I love about my body:

1. My shape. I've always had a hard time putting my body into a category. I'm not pear-shape or apple, or any other fruit. And I'm not long and lean, or even petite really. One time Liza suggested that I might be square-shaped, to which I decided once and for all I'm going to stop trying to figure out where exactly I fit in. I'm Ellen-shape, and the thing I love the most about that is my proportions—I'm pretty even all over. I'm not top or bottom-heavy or too soft or muscular in any one area. And I've got subtle curves in just the right places. I can honestly say I love my shape.

2. My feet. They're small, but not freakishly so, and I have pretty, long toes. (Apparently that means I'm going to be rich one day or something?) And when my toenails are perfectly polished, I feel confident I could have a successful career as a foot model. Right, need to look into that!

3. My legs. When I was younger, I used to hate how muscular my legs were, but now I've come to appreciate them—I love feeling strong. I even caught myself checking them out in the gym mirrors the other day when I was doing lunges. Daaamn, girrrl!  Oh and I can't even tell you how many compliments I've received on my sculpted calves—they do look killer when I'm wearing heels!

4. My booty. My derriere has been a work in progress over the years, and I must say I am quite proud of it. (Walking lunges work, y'all!) I'm not packing too much back, but I've got just enough to nicely fill out my jeans. 

Whew, I did it! It does feel nice bragging on myself every once in a while. I highly recommend it. Here's your chance: What do you love about your body?

15 comments:

  1. Awesome! Those are some great things to like about yourself. I like that you picked things that you have worked hard for as well as things you are just blessed with.
    Me - I am a big fan of my neck/shoulder region. I am lucky that I have feminine, yet strong shoulders.
    I also dig my feet - a nice coat of paint on the totsies can do a lot to make you feel pretty.

    Great post!

    SCS

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  2. yaay!!! That's some pretty awesome bragging!! I also think you have a pretty face and great smile, which you should have included in that list!

    As for me, I actually really like my booty. I have a pretty big one, and growing up I was always insecure and embarrassed because of that. Now, I have embraced it and actually come to love it as something that makes my body unique! I also like my stomach after years and years of 8-minute abs on youtube! hahaha! Try it y'all...it REALLY works!

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  3. MY FEET!!! They are a size 5.5/6 so usually when I go shoe shopping I am the display size and I can try anything on without having to ask the salesperson to get it in my size!! :)

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  4. Ellen...you also have a great nose:)
    I enjoy reading all the positive comments on people's bodies. It's too easy to get caught up in the air brushed magazine mayhem which leads to unhappy thoughts regarding your body.

    Myself..I love my hair, shoulders/back and calves! It's taken years and thousands of lbs in weight lifting but it also works!

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  5. That was a lovely post to read everyone should take the time to appreciate what they love about their body. Me, I love my baby soft skin. What I get the most compliments on from men is my rear, so it must be pretty good.

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  6. AWESOME!! I bet you were smiling as you wrote all that. I hope you were.

    I love my collarbones. Even when I was chubbier, they were pretty and feminine. I also love my eyebrows - it takes minimum effort to keep them shaped nicely and people compliment me on them. I also love my hands.

    haliwoodsaywhat.blogspot.com

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  7. Great post! This is tough, not used to thinking about all of the things I LIKE about my body! I also like my overall shape, thin but also a little curvy in the right places. I also like my hands, lips, eyes and eyebrows. I am happy with my slender arms too. This is what I need to think about when I start the negative body talk.

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  8. Yay for Ellen! It is hard to compliment yourself and I think we are our own worst enemies and critics. Glad you did it though and hopefully it will inspire other women to have a positive outlook on themselves!

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  9. Bravo to all of you.
    Unfortunately, society puts too much pressure on women to be perfect, and no one is.
    And the truth is, men love all those imperfections.
    Most of us really want smart, normal women. We're not entirely focused on whether she's an A or a D cup or any other exterior measurements.

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  10. Sweet Ellen! I bet my wife wishes that I would get into the same mind set. She HATES when I obsess about weight and food. I actually like what I see in the mirror after a good workout or a long night of drinking. I think its the dehydration after drinking than leans me out.. Anyway, we have all seen videos and pictures of you Ellen. We all know your hot, you're just the last one on the boat.

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  11. love it! i have shape envy (being a ntw=no hips no waist no curves). but i'm working on loving my square. lol

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  12. Aww shucks, thanks, guys!

    Nice shoulders is a great asset to be blessed with, Shannon. I used to think I had linebacker shoulders when I was in high school, but that's just because I was a swimmer. When I quit, they magically shrunk back to a normal size!

    Beth, you're sweet. I always forget about counting my face as a body part. Admittedly, sometimes I get so obsessed about my body, I don't even think a nice smile, pretty eyes, etc even COUNTS. But it certainly should. Work that booty, girl! :)

    MHP, Wow that is a pretty sweet advantage to having small feet! And hello, I've seen those long stems you're working with...you gotta love your legs, too!

    My nose? Really? Thanks, Barbara! What are your favorite shoulders/back exercises? I'm always trying to come up with new moves to target those areas, but I usually end up doing the same 3 exercises!

    Soft skin...good one SAW. Do you have any secrets to getting it that way?

    Yep, Kim, I was smiling when I wrote this. There certainly is truth to the power of positive thinking.

    JKW...slender arms? I'm not even going to allow myself to be jealous right now :)

    Thnx Porsche, I hope so!

    Ron, sounds like the guys in NYC could learn a few things from you!

    George, you're making me blush! Thanks dude. I'll have to check myself out after a long night of drinking now. Somehow I doubt I will feel "lean" but ya never know!

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  13. Hey Ellen--Thanks for the sweet response to my comment. I don't know what's wrong with these guys who give the rest of us a bad name.

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  14. What 3 exercises do you do? or email me:)

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  15. Nice work! I wish more woman would do this regularly. It's a pain in the ass convincing a girl she doesn't have a big ass! And I like a something to grab so it's counter-intuitive for me.

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