I don't think I have ever met a woman who has always loved her body. I'm not even setting the bar at "a woman who has never once had a negative thought about her body," because even the most confident among us have bad moments, days, or even months. I know many women who love their bodies conditionally; they're pleased with themselves until neither the numbers on the scale nor on the tag of their jeans conforms to their ideal. I know some women who liked their bodies well enough once upon a time, when they were younger, but loathe every age-related change they see when they look down or in the mirror. I know some women who have, through introspection and concerted effort, come to love and accept their bodies. But I can honestly say I cannot recall a single woman who has, from birth to now, consistently loved herself. That isn't stopping me from hoping that my children will defy the odds and adore and honor their bodies as much as I adore them, but I'm aware of what an unlikely goal that is to reach.
My relationship with my body is a work in progress. I am continually balancing my sincerely held belief that "all bodies are good bodies" with my insecurity, my confidence, and love of my body with my desire to change x, y, and z. But my kids don't know that, and it's important to me to stick to the positives when I am around them. I don't want them to ever hear me bemoaning my appearance or demurring compliments. Because I believe that my son and especially my daughter will benefit tremendously by having a confident mom who loves her body. (Most of the time they do, other times it's "fake it til you make it," which doesn't get enough credit as a lifestyle choice, in my humble opinion.) The effort, I think, will be well worth it for the following reasons...