Before getting into tonight’s post, I need to let #68 - Julie @ Savvy Eats know she won the Physique 57 DVD giveaway! Email me with your shipping address details so I can get your info to Natasha and your workout headed your way. Congrats!

Last week while at the beach, I opened up about my initial body image struggles at hanging out in a bikini for the week. Through expressing those thoughts, I wizened up and felt immediately better. Thank you for your support, because I think having this blog has helped me approach post-vacation with a much healthier mindset.

I enjoyed my vacation. A lot. I did my very best to remain as balanced as possible and I believe I succeeded. I kept up regular activity. I chose healthier meal options for breakfasts, snacks, and most lunches. I didn’t take a “to heck with it, let me gorge myself” mentality like I would have done in the past. I pride myself on those accomplishments. Yes, accomplishments – because I believe we should all pride ourselves on every healthy decision we make for our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls as an accomplishment.

Typically I would return from vacation feeling down on myself. Telling myself that I should have tried harder. Or that I shouldn’t have had that extra margarita. Or that I could have managed some additional workouts this weekend after getting home. No matter how many healthy decisions I accomplished, if I didn’t do “perfectly” it wasn’t enough. In the past, I may have taken a downward spiral upon feeling somewhat bloated from my trip and think I have negated any and all previous progress. Today, however, I feel good. Great, even.

I enjoyed my vacation. End of story. I enjoyed my vacation. I expect that my dietary choices over the course of the trip did add up to slightly more than my body needed. But, who cares? It can come right back off with a week or two of my regular habits. I’m still healthy. I’m still able to work hard at the gym. And now I’m also able to have many fond memories and zero guilt from my time with family at the beach.

Healthy living endures. Healthy living doesn’t halt because of a week with my fair share of frozen yogurt. Healthy living doesn’t negate itself because I decided to live my life by experiencing a quality vacation, including dining out and chilling by the beach. My lifestyle, the fitness goals I hope to achieve, and my “happy place” where I feel best all occur over time.

As the good ole cliché saying goes - “it’s a marathon, not a sprint”. The fitness and health I have will last because I stay forged on a path of balanced living. A path that can stroll along the beach while eating some key lime pie and have the steady pace to watch a gorgeous sunrise along the way…while still ending up in the same destination – only happier and more fulfilled.

• What is one of your favorite cliché sayings because it’s just so true?
• How have you seen small, healthy decisions add up over time?

Wow, you guys! Thanks for the accolades on my Body After Baby progress I shared yesterday morning. You all rock! In fact, I want today’s post to focus on YOU and just how much you rock!

Last week, I shared a post where I wanted to put aside the stigma that declaring our strengths means cocky or self-absorbed. I wanted to declare my strengths out loud for the world my fabulous readers and show the freeing sensation of believing in ourselves. We should all have the option to shout our worth to the world! And so, I opened FFF as a platform for you to do just that. To share a photo and tell the world exactly why YOU are so awesome. I wanted to hear your strengths out loud! Let’s see them now…

Katy @ Katy Widrick

I am strong inside -- I believe that dreams do come true (with hard work!) and that good things happen to those who strive for greatness. I am strong outside -- I nurture my body and soul with daily workouts, sweat sessions and challenges, and I'm repaid by knowing that I can achieve anything. I am strong for others -- I love being a resource and a role model for people who are looking to find healthy sparks in their own lives. I am strong for myself -- for the woman I am, the mother I want to be someday and a citizen of the world.

Heather @ Heather’s Dish

I am beautiful just as I am, I am strong in body and spirit, I love and allow myself to be loved, I am truthful and honest, and I have been saved and loved by an almighty God.  I am Heather, nice to meet you!

Brooke @ B and the Boy!

I am a great baker. I have set myself to becoming a more healthy person for my son and myself, and discovered that I can stick to my goals and I LOVE IT! I am a good friend with a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a heart overflowing with love.

Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers

I am a good dog owner! It sounds silly, but when my husband and I decided to get a dog, I fully committed to exercising her regularly and giving her the love and attention she deserves. It's so easy to slack off on being a good pet owner because they'll never complain, but I take my responsibility as a dog owner very seriously and think that if Sadie could talk, she'd tell me I was the jam. 🙂

Brooke @ Smart, Strong, Sexy

I am adventurous. I am active. I am fun. I am silly. I am killer when it comes to organization. I love my family well.

Annette @ With A Side of Brownies

I have gone from couch potato to exercise enthusiast. I have introduced my family to a healthier lifestyle.  I started on the road to fitness by working out on the Wii using EA Sports Active game. I lost 15 pounds, gained muscle and am in the best shape of my life. I've since added going to the gym and am slowly working on becoming a runner.

Keren @ The Music Barr

I am a great teacher. I care about people. I always look on the positive side of things.
I am a loving wife. I am always learning new things.

Gina @ Running To The Kitchen

I am determined. In work, in my friendships, and in finding happiness for myself!

Dawn @ Blonde On A Mission

I am a great writer. I am incredibly flexible and have been able to do poses that none of my yoga instructors could. I love unconditionally and don’t have a hard time forgiving if I know the person is sincere. I have the ability to laugh at myself and to not take myself too seriously.

Jenn @ A Knack For Nutrition

I continually challenge myself to achieve fitness goals I once deemed impossible. This picture is of me right after I finished my first half-marathon in October 2010. I expect to have a similar photo the moment I cross the finish line of the Disney World Marathon in January 2012!

It turns out, I had a bit more interest than anticipated in this project. Each person should get the attention he/she deserves, so instead of overloading one post with a bunch of entries, I decided to share ten awesome #strengthsoutloud entries now and will continue with more in a future post. In fact, if the interest continues this could become a fun series on FFF – so keep those entries coming! Simply email a photo of yourself, a link to your blog if you have one, and a short description of your strengths and what makes you awesome. If you have already emailed me and were not in this post, I have you ready and raring to go for the next one.

Now go out and live your life with the belief that you have a LOT to offer this world. Say it loud. Say it proud. Share those strengths out loud!

If you would like to share this idea of declaring our strengths, use the hashtag #strengthsoutloud for Twitter, like on Facebook, create your own post on your blog, or send in your own entry! 🙂