This past week I have had numerous conversations with members about believing in themselves.

We as trainers and instructors are trying everything to get you where you want to be. But as you know, YOU have to do it and you have to feel it!

Now what I have realized in my profession is that perfection is a goal so many people try to reach but never seem to achieve.

But what is perfection? What is the "perfect" body"?

When I was born and raised in the Netherlands it was different from when I came to the United States. I guess growing up in a country where beaches show everything "au naturel" there is not much for the imagination, but it was also a given that bodies come in lots of different shapes and sizes. No bathing suits or Spanx hiding ripples, dimples, sag.

I have seen health and beauty in many different shapes and sizes. It saddens me when I see beautiful people who just never seem to be happy with the way they look. It's never skinny enough. It's never tight enough, never small enough or never big enough, never long enough, too curly, too straight, too thin, too thick.

Anyone can look and find something not to like about themselves. But why not look at the things you do like about yourself?

Who decides what weight or shape or age is beautiful? Who decides that beauty and perfection is just the outside? I have met plenty of people who have physical beauty but when you get to know them their "beauty" fades away very quickly.

And then I also have met people who maybe don't have "typical" physical beauty.

(For women that's usually seen as skinny bodies, big non-sagging boobs, round butts, small waists, long wavy hair, big lips etc. For men, it's muscular bodies, thick hair, strong jaw lines, six-pack abs etc. Please remember this is what the magazines and society portray as being beautiful.)

But some of these people I've met have more beauty in "non-perfect" bodies than others have in so-called "perfect" bodies.

Start believing in yourself. Believe that health and beauty come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors.

I believe in you.

I believe that when you exercise regularly, eat sensibly, have regular check-ups, enjoy life, are nice to people, love your family and friends, you ARE beautiful.

So you have a "slip-up"—are you just going to beat yourself up for what could have been?

I believe in you—I believe that you CAN do it. All it takes is you believing in yourself. What is the choice you are making?

I believe in you.

Do you believe in yourself?

Ester Marsh is associate executive director of the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA. Contact her with health and fitness questions at 704-636-0111 or emarsh@rowanymca.com.

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