I truly thought she had lost it.
She linked to a post where she had in fact exposed herself. And she linked to other women who had done it too! I ignored the email and pretended not to see it, never bringing it up in future conversations.
Like the blog stalker I am, I clicked multiple times on that original message, in awe at the fact that so many women were standing up to all of society to say...
I AM NOT PERFECT BUT I
LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM.
LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM.
And now, here I was being challenged to expose myself.
I struggled with putting up a picture of myself clothes-less on the blog. I am proud of how far I've come but what about all the imperfections that I attempt to hide with clothes?
And I struggle with the fact that 2 years ago, I wouldn't even have the courage to look in the mirror at myself let alone take a picture of it. And given a chance to see someone else who weighed any significant amount less them me standing there EXPOSED would further confirm all the insecurities I had about myself.
But last night I realized something. This challenge is not about what is actually in the picture. No, it is not about what others think I look like in the picture. It is the concept behind what the picture stands for. It stands for...
- allowing myself to be vulnerable.
- acknowledging that my body, has helped me to accomplish so much.
- being proud of my body, imperfections and all.
- proving to the world, I will not hide behind my clothes.
Are you ready to expose yourself? Even if you don't do it publicly via a blog, take time to stand in front of a mirror and look at your body and recognize what it helps you do!
And, leave a comment telling about why you love your body.
Posts
72 comments:
You look great! I'll ask my husband how he feels about me exposing myself. ;) If he's okay with it, I might give it a shot.
You look amazing! I always say that I don't need a scale to know how much weight I need to lose, I just need to stand in front of a full-length mirror naked. Congrats on your exposure. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it over and over again, "you are an inspiration."
Thank you so much for joining the Exposed Movement. I am so glad that you've joined all of the other men and women who have done it!
~M
You look great Jen and you are an inspiration!
You look SO good! Teeny tiny you are!
I am way impressed at your ab definition.
whistle whistle....
you are beautiful Jen!
You have done something I don't think I could do. I had enough trouble wearing a one piece bathing suit this summer, but I'm working on it!
You inspire me everyday!
OH my goodness, Jen! I am so proud of you for exposing yourself and taking a real honest look at your true body - not the flaws but the gift you have been given!! Very inspirational!
You look incredible!
so brave and beautiful! that takes guts girl and I love teh writing on teh photo to remind you why you are beautiful!
Thanks for sharing with us! You look phenomenal!
Jen,
You are brave. And through that bravery, you help others to see it is okay to be exposed. Be real. And love our body for what it is - a magnificent vessel that is so, so much more than just what we see on the outside. Beautifully done! And so good to see more people joining in on this...
Go Jen! Woo hoo!
You look great - I don't think I could ever take this step - but I'm so proud of you for doing it!
See you tonight!
I've missed so much on your blog lately due to taking care of sickos in my house, but I am glad to have caught up!!!
You look amazing! What courage you have for doing that!!! I hope one day to be able to do the same. :) You are a true inspiration.
You look great! I love the exposed concept and have been following it. Every time I see someone do it I am in awe.
We all need to stand back and appreciate what we do have instead of what we do not.
Way to go!!! Keep on inspiring :)
You look fabulous Jenn!
I followed as many links as I could find checking out all the bloggers who "exposed" the ways they love their bodies during & after their journeys.
So worth the time because it is very inspirational!
Jen, you are a beautiful woman. Before I even saw the picture I knew it. Your body looks great, it's your mind that still "weighs" you down at times. Your Mom is and always will be proud of you. As your Dad is everyday. As we all are. One day I'll be where you are and can only hope that I too can help change so many other people's perspective on food. You look GREAT! And are such a strong woman!
I feel so proud for you. Amazing! Thank you sincerely for sharing :) This is why you are making a difference, your honesty. It is so much easier to relate to someone who is "real"
You look amazing Sis...And No...I will not be exposing myself anytime soon. But I will tell you my favorite part of my body is my baby belly so that part will be gone in April and I will just have the aftermath :(
You look amazing!! I admire you for baring it all! That's just awesome!
Anyone on the journey to a healthier self or has accomplished their goal of weight loss should be proud to bare it no matter what size they are. You are doing something great, and something to be proud of!
