Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 marked the one year anniversary of a little post called
Exposed over at
Eating Journey. At the time, I was relatively new to blogging and the
Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and really didn't give the post much thought. In fact, I don't even know if I was really aware of it. However, my twitter community was abuzz with talk of the
anniversary of this post. Tweets flew back and forth between myself, Brooke,
Kirsten,
Karena, Beki,
Thea, Melissa,
Lisa, Jen, ... I don't even know who all was tweeting at this point. All I knew was, I was seriously contemplating putting my bits and pieces out there for the world to see. OMG, could I actually do that? I've posted
before/after pictures before, but with slightly more clothing! Now, I never had any intention of nekkid pictures - I'm not THAT brave - but a bra and panties? The whole point of Exposed and the reason SO MANY women and men have joined the
Exposed Movement was to stop hating our bodies and start celebrating them!
Nobody or no BODY is perfect. Not even the Victoria's Secret cover models have perfect bodies. They have airbrushing and photoshop. Our bodies tell a story. Maybe you have a few scars. Maybe your dog bit you and you've always seen the scar that no one else ever notices. Maybe you've given birth to a baby or two. Maybe you have freckles that you say you hate but you secretly love because they really are cute. Maybe you've lost almost 30 pounds and you have 5 or 10 pounds of extra skin hanging around and your girls have completely deflated. Maybe you've slacked on the strength training and even though you are lighter you aren't as toned as you were a couple months ago. No matter what "maybe" is you, that "maybe" makes you a beautiful person designed by God.
God doesn't make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. You are beautiful in HIS eyes and it's time you recognize your beauty for what it is. Real.
I love your post, Bari!! I am so proud of your gorgeous self! xoxo
ReplyDeleteBari, you are as gorgeous as ever! I'm so proud of you for doing this! You are one of the most "real" people I know. Those legs are going take a beating on Sunday, but ALL of you will be victorious. ((hugs)) my friend.
ReplyDeleteBari, so many things you highlighted are things I have thought of myself- the shoulders, the wrists, the arms, the legs- we truly ARE soul sisters. I big puffy heart YOU, too.
ReplyDeleteYou and this post are amazing. I'm so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Your sentiments are so, so spot on. I secretly love freckles, too -- I only have a few, but my husband and 6yo are peppered with them and I find it beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBari - what a beautiful post from a purely beautiful woman! You are simply amazing! I'm so proud of you for doing this! And thank you for reminding me that God doesn't make mistakes. I think we could all stand to remembe that a little more often.
ReplyDeleteLove you lady!
Take a beating but keep on bending, LOL!
ReplyDeleteBari, you look SMOKIN' HOT in your bikini! I am so proud of you for doing this!!
I love your post Bari! You highlighted so many amazing things. You are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing, you should be so proud of yourself! Show that hard work and great body off, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful! I love this post and how well it's written. How "God doesn't make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. You are beautiful in HIS eyes and it's time you recognize your beauty for what it is. Real." Love you!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo Bari! {whistles} You are looking WONDERFUL! Congratulations, superstar! Beau-teee-full!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the swimsuit! So MUCH. And you? Look amazing in it! WOW! I'm so proud of you, Bari. Your body has moved and changed so much over the past year. YOU are about to run a 1/2 marathon. WOW. Truly amazing, and I can't tell you how proud I am of the amazing woman YOU are.
ReplyDeleteMuch love!
Wow-o-wow, Bari! You look *awesome*!!! I loved your post today. So many wonderful things your body is doing and has done for you - amazing! Good luck with that 1/2 marathon on Sunday; you'll rock it!!!
ReplyDeleteyou are beautiful! such an inspiring post and i am so proud of you for doing this! good luck on sunday!
ReplyDeleteLove the notes about how each part is strong and succeeds instead of how it "looks" - SO much more important!
ReplyDeleteThank you for ALL your wonderful, awesome comments today. Ya'll are making me cry. I couldn't have done this without the support of all my sisters. I love you girls!
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful and I love this post! What you wrote touched me! Thank you!
ReplyDeletehttp://justthe6ofus.net/wordpress/?p=7093
Tears.... I love,
ReplyDelete"God doesn't make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. You are beautiful in HIS eyes and it's time you recognize your beauty for what it is. Real"
Such a truth that we often forget. You are beautiful and you inspire me so much. One day we HAVE TO run side by side together, rather than cyberspace together!
isn't the verse something to the effect of "i will praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made"? you are gorgeous and i'm proud to be able to call you a friend.
ReplyDeleteGo Bari!
ReplyDeleteI love this quorte "God doesn't make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. You are beautiful in HIS eyes and it's time you recognize your beauty for what it is." --> SO true!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining the Exposed movement! Good luck with your run :)
"God doesn't make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. You are beautiful in HIS eyes and it's time you recognize your beauty for what it is. Real."
ReplyDeleteThis? Spoke to me. In so many ways. Thank you. You are amazing. I'm proud to call you friend. :)
Love this post!! You are indeed a beautiful woman! So glad to call you my friend!! Love all your descriptions of what you have done!!
ReplyDelete