How do you get a beach body? I mean, what even is a beach body anyway?

Here’s my recipe for a killer beach bod: put a swimsuit on that bod and take your happy ass to the beach.

I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to look a certain way or act a certain way or have a certain level of muscle tone to put on a bikini or go to the beach or to feel great about your body. I want you to love who you are, no matter what size or shape you may be. You are a work of art. Love that. Embrace that. And above all else, YOU DO YOU.

As much as I’m here to tell you to love and embrace who you already are, I’m also here to tell you that it’s ok to care about that beautiful bod. It’s ok to want to be healthier and stronger and even more comfortable in your own skin. It’s ok if you want more tone and less jiggle. All of those things are ok. It just took me a long time to realize it.

After years of absolutely hating everything about who I was and what I looked like, when I finally embraced the fact that I was ENOUGH, and that I was WORTHY, I felt guilty any time I thought about working out or eating healthy. Somehow, I let myself go down this slippery slope of believing that wanting to change something about myself meant I didn’t appreciate who I already was or who I was made to be.

But, I think it’s the opposite. I love who I am and who I’m becoming. I appreciate this life I have and this body that I’m in. And I want to take care of it so that I can use it for a really, really long time. I want to be the absolute best version of myself. I want to make a good thing even better.

So, yeah, I workout and I fuel my body with whole foods and nutrients. I do these things because my body and my mind reap the rewards. I do these things because I can. Because I have a body that works and I want to use it as much as possible. I do these things because I know the health benefits and I feel and experience the changes.

I don’t do these things so that others will pleased or so that I will fit into some narrow spectrum of beauty that the media is pounding away at me. My worth is not found in food. My worth is not found in the opinions of others. My worth is not diminished if I accidentally on purpose eat a donut (or three). And I am not more worthy if I wake up at 6 am to work out or bake my children perfect oatmeal for breakfast every morning. (The latter has yet to happen)

I am worthy, because I am me.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Take care of yourself. Love yourself.

You hear me, friends? You hear me, Mamas? It’s ok to do something for yourself. When we’re on a plane, we have to grab the oxygen mask first before we can even attempt to help anyone else. Take care of yourself and it will overflow abundantly into the rest of your life.

I am on this journey for me. That’s not selfish. It’s necessary.

xo | Brooke

If you’re looking for accountability and community while you’re on this loving-yourself journey, join us on facebook HERE. We share healthy recipes, positive affirmations, and the occasional funny meme. Because we are living our best lives. 🙂