exposed

Posted: October 14, 2010 at 11:00 am

Bloggers of the Day (chosen randomly from your comments)

Crazy. That would come as the initial thought when considering posting a picture of your pregnant body in a bikini where anyone with an internet connection could stumble across it. Too bad my mind doesn’t quite work like that. Empowered immediately follows feelings of crazy. When the opportunity to practice what I state to believe opens up, who am I to deny it?

What would that say if I shied away because posting such an exposed picture could strike fear in a woman’s (aka my) heart? Haven’t I worked long and hard to grow into a more self-loving person? Shouldn’t my actions speak louder than my words which claim I feel proud of my body and all it provides me? I spent an entire 30 Days working to share a message of loving ourselves, inside and out, including appreciating the gifts of our bodies.

So when Michelle from Eating Journey asks me to share an Exposed message on my blog, what would it say if I avoided it because what I look like in a bikini right now is not something I would have posted with confidence even six months ago? You know we can all be pretty picky of the photos we share with others - being sure to pick only the ones where we successfully managed a flattering body angle, smile, open eyes, combed hair, and still look natural. Well, that goes all out the window for me today, folks. So hello world, this is me!

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In reality, though, that isn’t truly ME. When completing this project, this image becomes a blank canvas. A place to splash the truth and paint the person behind the skin. Those outward qualities are not the defining truths of my whole. They are not the mother, the wife, the friend, the child of God, the woman passionately blogging her heart out to the world, the fitness enthusiast, the bookworm, the football fan, or the cockroach hater. The real me looks more like this…

exposed copy

…but covered with even more text to even begin to tell my story. We are not what we see in the mirror. And a picture of you, or me, is worth so much more than a thousand words. It is worth a soul, a heart, a life. Expose the reality. That is what matters. That is who you are. Beautiful, purposeful, created with love, and deserving of all the care and respect in this world.

hoorayforyouquote

  • What’s something you would write on your “blank canvas” to paint the beautiful picture of who you are?
  • To learn more or to participate in the Exposed Movement, CLICK HERE!
  • Something to do? Ask me anything by CLICKING HERE. Turns out the box on my sidebar didn’t work, so CLICK to ask away. C’mon! I only have one question so far and will need more to do a Q&A during November.

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94 Comments to “exposed”
  1. You’re too awesome for words! Love that belly!

    And super cute bikini too 🙂

  2. Holly says:

    Tina, you are absolutely beautiful and glowing!

  3. LOVE what you wrote on your tummy!

    I’m glad you decided to expose yourself girl 🙂

  4. Wow, I love this!!! and thanks for the shout out! 🙂

  5. Ahhhh, I love it!!!! Such a picture of vitality and life!

  6. There’s nothing more beautiful than a woman who’s creating another life! Love this!

  7. Felicia says:

    Healthy and Beautiful!!

  8. this is beautiful, Tina… and so are you!!

    my words would include Strong. Wise. Giving. Fun. Creative. *Sparkly*

    <3

  9. Kristy says:

    Actions do indeed speak louder! I commend you for posting this! You have nothing to hid, you are perfectly healthy and radiant! 🙂

  10. When/if this is me in a few years, I know I have some serious attitude adjustments to make, for example, I don’t see my chest as a tool more than just things that make me look female.

  11. Courtney F says:

    Kudos to you! You look great!

  12. Jaime says:

    You are SO awesome! I think if I had a blank canvas I would thank my legs for running, arms for hugging, eyes for seeing my beautiful family, hands for holding my Hubby’s hand, and my heart for loving the Lord, family, and friends! Great question!!

  13. Jess says:

    This is a beautiful post and you look awesome!

  14. Becky says:

    You are amazing, Tina! I love this post. Your confidence and wisdom radiates from that smile, too! For what it’s worth, you do look absolutely gorgeous and glowingly happy – but I know that’s not the point of the post, just saying is all…;-). This blog just gets better and better (and better and better and better…)!

    • Tina says:

      Thanks, Becky!!!

      And how are YOU and the little man doing? 🙂

      • Becky says:

        We are absolutely soaking up every moment with this little guy! I’ve never known love and happiness quite like this. It’s WORK, but the best work I’ve ever done. Worth every stretch mark and a zillion more, haha!

  15. Love this post! I’m finding that more and more I look forward to reading your posts everyday at lunch — not only are they positive and honest — but they always give me something worth reflecting on for the afternoon! 🙂

  16. Sandra says:

    You have a baby in your belly AND you can do cool stuff like put writing on part of your boyd via technological computer magic! You should love yourself! And you’re beautiful on the outside, but clearly on the inside too.
    Very clever and inspiring post!

  17. Monica Upshall says:

    Love this post Tina!

  18. Julia says:

    So uplifting! And a great reminder first thing in the morning! You are beautiful!

  19. This is amazing. So inspiring and uplifting. Thanks for posting it! 🙂

  20. just wanna let u know u are amazing
    amazingly beautiful, amazingly inspiring, amazingly spreading the gift of kind words and inner beauty.

    <3 keep it up!

