Have You Hugged Your Body Today?

on October 20, 2010
in All Posts, Fat Talk Free

It’s National Love Your Body Day.   Hug it out!

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Love Your Body Day is part of Fat Talk Free Week (Operation Beautiful is a featured organization). 

 

Nicole and I celebrated Love Your Body Day by getting up early to go on a 3.5 mile run.  My worth is definitely not determined by how fast or far I run, but I appreciate my mobility so much.  There are lots of things I often take for granted about my body, but today, I am thankful for the little things… moving, seeing, touching, eating, laughing, kissing, lovin’…  Our bodies are wonderful machines!

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Sometimes, I get caught up in my dark under eye circles or my other “flaws” that marketers have convinced me that I have.  Running the Operation Beautiful site doesn’t make me immune to these negative messages, although it has certainly improved my outlook and reaction.  I think it’s so important to consciously correct yourself if you catch yourself Fat Talking about your body.  I usually think, “You know what, Caitlin? You’re not perfect but you aren’t suppose to be.  You’re human!”  I replace the negative thought with a positive but realistic thought.  And then I write an Operation Beautiful note for a stranger.  :)  It really helps.

 

Pre-run snack was toast:

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Post-run breakfast was pumpkin oatmeal:

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In the mix:

 

  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin
  • Chia seeds
  • Topping: brown sugar

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I leave you with my favorite Brendan James song, which is very appropriate for today!

 

My favorite lyrics:

 

Stop the seasons drifting by
Stop believing there’s no time
Stop your heart from closing off
I think you deserve it all
Love your future, love your past
Love your body, it’s all you have
Love your secrets bottled up
But love them more when you give them up.

{ 86 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat October 20, 2010, 8:30 am

    I loove Brendan James! Hadn’t heard this song yet but I think I like it almost as much as The Fall. Thanks for an amazing message to start the day! 🙂

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels October 20, 2010, 8:30 am

    Under eye circles are my achilles heel too actually. Every time I go out with no makeup on people ask me if I’m really tired or sick. I’ve gotten better over the years at not caring as much. But I could sure use an extra reminder . . . thanks 🙂

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 8:32 am

      Yea – whenever I leave the house without cover-up, people say “Are you tired?” It’s kind of embarrassing and it does hurt my confidence because I feel like I *have* to wear cover-up in public. I’m trying to move beyond this by posting lots of no-make-up photos of my blog. 🙂

      • Amy October 20, 2010, 8:44 am

        I deal with the same thing! It’s frustrating but I’m working on not caring as much. It always surprises me when I see no-makeup pictures of myself, though, because my undereye circles are never as bad as I think they look. I bet the same is true for you too!

        • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 8:46 am

          You’re right – we’re always our worst critic. Something else to remember for Love Your Body Day!

      • Morgan @ Life After Bagels October 20, 2010, 8:46 am

        Caitlin that’s SUCH a good point I should have mentioned. Photographing myself on such a regular point has been a HUGE confidence booster for my appearance! Having to look at so many photos of myself for the blog has made me appreciate the parts of myself that I’m not super keen on and made me even MORE proud of the things I already love about myself (like my awesome shoulders that I train hard to maintain.)

        • Jenny October 20, 2010, 9:07 am

          I have the circles also, instead of asking if I’m tired, people always ask if I’ve been crying. And I have sinus problems and constantly am stuffy, which doesn’t help my case. My mom is the worst with this, you think she’d know by now! There isn’t a much worse buzzkill than someone assuming you’re sad all the time. Alas, I just have to smile more 🙂

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine October 20, 2010, 8:30 am

    I just bought the Brendan James CD on iTunes the other day…love it!! Happy hug day 🙂

  • maria @ Chasing the Now October 20, 2010, 8:31 am

    I love it! Awesome post. There’s a great Bruno Mars song called “Just The Way You Are” that I’ve been listening to lately and it reminds me that I don’t need to be perfect because my husband loves me the way I am.

  • tina October 20, 2010, 8:31 am

    omg, i totally needed this today!!!!

    thanks, caitlin! 🙂

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday October 20, 2010, 8:32 am

    I love the Fat Talk Free Week… I’m trying my best not to Fat Talk.

    I’m hugging myself right now too!

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun October 20, 2010, 8:33 am

    I’m trying to love my body today by not griping about the pain and discomfort of this pregnancy. I don’t feel down on how I look much these days but I do struggle with feeling down on not feeling like myself with my normal energy, upbeat attitude, etc that the pregnancy drains me of. I just gave my belly a rub…I guess that’s the body hug I needed today. 🙂

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 8:34 am

      AWWWWWWWWW! 🙂 I love it. Belly hugs!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite October 20, 2010, 8:34 am

    Great post! Hugging my body now 🙂

  • Nicole - yuppie yogini October 20, 2010, 8:35 am

    Love the self-hug pics! Yay for <3 your body day!!

  • Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) October 20, 2010, 8:38 am

    the profile name on my ghetto cell phone right now is “redefine worth.” i’m trying to re-define how i see myself and my value. instead of gteting caught up in my extra weight, my frizzy hair, my inperfections, i want to put my worth in the amazing things my body can do… i’m gonna hug it right now.

  • Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up October 20, 2010, 8:39 am

    I would like to thank you and Kath for introducing me to Brendan James! LOVE his music!

  • HTP Dad October 20, 2010, 8:40 am

    Dark circles under YOUR eyes mean you’re not sleeping enough.
    I know.

    xoxo

    Dad

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 8:41 am

      I went to bed at 9:30 PM and woke up at 5:30 today!!! Does that count?

      • HTP Dad October 20, 2010, 9:14 am

        point taken – if that’s a normal night, I withdraw my comment.

  • Amy October 20, 2010, 8:47 am

    I love Love Your Body day! I’m loving my body today by dressing cute, eating delicious healthy foods, and having chocolate cake for dessert. 🙂

    I really appreciate how hard you work to end fat talk, Caitlin. It’s inspiring!

  • Becky October 20, 2010, 8:50 am

    Love this post. I did yoga yesterday which I think is a full-body hug in the form of self-affirming exercise. I think I’ll do more again today. Thanks for the boost this morning. 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) October 20, 2010, 8:52 am

    Learning to love and accept yourself is the hardest thing to do…why is that? No one is perfect. I have two little boys and they do it too, which I did not really know that boys have body image issues too. I am really working with them on being positive when it comes to themselves. Although I do think a little bit of conscienceness is acceptable.

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete October 20, 2010, 8:54 am

    I am still learning to love myself: I do what you do though, I immediately follow those negative thoughts with a positive one — I wish I could say it “works” every time, but it seems to lessen the blow. I think with time I will get better and better at it.

  • Tami October 20, 2010, 8:58 am

    where are you getting this bread that you keep eating. i have been trying to make all our bread for the next few months, I have found some good ones but those slices you keep showing us make me drool.

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 9:05 am

      it’s from a bakery called le rea. they sell it our at grocery stores (harris teeter).

  • carole October 20, 2010, 9:02 am

    Hey Caitlin..how do we get one of the cool t shirts you had on your twitter contest???? Love the last one about making my butt look fat!
    Have a great day!

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 9:06 am

      we are trying to figure that out – i will let you guys know soon!!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit October 20, 2010, 9:03 am

    Love it- I didn’t know it was love your body day!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman October 20, 2010, 9:05 am

    To be honest, I’m kind of on bad terms with my body. It’s been pissing me off a lot lately. Can one give their own body the silent treatment? I might try. 😉

    • eatmovelove October 20, 2010, 9:16 am

      Double, no triple, ditto. I won’t go into it – it only creates a negative vibe…and we don’t need that ;).

      But I think I’ll save my hug for another day 😉

      On another note – do you ever get sick of oatmeal LOL?! 🙂

    • Wei-Wei October 20, 2010, 10:13 am

      Ahhh, don’t worry. It’ll sort itself out – you’ll find the cause for everything soon! Meanwhile, learn to love your body and all that it already has done for you. :] Hugsss!

  • Jenn @ LiveWellFitNow October 20, 2010, 9:06 am

    I love hug your body day! I might just make a giant sign and go hang out in the streets of Boston to give out hugs. Always wanted to do that…

    Well, today is all about the self love and the self hugs. I’ll spread it everywhere! 😉

  • Jes (@ Self Motivation) October 20, 2010, 9:07 am

    I love hug your body day! Thank you!

  • Rachel October 20, 2010, 9:22 am

    Very positive post for the morning!!

  • Amanda (Eating Up) October 20, 2010, 9:32 am

    Wanted to let you know about some Sweet Valley news! Go here: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20435286,00.html

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 9:36 am

      i am totally buying that book.

    • LindseyAnn October 20, 2010, 12:50 pm

      I saw that, too! I’m so excited!
      If you go to the book’s website, there’s an excerpt. I’ve read it twice already. 🙂

  • Orla October 20, 2010, 9:33 am

    I have spent so many years disliking my body- wishing it was smaller etc (wanted to be a jockey when I was younger but was constantly told I was too big)
    Took a couple of years to get over it but I am strong, healthy (most of the time_ darned endo!!!) and I am happy. I was given this body for a reason and I would not be who I am if I was some “body” else ( if that makes sense! )
    Great post. Will be showing this and spreading this message to my younger cousins.
    right – i must go. I have a hugging date with my body!!
    🙂

  • Alyson October 20, 2010, 9:34 am

    I read your tweet about your broken Garmin strap! (Sorry, I’m new to the world of twitter and don’t know how to “retweet” haha) The same thing happened to me and close to a race as well! If you cant fix it call the Garmin head office, they are the best at replacing anything on your watch. Good luck with the taper 🙂
    .. and now I’m going to go hug myself!

