Dove Real Beauty Campaign - New Commercial - Camera Shy

Now, you all know I’d give my first born child (if I had one) to work with Dove on their campaign for Real Beauty, right? Their commercials are the epitome of what I try and get across in each of my blog posts when it comes to self-love and self-acceptance. And this new commercial is no exception. Check it out here. I think the one line in the video says it all…. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMt2Nrdjxy0

Why do you think we stop believing we are beautiful?

My Journey - Update 3

Up until yesterday (and I’m sure I’ll have my days hereafter as well) I was cranky as all hell, pissy, upset and pessimistic that I was doing this weight-loss/confidence-building journey, because, who was I kidding? I couldn’t do this! Why do I have to be the one who can’t lose weight? I even told my trainer yesterday that I was this close to skipping his workout and getting a big glass of alcohol (Bridesmaids reference J) and a burger instead. But, I decided that I’d workout and if I still wanted it after, I’d get it. But get this...afterwards, I was so proud that I finished the grueling workout on the beach that not only did I not crave it, I didn’t want to eat badly either because I just put so much effort in and no way was I going to sabotage myself. 

The past few weeks have been very difficult because I was PMSing, and with that comes increased hormones (much more so as I’ve gotten older) that lead to all kinds of emotions. And well, I’m an emotional eater. But I just kept going and eating and tracking my food (Weight Watchers) and going to the support groups and working out with people I really enjoy and who support me. My trainer even told me to go off of carbs for a week which caused decreased energy and crankiness. But I did it. And you know what? I woke up this morning and weighed myself anyway even though I really thought I wasn’t going to like what I saw (I do it every week, same day, right after I get up) and to my surprise I’m finally under 150 pounds. Shock and happiness overcame me. You know why? Because after all that negative self-talk of “I can’t do this”, I was actually doing it! Seeing even a slight decrease made all the difference in my attitude. And when I actually did the math and saw how much I’ve lost since I’ve started this process, it’s been a whopping 11.8 pound weight loss thus far. I still have a ways to go, but hot damn I’m doing it!! What a difference a day makes. And as I’ve said before, some days I think I can, some days I think I can’t, but either way, I just keep doing. So, I say the same to you. Just keep doing. It also helps that I have wonderful people as support. So find your support system and do it. I swear it works, although not as fast as you may want it to. It’s a process, it’s a journey and you know what, I’ll get there when I get there. But I feel stronger and healthier than I have in a long time and I’m not even near the weight I was before. There really is something to living a healthy lifestyle to be healthy and not just to lose weight. Oh, and it helps to have a goal too. So, mine is Vegas at the end of July. Now, my goal isn't to have a perfect body, it's to get under a certain weight and body fat percentage. And as long as I just keep doing, I'm proud of myself because that in and of itself is a habit change for me and I'm so much happier because of it. 

My Journey - Update 2

New Year, New Career, and I’m Praying, a New Perspective

Hi kids! It’s been a while but as we move into 2013, I’ve had a few interesting things in the works that have now come to fruition. First, I’ve started my own fashion styling business. Second, I’m also working as a bridal consultant, something I’m so excited about simply because now I can say I’m watching “Say Yes To The Dress” for ‘research purposes’. LOL. Anyway, at the end of this month, I’m also doing a photoshoot with SchlickArt, which I’m nervous about for a variety of reasons. Which brings me to the “New Perspective” part of this blog.

I’m sure you all know by now, whether through personal conversations or through a few of my videos, that I’ve struggled with my weight pretty much all my life. And coming out of the holidays, it’s no surprise that I put on some weight again after all the goodies that have been abundantly around. In the past, I’ve done Weight Watchers, which really did work, then I just got lazy and fell back into my old bad habits. I won’t even mention all the other shit I’ve tried over the years to lose weight. Either way, I’m not exactly comfortable at the weight I’m at right now. This ties back around to the photoshoot that’s coming up in a few weeks. I’ve debated taking diet pills to get me down 15 pounds by the end of the month, drinking nothing but diet juices, yada, yada. But you know what? I love food too much to starve myself. I’m too old for that shit anymore. I get too damn cranky if I go without eating. But what about those pictures that will be around forever and ever?? Here’s the conclusion I’ve come to after getting super depressed and anxious over just thinking about not eating the food I love anymore. Fuck it. I’m letting it go…for now. I want to get back on Weight Watchers again and document my journey. It’s not going to be easy. But that’s for later.

Right now, today, I’m going to stop eating only junk food because I think for some reason I won’t ever have it again and just start to eat normally again. Truth be told, the whole purpose of this photoshoot is for REAL women to appreciate themselves as they are IN THAT MOMENT. So it doesn’t matter how much I weigh, or if I’m breaking out, I’ll look the best I can at that time and show myself that I’m still one sexy thang, even with a few extra pounds on my body. After all, my worth should NOT be based on a number on the scale, yet I’ve allowed it to. So for this photoshoot, I think it’s going to be my most raw one to date. I’m scared as all shit, but in that fear I’m hoping to discover a little more self love. I need to practice what I preach and I’m not always the best at loving myself when I’m down. So stay tuned to see the photos and video of the shoot. And I encourage you to reexamine your perspective about yourself and body image. EVERY woman I have ever come across has some type of issue with her body. Why? Why do we focus so much on our flaws and not see how damn sexy we are??