"I came to realize that there is no such thing as perfect and if I love myself the way I am it’s a lot easier than fighting all the negativity."
SundayGirl of the week, Liz Gardner shares some of her life with us.
Sunday: How have you struggled in the past to appreciate or love your body and how have you overcome that struggle?
Liz: I have always been “big boned.” I remember as a kid I looked like a full woman when all my friends were stick figures. I struggled with it for as long as I can remember. I used to see the Victoria secret models in my mom’s magazines and think that’s how I was supposed to look.
I went through a lot of struggles in high school when boys started becoming interesting to me, but none of them liked me. It was hard, and I still struggle a little bit but being in the beauty industry has helped me because I work with so many women and even the most beautiful have insecurities. I came to realize that there is no such thing as perfect and if I love myself the way I am it’s a lot easier than fighting all the negativity.
Sunday: What do you love most about your body?
Liz: I love my shape, I love that I’m curvy now, and I love my stretch marks because when I see them I think of my kids. They will be with me long after my kids move out and grow up.
Sunday: What message do you have for other women who struggle to appreciate and love their bodies?
Liz: Instead of naming all the things you want to change start naming all the things you don’t want to change - the list will be longer!
Sunday: Why do you support SMV?
Liz: Because it supports me and it’s real!