In case last weeks post didn’t emphasize it enough

I’ve done something I’ve never done before: I posted a bathing suit pic on social media.

It’s kind of a copout because I used Instagram filters to make me look less white.

But either way I did it!

I told you all about a month ago I would review the Body by Vi again. I was on point with it for a solid two weeks. I lost the weight I had gained when I started my new job, my skin cleared up, and I was eating less.

This photo is not the outcome of that diet.

Don’t get me wrong, I am still doing the Vi diet because I do like what it does for my skin and it’s easier to maintain my weight. But this photo was taken during day three of drinking (fourth of July weekend-don’t judge me), in the midst of ordering pizza, and after eating fancy cheese with exotic wheat thin flavors.

I have a before pic ready to post with the Vi diet, and I was prepping for the after.

Then fun happened and I got off track.

I realized waiting to post an after pic wouldn’t of been a true representation of my outcome. I would of done the diet fairly strictly then I probably would of taken a morning pic and adjusted the lighting to make the after pic look more in my favor. Only then returning to my usual non-strict diet routine.

Instead, this pic above is a far better representation of my daily life.

I still drink, order pizza, workout, sit in front of a desk all day, eat cookies.

The list goes on.

This pic isn’t the outcome of diet or self discipline, it’s the outcome of being confident. I would of never posted a suit pic a year ago and I was in much better shape then.

I can’t emphasize enough to love the body you have. Treat it how you would want to be treated. Me personally, I want to drink and dance my not-so-little ass off. So that’s how I’ll treat my body.

And when I want to eat pizza, I’ll eat pizza.

And when I want to do 100 squats-you guessed it-I’ll do 100 squats.

In the end, do what you need to do for self love!

Oh my God!
Super cheesy post, I know!
But it’s so true!

In case you’re confused who I am, I’m the one on the left with goofy glasses and laughing. My arms and blotches on my back (don’t wear lace in direct sunlight) are the only indication I am Italian, while the rest of my body is from the Finnish bloodline.

Embrace the summer, the fun times, and don’t be hard on yourself. It’s okay to drink, order pizza, and post bathing suit pics of you and your amazing friends on Instagram.

In the words of Christina – because you’re beautiful

Due to some major life changes, I recently moved back in with my mom

I’m 28 years old.

With this major life change comes additional roommates: my brother and sister.

They’re 17 years old.

And yes they are twins (that always seems to be the immediate follow-up question).

Not only do I feel old when I try to explain to my little sister the area code rule through song she can’t make reference to, but now weight is the number one topic of choice.

Constantly being surrounded by two women (occasionally three when you add in my older sister’s visits) conversation inevitably turns into confessions of eating cookies and Doritos while passionately grabbing an area of our bodies with both hands and looking angry. (My area is the outer thigh.)

I forgot how toxic it is to be around other women. We’re constantly criticizing ourselves and (even worse) each other on our flaws.

And I’m guilty of even using the term flaws to describe my outer thighs. It’s negative connotation only reinforces my need to be self conscious.

The fact is, my outer thigh is my outer thigh. As much as I hate it, it’s my body and I love my body. This need for us to find “flaws” in ourselves is mind boggling to me.

I earned the little definition I put into my body. True I could put more work, but who the fuck cares? Really? As cheesy as this sounds, your body is your temple, love it, embrace it, grab parts of it passionately and be proud of it.

No angry face this time.

I work out because it makes me feel better at the end of the day. Not because I want to lose weight.

My point is, instead of being around the women you love and have superficial conversations about what you want to improve, look at yourself and really embrace the body you have. Tell yourself what your proud of. Tell them what to be proud of and you MAKE them take that compliment.

Both of my sisters have amazing legs I would kill for, shoulders of athletes, and thin ankles (I don’t want to talk about that one).

Think positively of your body. You’re the only one with it. Every dimple, every scar, every “pooch” is yours and yours only. And that’s what makes you beautiful.

And Kudos to anyone who picked up the Ludacris and Nate Dogg reference.

Til next time friends.