Bikini Confidence: Prevention RD
Nicole Knows How To Be Her Happiest Self
There are some food bloggers, like me, who talk about healthy eating and then there are bloggers who actually know about it. Nicole knows her stuff. She’s a Registered Dietitian who specializes in diabetes. She writes informative pieces, answers readers’ FAQs, and shares her delicious and healthy recipes in her blog at Prevention RD. Enjoy her contribution to the Bikini Confidence series.
Hello Bikini Birthday readers! I absolutely love Samatha’s candid writing — her posts always make me smile. I am honored she asked me to write a guest post on body image. Thanks, girl!
So with Bikini Birthday’s birthday here, it’s time to celebrate you…just as you are, perfectly imperfect. Because that’s what you are.
It’s not always easy to have positive body image, but it’s important to come back to loving yourself at the end of each day. As the saying goes, you have to love yourself in order for others to love you, too. I learned this first-hand.
Tipping the scales from the age of 3, body image was always a struggle for me. And in high school when I shed 70+ pounds, it was easier to feel better about myself. I was finally able to do things that meant more than looks alone — I ran, smiled, and glowed with true happiness because my physical opinion of myself was no longer holding me back. My stomach was never flat, toned, or tan…but I donned a bikini back then! My bikini body was physically-speaking leaps and bounds ahead of what once was, and I for once, I was satisfied with what the mirror reflected back at me. Faded stretch marks, loose skin and all…a better me. A genuinely happy me.
Today I do not carry a weight I am happiest at, but I remain happy and with healthy body image. To gain 20 pounds (due to health problems) and to have good body image is a reflection of my opinion of me — head-to-toe, INSIDE and out — what really matters. And if you ask yourself what makes you proud of YOU, what would you say? Chances are it isn’t something on your exterior. And so maybe that’s the problem…we put too much emphasis and self-worth on things that do not produce a better, prouder, healthier, happier you.
So ask yourself, what makes you proud of you? And celebrate that…because you are more than a size, shape, or weight.
If you missed it, check out HEAB’s Bikini Confidence post here. If you have a story to share about your own struggles with body image or your opinion on how women’s body image is affected by media or society please feel free to e-mail me your idea at samanthaamenzies@gmail.com.
July 21st, 2010 at 11:31 pm
This is a really touching post…I can’t imagine how much or a struggle you’ve been through (Nicole) since you were a 3-year-old! You are beautiful though, inside and out. I can tell that just through this post!
Great guest post Samantha…and happy early birthday!
July 22nd, 2010 at 8:39 am
[...] P.S. Please check out my guest post on body image on Samantha’s blog, Bikini Birthday! [...]
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:45 am
Thanks for the opportunity to guest post, Samantha!
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
“…what really matters.” Love that part.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:19 am
i didnt know any of this before! wow! Nicole this is amazing! and to have been through it all and come out on top with a life you can be truly proud of, wow, that is worth of major credit!
xoxo
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
this is true confidence! Im proud too that I dont let me imperfect body get in the way of my bathing suit time… while not a bikini, I don’t feel like im hiding myself either!
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Loved this post, so genuine and positive
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I am loving this series! A good read and a great way to see new blogs I maybe haven’t seen yet
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Wonderful post!
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:16 pm
This is a wonderful post, Nicole! Your self-confidence is inspiring – and you are absolutely beautiful! I love the wedding picture of you and Mr. Prevention. Thanks for a great story, and thanks to Samantha for posting!
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:44 pm
oh i love this…..so honest and true!
July 26th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
this was beautiful! i totally know what it’s like for your weight to be effected by your health, and to have the guts to feel sexy anyways?!? go girl!
-r