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 9:36 am

      Oh thanks! this is good to know!

  • Alison (Ali on the Run) October 20, 2010, 9:39 am

    Aw I love this post! Thanks for sharing!

  • Caroline October 20, 2010, 9:40 am

    Before you tweeted about today I looked in the mirror while rushing through the door, having forgotten that I skipped makeup earlier in favor of eating an earlier breakfast, and thought maybe I didn’t need makeup today. 🙂

  • Marina October 20, 2010, 9:41 am

    I’m trying to hug my body a lot lately 🙂 It’s going quite well, it’s amazing what a bit of nice self-talk can to do one’s confidence.
    I hug my body today ’cause it gets stronger with every session at the gym

  • kelsey @ un-american in france October 20, 2010, 9:42 am

    I was just looking at the “free on itunes” section and one of the songs offered for free this week is a brendan James song! he’s got such a talent!

  • Camille October 20, 2010, 9:54 am

    What a wonderful day!
    I am going to give my body and extra lot of love and hugs today!

  • JenRD October 20, 2010, 10:04 am

    My yoga instructor always finishes class by having us roll into a ball and hug our knees, telling us to hug ourselves “as if we were hugging a baby.” It is a great reminder!

  • Laura October 20, 2010, 10:08 am

    What a wonderful thought! I’ll be giving my body a huge hug today!

    Today is also the day to wear purple in memory of all the recent gay suicides that have been in the media. All those who wish to, show your support by donning something purple!

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life October 20, 2010, 10:11 am

    I love Fat Talk Free Week. It’s a great reminder that we need to treat ourselves well.

  • Reenie October 20, 2010, 10:14 am

    Hi Caitlin ~ I was wondering if you, or any of your readers, know of any hypoglycemic blogs.

    Thanx so much. Lorena

  • Nikki M. October 20, 2010, 10:23 am

    Great post! Just what I needed 🙂

  • Natalia - a side of simple October 20, 2010, 10:39 am

    Thanks for this post. It was the perfect pick me up and boost for how my week and mood has been. And that cute little spoon made me smile, too. 🙂

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life October 20, 2010, 10:40 am

    I would have never know it was national love your body day! I hope to pass on the word! : )

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life October 20, 2010, 11:08 am

    I’m definitely going to hug it out today! I have the day off from school and slept in because my body was tired and I have a cold. I woke up feeling guilty about it. Now I feel like I was really just seizing the opportunity to be able to listen to my body and I’m going to celebrate that! Thanks for the reminder to be kind to myself.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) October 20, 2010, 11:18 am

    Those lyrics are amazing!!! Love those:) Saw BRendan on Rachel Ray the other day, too.

  • Lacey @ Lake Life October 20, 2010, 11:21 am

    I think my boyfriend will find it highly amusing that he was born on “Love Your Body” day 😉

  • Dorry October 20, 2010, 11:28 am

    I think about the basics for my gratitude – everyday I have the gift of all 5 of my senses! Glad to know we think alike. It’s hard to focus on anything else when you take it that basic and realize how fortunate we are – like eating my oatmeal this morning and being able to taste it…the little things. 🙂

  • Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries October 20, 2010, 11:38 am

    Such a simple message, but one that we can forget so easily in the day-to-day stuff. Thanks for the reminder!

  • katie October 20, 2010, 11:51 am

    i love my body so much that i woke up with out the alarm and worked out in my apartment to avoid the rain. wooo Jillian Micheals

  • *Andrea* October 20, 2010, 11:53 am

    great post!!! no one is immune to the media’s messages. as long as you catch yourself and notice where the messages and stereotypes come from, you can then achieve better inner happiness : ) love the message! however, i think that because there is only one Caitlin you ARE perfect just the way you are, because no one is exactly like you! the notion of “perfect” being the models we see is just not right. we are all perfect in our own little ways

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 1:47 pm

      I agree!!! 🙂 so fun to think of it like that.

  • Deb October 20, 2010, 12:05 pm

    I had never heard of love your body day but I love that idea!

