You can read the full article above, but basically a blogger criticized this cheerleader for her looks, and called her "too chunky" to be a cheerleader. And the blogger was a woman!! I am very disturbed that woman are still being judged more on their looks than their personality and character.
Ladies, don't let others define you by your looks, but be judged on your character. I have received a lot of criticism for my looks over the years. First, I was teased as a child when at the time, I probably was 10 lbs. overweight. I was judged as not being girly enough because I enjoyed sports and doing atypical activities. As a teenager, I was sexually harassed, but back then that term didn't exist. I grew a backbone and told the guys off, but at the same time I let it bother me. I also received teasing for my weight and at that time I was 25 lbs. overweight. "Double Double chin chin and wide load" were a few of the names they called me. Yes you could call it bullying to a degree, but you know what? I don't blame anyone but myself. I could have been assertive and told the guys to buzz off. I let others get to me, and define who I was. I was an intelligent, athletic kid, but let others define me and it affected choices I made which who knows? Maybe I could have done better than today, but again I don't blame anyone but myself.
People will always make criticisms, opinions, judgments, and you can't control that. You can only control how you react to it. And the worst criticisms and judgments are the ones you make to yourself. If you believe you are beautiful or ugly based on your appearance, that is your problem. There are some things you can change, some that you cannot, but it is your choice as to how much value you put on appearance.
I've never been vain, and even with all the people criticizing my looks, as I got older, I have decided that I don't care what people say. I went through years of pain and negativity that I could have avoided if I thought that in the first place.
I dress up when I want to, I put on makeup when I feel like it. I don't do it because people tell me too. You don't know how many times I've heard, "If you dress up and be more girly, and flaunt it, you'll find a man." Well frankly, why would I want those kinds of men, that are more attracted to my outer appearance than who I am inside?
I am flabby but fit. I have extra skin from my weight loss journey, and yes, I could have surgery, but my extra skin doesn't define who I am. I care more about being defined by my athleticism, my heart, and how I treat others and my overall character, not by my appearance. Yes I fall into social norms and I dress up for a wedding or special event, but in general I know I can be beautiful in shorts and a t-shirt or in a gown, because my beauty comes from within.
You can talk down to yourself for your appearance or embrace who you are right now. For me, my weight loss journey was to avoid heartache of Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and a poor quality of life, NOT looks. I consider outer appearance as a bi-product to health and fitness.
For that cheerleader being criticized, I hope she doesn't let her opinion of herself be affected by that horrible excuse of a woman that judged her looks.
Folks, be sure to treat yourself with respect. When I look in the mirror, I am happy with myself. I still have health and fitness goals, but I am more concerned with improvement of strength and overall health, not what I look like. If people want to judge me and my training skills on my looks, then so be it. I'm certainly not going to have surgery for skin, to get a leg up in the training business. I want to help clients be fit and healthy individuals that feel good about themselves no matter what they look like. If people expect me to train them to a "perfect" looking body, they need to take their business elsewhere. I will guide and assist people towards a better life. And today, no matter what weight, size, health and fitness level, you ARE beautiful! Yes, we can make lifestyle changes, but treating yourself well and liking yourself has nothing to do with outer appearance. Remember, there are a lot of physically beautiful women that are miserable inside. I rather be flabby, fit, healthy and happy, then miserable and skinny!
I have to say, I'd be happy to show that blogger my flabby, fit skills in the boxing ring! But then again, that woman seems to be a self-centered, insecure person, who needs to learn what's truly important in life. And ladies, health and fitness is by far more important than looks!!
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