After this morning’s post where I “exposed” myself, full on with a pregnancy bikini shot, I got to thinking about confidence. The other day, while waiting in line for the restroom at the gym, I overheard a conversation between two women. It appears they were speaking of a friend’s recent weight loss and having a bit of a disagreement. Basically one complained about her friend thinking life was all of a sudden so much better and acting happier just because she lost weight. The other kind of nodded along, but then said something along the lines of “she does look good though, so she should feel good too”.

I couldn’t get that conversation out of my head. Or the fact that after group fitness classes end at our gym the lines to pee are WAY too long, but that’s neither here nor there. Anyways...I feel these women’s viewpoints boiled down into the following:

• Healthier will NOT suddenly make you happier with less problems.
• Healthier can make someone more confident and, therefore, happier.

In essence, I agree with both women. Taking better care of our health will not solve everything. Life still abounds with disappointments and struggles. Being happy with your body does not make you immune to them. In some cases, it can even produce more discontentment when someone believes that solving a weight issue or achieving a dream body will make him/her happy…and it doesn’t. But, but…I wear a size 2 now so I should feel fabulous and be so happy with my life! What’s wrong with me???

On the reverse side of that statement, confidence sharpens an individual. It fosters belief in one’s self and that can lead to good things. I do believe that when people care for themselves by feeding their bodies well and finding activities they enjoy, it can help them feel stronger and more capable in general. I think the qualities involved in taking care of one’s health (determined, diligent, mindful, etc) are qualities that can positively influence a life in ways outside of physical health.

For me personally, I know I do feel more confident and overall happier when I put effort into healthy living. I feel strong when I achieve fitness goals. I enjoy putting energy into activities I love. I I have more energy to experience life by eating nutritiously. So, in my mind, more confidence does come with reaching a “fitter” self but only because of what it brings to the person as a whole. It’s not the outward appearance. It’s the love for self and the desire to treat a body well. I think it shows naiveté to believe improved health will make you feel better about everything in life, but I also believe its ignorant to deny that achieving a healthy body can improve life too.

• What do you think? Do you think improved confidence naturally comes with improved health? Do you think its dangerous to associate being “fitter” with more confidence?
• Does your healthy lifestyle play a role in your confidence? How?
• Something to do? Ask me anything by CLICKING HERE. I hope to do a Q&A series in November. I have a few interesting ones already and would love to hear what else you have to ask. 🙂

Bloggers of the Day (chosen randomly from your comments)

• Newlywed, Newly Veg – Anna creates amazing meals and shares gorgeous photography. Look, how pretty! Plus, she’s such a sweetheart!
• Kris Tastes – Krista is another great cook and photographer, plus a runner. I want to make BOTH of these recipes.
• Frontyard Foodie – Diana has a gorgeous newborn baby boy and already is whipping upthings in the kitchen, like pumpkin butter and pickled peppers.

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!

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…

…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.

• 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.