You look AMAZING. No joke. But even better- you are BRAVE!
bloody hell girl you're STUNNING! And brave!!! I am trying and trying to get to be able to see my real bod in the mirror - all i see right now is hideous to me, jen that's so inspiring that you did this - gives me yet another challenge to aim for and be motivated by - you've done so much for me this year dear BFF!! love u heaps - keep on rockin sister xx
I am very proud of you! I have not had the courage to do this publically yet. You are amazing!
I think you look phenomenal. You are truly inspiring to me! What do I love about my body? The fact that it helped create, carried and nurtured two beautiful children. No matter how chunky I look, I am thankful to my body for that!
Congrats on having the courage to expose yourself.
you. are. fabulous.
seriously. you're amazing. you've helped me more than you know :)
You look great! I don't have a blog, but you've inspired me to take a picture anyway (but it will stay OFF the facebook, ha!) My body has been through the ringer with 4 kids and losing 75 pounds; I have saggy skin and strecth marks to boot...but I call them battle scars and they remind me of how strong my body is and what a miracle it is each morning for me to even wake up, let alone have birthed 4 children. My legs are out of proportion with everything else, but they work...and they connect me to the other women in my family, since we are all "doomed" to carry our weight in our behind and down. :) Great post, Jen!
Jennifer Jennifer Jennifer! You look amazing, You have worked so hard for where you are at! You are such an inspiration to me I just cant tell you enough how much you inspire me! Thank you for posting that picture BRAVO woman BRAVO!!!
Your friend Beth Clear
Jen!
Wow, you (and all the other bloggers who have completed this exposed challenge) are SO brave! I definitely am not at the point in my journey where I could even conceive of taking a picture of myself clothes-less.
The fact that you have accepted this challenge is huge. It shows that your weight loss/fitness journey has not just been about your physical improvements but also about improvements mentally.
Congrats to you! You are one amazing woman. I aspire to be like you and hope that some day I have the confidence to complete this challenge.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Julia
jewliagoulia.blogspot.com
These days as the pounds creep (due to pregnancy) on I struggle with the idea of how this is NOT what I'm suppose to be doing on this journey, "seeing" the weight I worked so hard (20lbs) to lose come back has been a struggle, so when i feel like crying... I turn sideways and look at the growing baby belly and remind myself that the 20lbs I did lose are helping my body give this kiddo a healthier pregnancy than my 1st was. :) And then I run and hide. hahahaha!! Thank you for the reminder that are bodies do a lot more than just be a vessel of vanity. :)
Wow. You look great. I love how this exercise encourages you/us to look at ourselves and be thankful for what we see.
You never fail to inspire.
Thanks.
210 pound leg presses?!? Wow!!
Beautiful post.
Wow-girly you are awesome! You look fantastic-way to be brave!
What a great concept... When I was reading at first you scared me a little... I thought you meant like FULLY exposed... I don't even like to look at myself in the mirror let alone post a picture of me on a blog. You really are beautiful and brave! I would love to have your self confidence.
I have been taking a picture of myself as I change my body. The changes are subtle but the thing that is most revealing is the look on my face!
Check me out at www.successfulweightlossinthesuburbs.blogspot.com
You are one awesome blogger! Thanks for "exposing" yourself. It is inspiring.
Warmest Holiday Wishes,
Denise Burks
www.successfulweightlossinthesuburbs.blogspot.com
Hi Jen. I think you look great! You should be very happy with the way you look.
Bearfriend xx
You look so great! You are so brave and inspirational!
You look amazing!!
I am sure my husband will help me expose myself. I always seem to focus on the negative rather than the positive. That will change...right now!
You look amazing! And so brave! Good for you!!!
Bravo!
You are fearless.
Am I totally missing the point in that I don't want to do this until I reach goal? Probably.
But you truly are an inspiration to those ready to be inspired!
You are awesome!!!! I could never do that...well, not now anyway...maybe when I look like you!!!! LOL!!!! My husband recently found out my true weight...and I just started letting him see me sans clothes....!!!!! LOVE reading your blog...such an inspiration!!!! :)
Welcome to the club ~ you are beautiful and inspiring ♥
You look amazing!!!!!Your a brave woman to let everyone see you in your swimsuit. I know I couldn't do it.I got your card and yes ribs for sure next summer!!!
Love Melissa
Your arms are fabulous!
Your curvy waist is so sexy!
I couldn't do this because of my job, but I think I will take one and keep it just for me.!