  21. Tina, I just LOVE you! Seriously, I just want to hug you and sit down for coffee and just learn “your ways” HA! You are such an inspiration to finding beauty all around us- especially in ourselves, which can often be hard to do.

    You are RADIANT!

    Something I would write on my “blank canvas” is my smile allows me to show outwardly what I’m feeling inward:)

  22. Heather says:

    go you! you look awesome! Love it!

  23. I think you are great! Just so you know! For me, I want to write strong. I feel like it has taken me a long time to get to where I am today and I am happy with my place now.

  24. Girl, you are awesome. There is nothing more amazing than pregnancy – it is like a year long science experiment! Now granted, I haven’t been pregnant. But I think there is nothing more beautiful and incredible that a woman’s body can experience. THAT is power and strength. And YOU are a beautiful example of that! It inspires me take better care of my own body so that I can have that experience one day myself. 🙂

    • Tina says:

      Goodness, you’re going to get me all teary. Pregnancy is an amazing experience because you do learn SO much about yourself and your body. It can stink sometimes too, but on the whole it really is a miracle and blessing.

  25. Kim says:

    I just came across the Exposed movement today and thought it was truly fantastic! I spent so many years abusing my body and not appreciating it that now it feels amazing to just accept it the way that it is.

    By the way, adorable bikini! I love yellow.

  26. What strength! Totally why we look up to you!

  27. I love love love that bikini picture with all the positve notes on it! It made me smile! What a great idea! : )

  28. There isn’t much else to say than this: you are so beautiful, so wonderful, so strong. I truly admire this movement and the support Michelle has received. As many say, this topic deserves discussion!

    Especially as I look back at my morning and realize that the bulk of my thoughts were focused on how my body is lacking. And here is this post, here you are and here are all of these other incredible women sharing their unique beauty.

    So now I’ve dusted myself off, started this hour, this moment anew and looking forward. Because darn are our bodies incredible! 🙂

  29. Oh, Tina. What an amazing post! You inspire people to love themselves more, and I can’t think of many things better in the world.

    Something I would write on my canvas would be my heart allows me to show compassion to other people who are struggling.

  30. Tina you are so beautiful and thanks for bringing this movement to my attention — I haven’t heard of it before.

    *I sent you a few questions* 🙂

  31. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tina Reale, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: exposed: Bloggers of the Day (chosen randomly from your comments) Newlywed, Newly Veg – Anna creates amazing meals… http://bit.ly/d2kudD […]

  32. Tina, you are so incredibly amazing and beautiful and inspirational!!!

  33. Dorry says:

    This really is so awesome and so inspiring in a world of photo-shopping and striving for perfection. Because the truth is that you are perfect just the way you are – created in the image of God and you are about to bring a new life into the world! Love your what you said about yourself and your body – and what really defines you has nothing to do with the outward appearance…but I love that you use your body in a physically active way to celebrate life with your family. xoxo

    • Tina says:

      “Love what you said about yourself and your body – and what really defines you has nothing to do with the outward appearance…but I love that you use your body in a physically active way to celebrate life with your family.”

      THIS is exactly how I try to view my body and myself every day. Thanks for putting it into words so eloquently.

  34. Awesome!! I love your confidence. You are inspiring.

  35. Cynthia says:

    You are so beautiful. I don’t think there is anything more beautiful (or feminine) than a pregnant woman! 🙂

  36. Hallie says:

    I would never have the guts (or…confidence?) to do an Exposed post, but I LOVE reading those who do. And…ditto what everyone said. I know you didn’t do this for compliments, but you are seriously so gorgeous and you seem to content with where you are in life. Love, love love.

  37. Sherry says:

    You are beautiful… I think it is wonderful when we just let our self be our self. I think it is wonderful when we just let our self be our self.
    My most cherished pictures of my kids are never the ones taken in the studio; it is always the ones where I caught them being themselves. Being beautiful in what they were doing. I have a favourite that I snapped camping of 3 very happy smores covered faces.

  38. Ahh you are so ballsy! I love it!!! Also, you are such a freaking gorgeous pregnant woman! Seriously. Good for you for doing this!

  39. Nic says:

    You look great! Healthy and happy 🙂

  40. Angela says:

    Tina, you are amazing!! I love this post and you are SO SO brave and honest – such an inspiration for other women, pregnant or not!

  41. Rachel says:

    Absolutely beautiful and healthy!!

  42. Meg says:

    You freakin rock. I really admire such confidence.

  43. Sami says:

    what an AWESOME idea for a post. it’s so cool how God intricately put us all together. 🙂 our bodies are amazing, simply put.

  44. You are so beautiful Tina! And brave! That takes courage- and I honestly teared up when I read the beautiful and powerful words that you put on your canvas.

  45. Lisa says:

    You are so beautiful! This is a such a powerful post!

  46. janetha g. says:

    Gorgeous, inspirational, confident, fabulous. Just a handful of words that came to mind. Thanks for doing this one!

  47. Gorgeous! Your confidence is so amazing.

  48. You really do look BEAUTIFUL. Love your confidence and you are actually glowing!

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