be bodypositive is an affirmation, call to action, and protest all in one, I was bullied as a child and adolescent and even in a work atmosphere as an adult for being too “fat” my struggle with weight has been a life long struggle, having been up to a 44” waist and over 270lbs at my heaviest. I had poured all of my extra time into how I ate and physical fitness, managing my weight down to 185lbs, and a 32” waist. To maintain this I would bike no less than 36 miles a day and do yoga up to 10 classes a week. Even then when I looked in the mirror I was sure, I was too fat still or could loose more weight. Even though friends would say you have gotten too skinny. Even the athletic director at one of my gyms would be like you are done you should go home and let your body rest, after I clearly had been at the gym for 4 or 5 hours straight doing yoga and lifting and cardio. All of this came to an end with a violent cab meets bike accident. Needless to say I was the bike, I sustained a spinal cord injury, and could not even lift a 5lb weight with my left hand. Loosing all strength on my left side and gaining extreme shooting paints and numbness as well. I gained no less than 50lbs, eventually I realized the pain and numbness was never going to be completely healed. I found my way back to the gym, this time with new perspective, I do yoga for the calm and balance. I ride my bike for the fresh air and not for the burn or the distance. I lift weights for the strength not the tone. I have not lost most of the weight I gained after my accident. I have lost the self hate for my body, I have lost the need to shave my body hair. I do not live every moment at the gym anymore. I still go, not to be skinny, instead to add balance and energy to my life. The lesson, is love yourself first, you only have one body, and our genes do not dictate all of us to be skinny and perfect. We are all perfect just the way we are! Love yourself first, and then the world will love you back! If you read this far, thank you, just know you are beautiful! be bodypositive!