I find this incredibly inspiring and moving! Bravo to you!
You look awesome Jen! All I see is a strong woman who gets stronger every day.
I was thinking about you, and about how sad this holiday will be without your Momma - hope you can cling onto the good memories!
Hugs!
Hi Jen! I love your blog!!!! I too, am a prior fat girl. I started my journey at 301, and I currently weigh in at 144.2. I applaud you for exposing yourself :-) My husband would never go for it, so I can't....but you rock!!!
Hi Jen! I love your blog!!!! I too, am a prior fat girl. I started my journey at 301, and I currently weigh in at 144.2. I applaud you for exposing yourself :-) My husband would never go for it, so I can't....but you rock!!!
beautiful!
You look amazing and I applaud you for your courage and confidence to "expose" yourself.
I started reading your blog after you were featured on That's Fit. Reading about your journey has been inspiring especially considering that in the midst of losing weight you also lost your dear mother.
With that said, I am still at the beginning of my journey but I look at (expose) myself in the mirror on a regular basis. I have determined that no matter what my body looks like-circle, dimpled, rolled, stretchmarked, etc. I love it because every inch and pound is me.
You look great-I don't see that excess skin your niece was playing with? haha.
I am jealous. You are so gorgeous!
Proud of you!!!! ;-) You look (and are) amazing. So glad to have you join us!!!!!!!
You look great! This is so awesome. I hope I can do something like this one day.
Jen you look fantastic and I am amazed at your courage!
Jen,
First of all I want to say WOW!!!!!!!!! You look amamzing. I mean it! Really, really mean it. I think what you've done is so important. It isn't about perfection is about progress and you show that progress both physically, mentally, and emotionally by posting your exposed picture. You have inspired me to do the same . I think we ALL , as women compare ourselves to other women, especially those we see in the media. It is so refreshing to see a REAL woman who has the courage to celebrate it! I am truely impressed!!!!!!! Thanks again for the inpiration!!!!!
You look great and I love the positive comments you wrote about your body on the picture!! Very, very brave indeed!! I wouldn't be able to do something like this.
I had to come out of lurk mode to share how inspirational this is. you look really great. thank you.
I'm proud of you Jen, as always.
I read your blog religiously and am so inspired by you....but not yet ready for exposure of my own :)....I have way more than 100 pounds to lose so perhaps next year this time...........
Happy Holidays.
Lolly
Props to you! This takes a lot of bravery! And you look...wonderful! Truly, you should be VERY proud!
Great blog, I look forward to following!
aw, you're such a brave gem!
you look great. clothed and unclothed! i mean that in the most unsexified way.
smooooch.
thank you for being so brave...you look beautiful!
Thank you for doing this, I took much encouragement from it, because you lost about the same amount of weight I am trying to lose, and I have been so afraid that I would have horribly saggy skin when I got done, but I look at your body and I do not see that, I see a normal, healthy looking body, it gives me hope!
Now, I could never put a picture of myself in undies on a blog, even if my body was perfect! But you may someday see a picture of me in Tankini or something like that on my blog... after I lose the weight!
wow, I am impressed, your abs are ripped and look about right to me...you don't look like you need to lose anymore and you look healthy and fit. I hope I look that good at goal.
very brave.
way to go!! this was part of a 30 day challenge i am doing. I have to look at myself and say only good things about my body for 1 minute
You look great!! I cant wait until the day I can "expose" myself!
That takes courage! You are so brave! You look wonderful! You're my inspiration! I hope to be as brave as you once I lose some weight. We'll see! Take care.
I thinks its awesome what you have done. Celebrate how far you've come.
I would be pretty ecstatic to look like you do now!
Rock on!!!
I read your blog all the time and think you are fantastic, I have lost a lot a weight in the last year as well. I went from 178 to 139! I love reading your blog and thinking I feel the same way. YOu are so beautiful! And be proud of your spokin hot bod
You look fantastic, I think you have a great body Jen.
I have just found your blog from Katie's post and I am enjoying reading it :)
Wow! I am so inspired by your courage and strength. You look amazing! This and the excess skin post have been phenomenal (well they all are..but those two are my favorite so far). I dont even have full length mirrors in my house right now but I am going to do exposed shots like these when I reach goal. I have about 120 lbs to lose, but I know I will get there and you have helped so much already! Thank you--Rebekah
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