Live in the body you deserve

Ever since I was a little kid I had cellulite on my thighs.

I found a picture of myself when I was 9 years old, cute as a button in a little pelican bathing suit with googly eyes and a detachable fish that tucked into the pelican’s mouth. In that photo, I had cellulite.

Thirty something years later...

I notice it in my reflection in spin class.

I see it through my yoga pants.

I see it in the mirror before I hop into the shower.

I'm in the post-birth best shape of my life, and with almost 40 pounds of weight loss over the years my thighs look exactly the same: smaller, yes, but still dimpled and unsmooth.

Here are some facts about your dimples:

1. Cellulite is caused by fibrous bands that attach the connective tissue to the skin, causing a pull or indentation to appear on the surface of the skin.

2. In women, the fat cells and connective tissue run vertically but in men, the tissue has a criss-cross structure, which makes them less likely to have cellulite (lucky bastards).

3. 90% of women have cellulite, even women who are skinny and fit.

4. Those creams and laser treatments do not work unless you are surgically cutting the strands that cause the indentation.

Now, there is the kind of cellulite that appears with lymphatic build-up, lack of movement, endocrine system back up and overfilled fat cells. If this is the type of cellulite you have, then you will see great results from drinking more water, increased movement, eating healthier and dropping some weight.

But as an avid exerciser, health nut, and at my goal weight, I can accept that my dimples are here to stay.

Okay, so here’s the honest truth. After a life-long battle, and a lot of inner work, I now have the solution to my cellulite.

I love it. I love the shit out of it.

How do you ask?! How is it possible for me to love my dimply thighs when society has so clearly deemed this “situation” one of the ugliest things a woman could have on her body?

I love it because it’s not going anywhere. I love it because it’s part of me.

I love it because I decided to make peace with my body and stop fighting against my natural form.

I love it because I have worked so hard to get where I am, both physically and mentally, and my body is a beautiful reflection of that work and self-care.

Lastly, I love it because once I strip away the stigma we have given it, I know that it's just connective tissue attaching to my skin in a way that pulls to cause indentations...

...and there must be some alternative Universe where dimples are sexy and women buy weird contraptions and creams to try to create more thigh indentations. And in that Universe, I am Queen.

So below is my love letter to my cellulite. In sharing this, I challenge you to take your most hated body part and write it a love letter.

Set yourself free and watch your body start to work for you, not against you. Need more help? Dive deeper in my book, Feed Your Soul: Lose Weight Permanently and Live Fulfilled. It will be the best $12 you ever put toward your health.

*And ladies, one more thang: if you are rocking the cellulite too and are worried what other people are thinking, let me remind you that no one cares, especially men (or other women), who are just dying to see you naked in any capacity.

Dearest Dimples,

First off, I owe you a huge apology. I’ve hated you for so many years that I’ve let myself overlook all the strength and beauty that I hold within. So basically, I’m sorry for being a huge bitch.

I recognize that you happen to be on the legs that carry me through life, supporting me and allowing me freedom in my body.

I recognize that you are just a little different from the rest of the skin on my body protecting me, and keeping me healthy and strong.

From now on, I am going to love you, praise you, and accept you for exactly what you are: a perfect part of an imperfectly perfect being.

Thanks for giving me baby makin’ thighs, and a little extra storage for winter.

Love you,
Me