Round Like the Letter C

At different times during my gradeschool years, I was teased relentlessly about my big butt. (Jason White, you better hope that we don't ever meet up in a dark alley. You're toast.) It wasn't until 9th grade or so that I got my first compliment about it. And it totally took me by surprise. And then it took another handful of years before I finally believed that those kinds of comments were sincere and not meant to mock. Fast forward another handful of years (ok, maybe a couple of handfuls of years by now), and I've realized that - like with my naturally curly hair - there are 2 camps of people: those who dig it, and those who do not. And you know what? I no longer have any interest in listening to those in the latter category. I've learned to embrace this butt I pack around with me. Heck, it's probably the reason why I'm good at running hills. And now that I'm Running A Lot, I'm becoming fonder of my bootie back there. So you think it's not cute? Pffft! Shoo, be gone. I don't have time for you. I've got a hill to tackle.

I Have Thunder Thighs

(click on the image to view it larger and read the text)

Four years ago, Nike launched an ad campaign to show love for a woman's strong body. Not the kind of fitness ads we're used to seeing. These show muscle, not bones. Pride, not shame.

I'm going through a spell of not loving this body I've been given. It works perfectly well, but I've been sending myself less-than-ideal messages lately about the way it looks. But I'm running again. Running always makes me feel strong and fierce and proud. I may not be able to zip up a size 2, but I can pass you on an uphill. And a downhill, for that matter. And that fills me with pride, and at some point, pride will slowly turn to love.

I'll pull out a few more of these ads over the next handful of posts, so that you can read them all. They're just too feel-good not to share.