Giving Thanks For My Body

By , SparkPeople Blogger
I have so many things in my life to be thankful for. I have great kids, a supportive husband, good friends, a job I love- the list could go on and on. But I don't always take the time to think about those things because it's easy to get caught up in the negatives. I didn't get enough sleep last night, the kids were cranky today or my pre-pregnancy pants don't fit. Those are a few of the most recent "complaints". That's why I was glad to have the opportunity to do this blog, because it made me stop and think about some of the things I should be thankful for that I often overlook.

My body is one of those things that I'm not thankful for enough. It's easy for me to complain that I don't look exactly like I did before I had kids (no, that's not actually a picture of me you see), or that the lack of sleep has started to age me more than I'd prefer. But if I stop to think about all of the things I ask of my body and how much it does for me, I consider myself lucky.

If I look back at just the past 6 years, there are some big things I've asked of my body. I've trained for and completed 5 marathons, with my two fastest times being after I had kids. I've pushed through pain and fatigue to reach those goals, and my body has never failed me. I've never been sidelined with a running injury serious enough to keep me from completing what I've set out to do. I've had two children and been their primary food source for the first year of their lives. I've never had any serious diseases or medical problems.

I've done all of these things without always treating my body with the respect it deserves. I don't take much time to relax and get easily stressed out over small things. I don't always make the best food choices, sometimes opting for the less-healthy option because it's easier. I have a hard time not being critical of myself when I look in the mirror.

So maybe it's time for me to start appreciating my body a little more. It might not be perfect, but it's tough, and it's helped me do so many things I never thought possible. When I think about it, I know I'm lucky. So in this season of giving thanks, I'm thankful for me.

What are you thankful for this year?