In a heartfelt Facebook post, newscaster Laura Jensen encourages women to embrace their bodies rather than criticize them. How often have you revisited an old snapshot and thought, “Wow, I looked amazing”? Yet, shortly after, you might recall your initial reaction, filled with self-doubt—disliking your weight, tiredness, or other perceived flaws.
We tend to scrutinize ourselves so harshly that we distort our own perception. Laura, who anchors at a local Iowa station, recently stumbled upon an old image of herself and had a moment of reflection. “When I first saw this picture, I felt dismayed. Thoughts like ‘Look at my cellulite! My thighs are enormous! Stretch marks!’ flooded my mind,” she shared. “Two years later and a few extra pounds up the scale, I’m questioning why I held onto that negativity for so long. Why do so many of us feel this way?”
A Poignant Question
It’s a poignant question. A popular saying resonates here: “I wish I was as heavy as the first time I thought I was heavy.” It’s a reminder that we often fail to appreciate our looks as they are in the moment. Now, at 40, Laura finds herself weighing more than ever, and when she looks back at photos from her 20s and 30s, she wonders why she didn’t cherish those moments. “I’m sure that in another 20 years, I’ll look back at pictures of myself now and see a vibrant, happy woman. So why can’t I see that today?”
Sharing Her Journey
Recently, Laura shared a compelling essay on body acceptance titled “Embrace Your Swimsuit.” This essay resonated with many, including a friend who confided her struggles with body image. “She said she often turned down invitations to the pool because of her insecurities, but this year she was determined to enjoy herself,” Laura recounted. “I thought to myself, ‘Are you kidding me? You’re gorgeous!’”
This mindset is something many women carry, even those who seem to have it all together. Laura noted, “At work, I frequently hear colleagues lamenting about their bodies—‘Oh my gosh, my thighs!’ or ‘Look at these wrinkles!’—from some of the most accomplished women I know. Why do we do this?”
Fostering a Positive Environment
To combat this negativity, Laura decided to actively monitor her thoughts and speech. “I want to foster a positive environment not just for myself but for my son too. I want him to grow up valuing people for their hearts and minds, not their looks—starting with how I talk about myself.”
She concluded with a reminder that it’s not about appearances but about how we feel. “To borrow a phrase from a yoga instructor I recently had, ‘What matters is how it feels, not how it looks.’” She encouraged everyone to feel good about themselves and to get into that swimsuit, no matter what.
Additional Resources
For more insights on body positivity and self-acceptance, check out this informative piece on home insemination kits and explore resources on infertility that can provide additional support.
Conclusion
In summary, Laura Jensen’s message emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the need to change our inner dialogue about body image. By embracing our bodies as they are, we can foster a healthier environment for ourselves and those around us.