Thanksgiving is a great time of year to reflect on all the things we’re grateful for in our lives, and it’s also the perfect season to express a little gratitude for your body, too.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are a few improvements I wouldn’t mind making to my body. But I find that the more you can focus on the positive, the easier it is to stick with healthy habits that help you look good and, more importantly, feel good!
Here are four reasons to be more thankful for your body today:
1. Your legs are powerful enough to walk, cycle or run wherever you wish to go
While you may be judging the size of your thighs in the mirror, there’s someone else out there who is struggling just to walk around the block. Don’t forget to keep a little cellulite in perspective—it’s not such a terrible thing (almost everyone has it), and it certainly shouldn’t ever stop you from enjoying life to the fullest.
2. Your arms are strong enough to carry the things you love most
Whether it’s your daughter, grandson or your pup, your arms have the strength needed to scoop up and hug the things you hold most dear.
3. Your core muscles are capable enough to allow you to sit, twist and reach anytime you want
As anyone who has had a C-section or major abdominal surgery can attest, our abs assist us more than we realize on a daily basis. While striving for a six-pack might be your ultimate goal, don’t forget to appreciate all that your abs do for you all day long, too.
4. Your heart is beating, and your lungs keep you breathing
Did you know that you take an average of 23,000 breaths per day? Or that your heart will beat over 3 billion times in your lifetime? When you take a moment to think about all the constant processes that are occurring in your body at any given moment to keep you alive and well, it’s really quite astounding. Your body is an incredible machine that needs your compassion, love and care.
No matter where you are in your weight-loss and wellness journey, remember that we don’t truly know what we have until it’s gone. Don’t wait until you are faced with a serious illness or injury to appreciate all of the amazing things your body does for you on a daily basis. Let’s be grateful for our bodies just as they are today, not just as we wish they would be tomorrow.
