Here’s the skinny on the adjective SKINNY….and this actually isn’t to anyone in particular, more of a memo to all womenkind out there in our crazy beautiful universe, because after the 239487th time of hearing the term “sooo skinny” used among conversation, I needed to go on a mini vent sesh…

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Dear Skinny,

I see a 27 year old who’s sunken-in eyes are from pulling an all-nighter comforting a teething 14-month old, not from malnutrition. I see tiny, yet strong arms, who are all muscle from picking up a 25-pound barnacle all day long, every day. I hear “don’t you eat?!” while, in fact, I LOVE cooking AND eating & showcasing that here on my blog. Food, I love you & appreciate you! I see a height of 5’5″ & a weight that matches that frame. I see womanly curves, strong arms & legs. I see shoulder muscles I never even knew existed until the last few months from TIU, bootcamp, and Tanner. I see the body I’ve always known, but leaner. Stronger. More fit. I see an athlete. I see legs that carry me to reach new mile victories, one step, one day at a time. Behind the “oh my gosh you’re too tiny!” Implying I need a cheeseburger, lies a rock-hard stomach full of abs because I care about what goes into my body. I see your cheeseburger and raise you my turkey burger. Hold your fries, I’ll have my sweet potato. Oh wait, I have cheat meals too, but as a once-and-a-while treat. Not because I’m on a “diet”, because I don’t want to clog my arteries full of junk on a regular basis.

I see a body that TIU has given me – I see a body I have worked for – a body that I am proud of. I see a body that is FIT. Healthy. So, SKINNY….I see you and your definition – “very thin or too thin” & people who compare you to me…..I’m not you.

I may not be able to lift heavy weights, but I am strong. I don’t want to be a size zero. I don’t want to be a body builder. I just want to be ME. The best version of myself I can be, on a journey without judgement, criticism, or the notion that we’re supposed to look a certain way.

The next time you judge someone’s body – stop. You don’t know their journey – their goals – their plan. We’re ALL beautiful, and that comes from within. Thin – Thick – we’re women & we should EMPOWER one another, not judge. Imagine if using “skinny” derogatorily was used the other way around?

You need a cheeseburger. You need to put down the cheeseburgers. You look too thin. You look too fat. Do you eat? Clearly you eat too much...see what I mean?

Don’t try to tear other people down because they don’t fit your definition of beauty – of skinny – of strong – of overweight – of womanhood. 💗💗💗

Thank you, TIU community, for always loving ME and my “skinny strong” bod.