My issue with "Loving yourself"

I'm glad that the dark clouds of societal body standards are finally going away slowly but surely, and the skies are getting clearer for those who will never, ever be…ehem…skinny or ripped. People are starting to wake up from their delusional dreams of achieving a fashion magazine cover physique and a lot of organizations here and there are fully supporting a healthier body image.

Photo Credit: sarascoggins.buzznet.com

"Love Yourself"-a line that is commonly used in all paraphernalia that promote body and size acceptance. It's an advice that's so powerful that it has affected (in a positive way) the way people look at their bodies-it's like a 'detox juice' to whatever magazine or billboard that shoves an unattainable body image junk down our throats.

"Love Yourself." From being a powerful advice, it has become an excuse-this is where the problem comes in. I have a lot of Facebook friends-most of them I personally know-who are clearly not in shape and downright unhealthy, and yet they have the gall to repost photos saying "Love Yourself". What are they telling themselves and the rest of the world? That even if you're unhealthy and you can't run half a mile without dying at every step, that's okay because you love yourself anyway? Something's not right in here.

Now before you tell me I'm being judgmental and I criticize fat, unhealthy people, and I have no idea of their situation, let me tell you that I was once obese, a walking blob at 156lbs-in short, I've been there, guys. Hey, I loved myself, all my curves, all my layers, and accepted the fact that I was destined to be that all my life. That, plus my family is hefty on fat genes. I accepted all these seemingly inalienable truths because I 'loved' myself. And then I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without panting like a dog, I was experiencing breathing problems, and my knees were starting to hurt and go 'poof' whenever I walk. But it was okay because I loved myself anyway.

Now can you honestly tell me, based on my story, if I really loved myself then?

To love yourself is to not only accept the body that you have, but to take care of it as well. Accept it, but don't abuse it. EXERCISE. Choose the right exercise for your body type and physical capabilities-if you don't buy the idea of exercising for vanity, then exercise for your health instead. (That way, you won't have an excuse to sit in the couch all day) Work with it, not against it. Eat healthy. Say no to an extra slice of cheesecake. Sleep properly. Quit your vices. Adopt a winner's mindset.-you can't just do one of these because they all go hand in hand.

To love ourselves deeply and completely is by embracing our body and taking care of our health in the best way possible. Even if you're skinny, lean, chubby, curvaceous, or muscular, it is absolutely important to be healthy-this is what I want to point out in here.

Please, let us not skew the real meaning of "Love Yourself." And please, don't tell me you love yourself if your cholesterol levels are off the charts.