Today, I want to talk about body image.

My main goals, by the time that you are done reading this, are to establish that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, that health needs to be the No. 1 priority, and to understand that if you don’t love your body, who will?

I was very fortunate that I grew up in a country and family with a “what you see is what you get” attitude. All the beaches were topless and many of them were nude beaches. Nothing left to the imagination. However, I also grew up knowing that no one is “perfect.” It makes it easier to accept your own body for what God and your family heritage gave you. I have to say it was challenging growing up as a very muscular girl. None of the clothes would fit me because my shoulders were too wide or my quads were too muscular. By the time a pair of jeans would fit me in the legs, they were two times too big in the waist. Fortunately, fashion has accommodated different shapes and sizes over the years.

This past week, I heard a great saying from an unknown author: “Work out because you love your body not because you hate it.” I love that statement. Unfortunately, in America, body images are still based on the “perfect” model/magazine bodies. When I came to the U.S. in 1988, I absolutely knew I was muscular, actually I still was competing at that time, but within just a few months, I was told my nose is very big and my breasts are very small. This I knew, but it was never a “big deal” in the Netherlands (no pun intended!). Fortunately, I am very comfortable with my big nose (always one side open when I have a cold!) and the same with my breasts. I had big ones when I was breast feeding and they moved too much for my active lifestyle. I can understand that people have augmentations when they do not feel comfortable in their own skin, but beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Your main priority should be health. Not just your physical health but also your mental and spiritual health. I always ask “who decides what is beautiful and what is not?” In Europe’s Golden Age, around 1400AD, paintings from this era shows women who would be considered very much overweight in today’s standards to be the epitome of beauty. Even in the late 1800s and early 1900s, voluptuous women were considered very beautiful. And I agree — they weren’t only beautiful, they typically were healthier and were able to survive child birth better. So do we need to change back to the Golden Ages? Not exactly, but I would love to see our society change the “one size fits all” mentality. And, how can there be a size 0? Due to exercise, hard work and a pretty healthy diet, I have been at the same weight since I was 16 years old, a little heavier when I was body building due to the muscles. I have pants that I bought 20 years ago and are a size 6. They still fit me today but somehow in today’s sizing, I have become anywhere from a 2 to a size 4! The market gears towards what we “want” and if we want smaller sizes we get it whether your body changes or not.

I love the Kellogg’s commercial when they stand on the scale and it shows “satisfaction,” “confidence,” “pizzazz,” or “courage.” Don’t get me wrong — the scale is a great tool to help you stay focused, but it should not take over your life.

Women and men alike get very discouraged when they don’t see the number on the scale they were hoping for. Even if you notice positive changes in your clothing, when that darn scale isn’t moving or moving fast enough, it can ruin your day.

Be true to yourself. If you are 5 feet tall and have wide hips, a short waist, and narrow shoulders, you are not going to get taller or longer waisted. However, with a weight building program, you can make your shoulders more muscular which would make them appear as though they are wider. I always ask the people I work with or talk to how long it took them to get overweight or out of shape. Typically, they will answer “forever” or 10 or more years. My answer for that is “Then give it some time to get back in shape.” I have seen amazing transformations in a year’s time with many people. One of our Hurley Warrior Track and Field parents just hit her 60-pound mark. As she would tell you, it’s not easy and it is a lot of work. But, I have seen an amazing transformation — not only in her appearance, but also her mobility, stamina and confidence. I am super proud of her.

As I mentioned in the last two weeks’ columns, you need to take charge and put forth the effort. Set reasonable goals and look at your body type. Put health first and truly see the beauty within you. How can others see the beauty if you don’t see it yourself? No matter what age you are!

You are worth it!

Ester Marsh Associate Executive Director JF Hurley YMCA