Average Jane’s Letter To Her Body

Have you been following BlogHer’s Letter To My Body initiative? I’m finding people’s thoughts about body image fascinating. Here’s my letter:

Dear Body,

We’ve had a good run so far, and although I haven’t always treated you as well as I might have, I feel as though I’m starting to get a handle on how you work best.

I’m especially sorry about the whole caffeine thing – you tried to tell me to quit, but I ignored you until neither one of us could take the suffering anymore. At least I figured out how much you enjoy yogurt and fruit for breakfast. Do I get any points for that?

I’ve been trying to make a habit of other things you like: yoga, massages, chiropractor visits, and flat-soled shoes. I haven’t made you wear pantyhose in a really long time. I know I wore high-heeled shoes twice last week, but I swear we’ll take care of the aftermath in yoga class this week.

Don’t take it personally when I’m a little dismayed at the measurement of my waist and thighs. I’m well aware that my DNA is responsible for that. I know my mother blamed hers on pregnancy, but as the child-free control group in my genetic line, I can disprove that theory once and for all.

I’m not even really worried how I look carrying these extra pounds – I just don’t want to have to buy bigger jeans, because I’m cheap that way.

Genetics are responsible for quite a few of the things about you that I might be inclined to complain about, but because they weren’t really surprises, it seems counterproductive to worry about them. You won’t find me "correcting" anything that was part of the standard package – well, except for the terrible eyesight I got from my dad.

I know you could use more exercise, but as we’re both averse to spending time outside in the cold, it’ll just have to wait until spring. There’s a 5k and a 13-miler that I’d like to do this year, but I promise to train you beforehand. In the meantime, I’ll do my best to get back to three yoga classes per week.

Now that I’m getting older, I must apologize for the times I was lax with sunscreen earlier. If I could go back in time, I’d tell my younger self to put sunscreen on her hands every time she went outside.

I appreciate that you always bounce back despite the hours and hours I spend hunched over a computer keyboard or slouched in front of the TV. I’ll keep working on culling things from my diet that you don’t like and adding the things you do.

Thanks for everything so far,

Average Jane