  • Carly October 20, 2010, 12:15 pm

    Thank you for this post. I have just recently started loving and respecting my body completely. I’m trying to get my mother to feel the same way but it’s taking some work. This is a great reminder. Thanks!I’ll be hugging my body now 🙂

  • Stacey October 20, 2010, 12:34 pm

    This day goes right along with the Happy Body post I did last week! 🙂

  • Jessica@tastyandtrim October 20, 2010, 12:36 pm

    Thanks for the confidence boost! It’s always nice to be reminded that we aren’t supposed to be perfect and should love our bodies for what they are! Hatin’ on your body isn’t going to change it. We all have our differences and they are what make us all unique and beautiful in our own ways 🙂

  • Amber K October 20, 2010, 12:39 pm

    I’m giving my body a good hug right now. Okay, so I’m not because then I couldn’t type. But I will!

  • Halie October 20, 2010, 12:42 pm

    Thank you for reminding me to love my body! I had a baby 6 months ago (today!) and I don’t fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans yet. My first instinct is to fat talk and hate my body. But I have so many reasons to love my body! This body is able to nourish my son, this body produces more nourishment than my son even needs! I need to take care of this body to take care of my son. I work full time, I’m a full time wife and mother, so I don’t always get to get out and run near as much as I’d like. But I need to STOP stressing about that! My body has changed, I can’t let the change I don’t like negate all the good that my body does! I’m hugging my baby and my body!

  • Teresa @ Teresa Tastes & Travels October 20, 2010, 12:45 pm

    One really cool thing we miss from our time spent in El Salvador was how people would talk openly and frequently about their blessings. These were people who, compared to our lifestyles here in the United States, were relatively poor and hungry. Yet they were so keenly aware of that which so many of us forget…that they are blessed to be alive, happy, with family and friends, etc. Thanks for this post. I have so much to be happy about. And even though I can’t physically do the things I used to love, I can enjoy the baby steps to recovery. It’s too easy to lose sight of that. So thanks again! *hugging self*

  • Lisa October 20, 2010, 1:24 pm

    I haven’t hugged my body today but I AM feeling pretty damn good about myself. My story appeared in FIRST magazine (and I’m on the cover too!) and the new weight lifting routine I’ve been doing for the last 6 weeks has made major changes! So excited!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss October 20, 2010, 1:29 pm

    It’s so true- we all try to be perfect, but we’re only human..we’re meant to be “flawed”. As ugly a word that sounds, they’re are what make us beautiful!

  • Sana October 20, 2010, 2:47 pm

    Your beautiful smile makes up for any circle issues you may be having!

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous October 20, 2010, 4:02 pm

    Hug it out, ha! Well I’m about to go for a run, so I’ll make sure to give my body an extra big squeeze while I stretch 🙂

  • Carlee October 20, 2010, 5:32 pm

    I had pumpkin oatmeal this morning to ! we matchy matchy!;)
    I just hugged myself! lol

  • Jen October 20, 2010, 5:46 pm

    Thanks so much! What a great post and love the song! Funny I read about you in Marie Claire but I love your site so much that now I am a follower! 🙂 I think your operation smile is amazing!

  • kate October 20, 2010, 8:43 pm

    I need to get in Brendan James! Blasting him now!

  • Nicole October 20, 2010, 8:49 pm

    I’m sure you’ve heard this already but..I’ve never heard any of Brendan James’ music but he reminds me of David Gray. Good stuff!

  • Jacalyn October 20, 2010, 9:25 pm

    I wish there was a way to set your website to remind me to check it every day. It really is a highlight of my day. I find myself feeling icky after being on my feet all day at the hospital and come home and lay down on the couch cuz I am so darn tired and feel grody and lazy. (Even though I got up at 4am to run 6 miles). Then, I get up and go to my laptop and start checking email. Tonight I thought, “crap! You haven’t gone to healthy tipping point in a couple days!” I read your post and instantly feel better about myself. My thoughts of going on a super strict low cal diet vanish and I go to bed happy. Thank you for your positivity. How to set a reminder every day to read your blog? I guess I could always make it my home page, right?

    • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 9:27 pm

      what a truly sweet comment 🙂 thank you so much.

  • Sarah October 20, 2010, 9:59 pm

    Without even knowing today was “Love Your Body Day” I found myself with a much needed confidence boost. Confidence and high self-esteem have rarely shown their faces in my life. Today, I did something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the confidence to: I wore leggings as pants, with a shirt that didn’t cover up my hips. It may seem like no big deal, but I never liked my hips/butt. My ensemble was complete with a cute top and jewelry and I felt so confident! I think every day should be Love Your Body Day. After all, it’s the only thing that keeps working day after day, and it works for YOU.

  • Dodo October 21, 2010, 2:09 am

    Great reminder! Hug your body out!

  • nanabea October 25, 2010, 5:52 am

    I just did !!

  • Lauren November 28, 2012, 2:49 pm

    This is awesome. National Love Your Body day should probably be every day, right?! It is so important to be thankful for all of the amazing things our bodies can do, regardless of the “imperfections” we believe we have and small setbacks we face. Thanks for reminding me of that!

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