Disclosure: Thank you FP . Movement in Dick’s sportswear and Shopstyle Collective sponsored today’s post. What an amazing moment to be able to work with a brand that I really love and wear!
Hello! If you haven’t made me yet, I CassidyMarketing Manager here at TO LISTEN and I’m about to get really vulnerable with all of you today. I’ll take you on a journey towards confidence and positive body image – A true journey that never ends. Before diving in, I would like to say that I am not a medical professional, a nutritionist, nor a licensed therapist. If you’re struggling with disordered eating, I’ve listed some resources below:
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org | www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org
FP Movement shorts – This is possibly the most comfortable thing I own! [TTS] / FP Movement long sleeve shirt – Perfect for layering! [Size up if in between] / FP . motion tube socks
Regardless of your shape or size, body image, body disorders, eating disorders, etc. whoever. As a teen and teen, I really struggled with body image. It’s just something that I can’t stop thinking about. “What does this make me look like?” is a question that has been on my mind since I was 12 to 13 years old. I can clearly remember crying in the dressing room while trying on a swimsuit with my mom – A memory I’d rather forget. There are so many other memories of saying no to pool parties, locker room brawls, avoiding photos with my friends, the list goes on. And thinking back on it makes me so sad because I missed out on so many moments just thinking about my looks. It grieves me a little for younger Cassidy.
Over the past few years, I’ve made a promise to myself to try to create a better relationship with my body. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I’m grateful to myself and ultimately proud of myself for getting through it. I could go on and on about the harsh ups and downs of this journey, but I really wanted to share the things that helped me take those steps toward a more positive relationship with my body and self-esteem. My general news.
FP Movement shorts – [TTS] / FP Movement Shorts – Love these for exercise and lounging, plus the waistband is so comfortable! [TTS] / FP . motion tube socks / FP Movement Sling Bag – Fits your cell phone and is perfect for outdoor walks or runs!
All my life, I’ve been an athlete and never really “worked out” beyond my rigorous workouts and competition day regimen. When I finally left high school and entered college, I struggled with finding the motivation to exercise because in the long run it built into my life and schedule. Suddenly, I had to find the time and motivation to prioritize moving my body. Honestly, I never really found something that worked for me. I absolutely hate any kind of exercise and treat it as a chore or a punishment. I realized that I had created a really toxic relationship with exercise. A place where I have to “cut the calories” or keep up with the latest model in Vogue.
I consider myself someone who simply hates exercise. But really, I hate the idea that I have to work out to feel “worthy,” “thin,” “beautiful,” or “efficient.” It just felt like I did it for all the wrong reasons so I pushed it away and absolutely resented it.
It wasn’t until 2021 that I really found something that worked for me after A LOT of trial and error. I realized that I really like so much Structured workout classes at a secondary location [aka not at home] cardio balance and weight training. I hesitate to extend that for what works for me, may not work for you and it’s okay. With that said, I also make myself graceful and work very intuitively. If I really don’t feel it for a day, or even a week, then I give myself time and space to rest and recharge. Similarly, if I’m starting to feel a bit exhausted with my training regimen, I’d like to switch to practice mode and play ball on the weekends, go for a long walk with the dog, or even join a sand volleyball tournament. . Now I focus more on being physically active for my health rather than my looks and that has made all the difference. Plus, the more fun I had while moving my body, the more likely I was to do it again!
The last thing that really made me more comfortable walking into my skin and stepping out of the gym was buying and wearing comfortable clothes. It may seem very silly to come up with, but it makes all the difference. If I go to my gym class wearing something that’s too tight or uncomfortable, it makes wanting to leave that much more appealing. Finding workout clothes – or just clothes in general – that fit and fit your lifestyle can be a game changer. I have a new found love with FP . Movement – People’s Sports Line Free – it’s stretchy, comfortable and breathable. You can easily shop it at Dick’s sportswear!
FP Movement shorts – [TTS] / FP Movement Shorts – [TTS] / FP Movement Sling Bag
I say this all the time so I’ll say it again. Be your own best advocate. If one day I have children, I will tell them too. It sounds sick, but really in life we are alone. No one will be able to see you the way you see yourself. No matter how many people surround us, we end up stuck with ourselves forever. We enter this world alone and we will go out alone. Physically, I like to refer to this as my physical health. This is the only body I have been given in this life, the only real “home” I have. I want to make it strong, resilient and comfortable. And for me, that means being physically active, eating a well-balanced diet, seeing the doctor every year, doing breast self-exams, and just being generally aware of what’s going on with my breasts. own body.
On a more mental health level, I want all the moments in between the moments that I have with myself to be enjoyable and comfortable. If I can’t feel comfortable or accepted by myself, how can I expect to feel that way among others? When I find myself worrying about gaining 10 pounds, I ask myself… “Am I happy?” “How am I overall?” If I can answer yes to both of those questions then I’ll try to move on. I remember in my teenage years seeing this infamous ad with a quote in large letters, “Nothing tastes better than feeling thin“And now I know that couldn’t be further from the truth.
FP Movement shorts – [TTS] / FP . motion tube socks / FP Movement Sling Bag
One of the biggest changes I’ve made in my life is the way I talk to myself. I have a zero-tolerance rule at my home – Absolutely no negative self-talk. I once saw a quote that said “the words we speak become the house we live in” and that hit me hard. It basically means that what we say and think about ourselves becomes our reality. Instead of looking in the mirror and seeing only the things I don’t like about myself, I now look in the mirror and look at all the things I love and I cherish. I’m not perfect, and I can slip and fall sometimes but when that happens, I try to practice gratitude and think about all that my body does for me. Instead of thinking, “I wish my calves were slimmer,” I like to think, “I am so grateful to have healthy legs that allow me to do the things I love.”
I also want to think about my youth, or even my best friend… Did I ever say these things to her? Never. I would never even think about that. Because when I look back at my younger self or at my best friend, I don’t equate their worthiness with how they look. My hope is that we can extend that same thought process to ourselves.
FP Movement long sleeve shirt – [Size up if in between] / FP Movement Shorts – [TTS] / FP Movement Sling Bag
In short, I encourage and challenge you to fill your life with movements that bring you joy, be your own best friend, speak kindly to yourself as you do. with others and in comfort in your clothes and skin. While I did learn a few things along the way, I certainly didn’t know them all. My hope is to continue my journey towards positive body image and confidence in the long run. Thank you for reading along and I hope that you have achieved something [even if it’s small] from this post!
Cassidy is our Visual Content Creator and Social Outreach Specialist. When she’s not taking pictures, editing videos, creating amazing graphics, or educating the LIY team about sustainability and social causes, you can see Cassidy gazing at her two baby mice and her husband. his move. With a passion for frugality, interior design and modern eclectic style, you can always expect to discover the most unique thanks to Cassidy.
