17 Again!

Last night at meeting we were talking about body image. None of us at meeting wanted to be like the Paris Hilton's and Nicole Richie's of the world - too thin, too unhealthy. One lady told about a conversation she had with a friend. Now, this lady has lost almost 50 lbs - she's done amazing - but has a ways to go. Anyway, she was telling her friend that she thought the cellulite was moving up her leg (none on the bottom of her legs anymore) and was wondering about when it would disappear from the top of her legs. The friend said, "You'll never be 16 again." Plain and simple, I will never be 17 again.

Yes, I have pictures of me when I was 17 that I pull out and say, "If I could just get to 135 again.". At 135 lbs I was thin - hell, I was hot. I will never be 17 again. I also have a picture of me at 27. I was thin (140 lbs) and I was healthy (and Mark thought I was hot). I will never be 27 again. I have a picture of me at 37 (ugh). Can't wait to say goodbye to the almost 190 lb frame I've been carrying around - I think Mark is the ONLY one who said I was hot, but I just wasn't feeling it. This frame is diminishing weekly, thanks to Weight Watchers and the support of my fellow bloggers. I have until December left to live with myself at 37 and then I will never be 37 again.

I think, though, that by the end of this age I can take a picture that I will be happy with, because this is my year of making a change and embracing the future and taking time for me. I think that I can be beautiful to myself at any age and I will embrace that I am healthy. I will strive to be a healthy 47 year old, 57 year old, and 67 year old - you get the picture. Health and loving yourself, that is the true source of beauty. And this outlook is a good thing - because I will never be 17 again.