I have battled weight issues my entire life.  I started dieting at the grand age of 8… That’s right, Weight Watchers at 8 years old.

When I was in my early 20’s my father’s mother decided to tell me that she could no longer be around me because my weight was killing her.  I was fat and an embarrassment to her.  (You need to know me to appreciate my reaction.)

In 2002 the person I was married to told me that I was fat and embarrassing to him, and that he wanted a divorce.

Some people are cruel.  Whether they mean to be or not, they are.

Yes, I have had some very cruel people in my life, but I don’t anymore.  I held my head up, thanked them for their role in my life, and changed course.  I am not above saying that looking and feeling fantastic isn’t AWESOME revenge.  But I also know that these people’s opinions don’t matter.

Mine does.  I look in the mirror and I am proud of how hard I work to maintain the health I have achieved.  I am not, nor have I ever been an embarrassment to those who love me, truly love me.

I know I just spent a few seconds talking about people who really don’t matter.  I am truly fortunate to have so many who do matter.  My parents have always given me love, support, caring, and understanding. My best friends where right there to help me pick up the pieces, set my head back on straight and not look back. In 2008 I met, and subsequently, married the love of my life, and he is amazing.

My loved ones are generous, loving, kind, real, supportive, and tough, but never cruel.

We can choose to be nicer to each other.  We can choose to be kind to ourselves.  And we need to in order to heal and have the strength to take care of ourselves and each other.

Today I charge you to find two people who loves you unconditionally, and thank them… One of them should be the person in the mirror.  Your other task is to encourage one person in their journey, let them know how proud you are of positive life choices.

Encourage each other, spread the love.