Some things are just not fair!

- The supermodel I saw on Ellen. She had a baby then went back to modelling bikinis three months later.

- The thin hips, flat stomach, thin cellulite free thighs .... these used to be mine. When I was a teenager. When I was too young, too insecure, too occupied with everything that sucked about life to appreciate them. To love them! 

- So many women, beautiful women, lack body confidence. Didn't even Beyonce admit she feels insecure about her body?

- Accomplishing amazing feats of strength: pregnancy, labour, childbirth, has left me with extra skin on my stomach, breasts that will never be the same, stretchmarks and a few extra pounds. And that instead of focusing on the amazing feats of strength, I am cringing at the battle marks.

- So of course, its all not fair because I care.

Or rather, I usually care. But there are several hours in my week when I actually don't care. I honestly don't care how thin my thighs are or whether anyone else can see the little bulge beneath my belly button. There are a few hours each week when I actually consciously marvel at how strong my thighs are, how amazing it is that my stomach is holding me upright. It didn't always use to be this way - in fact just about 6 months ago it wasn't this way. This was when totally exhausted, short of breath, feeling like I was going to die I went out on my first run. I wasn't marvelling at my body's strength then I was just surviving. But I have stuck at it. Channelled my stubbornness into a good cause, giving back to myself. And now I am totally addicted. To running. And somewhere along the line - without trying - by just being totally committed to how good it feels to use my body I lost all of my baby weight... and a little bit more.

But it's not really the weight loss that is so motivating. It is stretching my sore legs after a run, or being in the middle of a sprint, and just suddenly becoming conscious of how amazing the human body is. My body let me grow and birth two remarkable children. Think of it! Think of how strong you are just to make it through childbirth! And now my body lets me cover amazing distances each week. And soon, because I am hoping to race my first half-marathon this October, it will take me across the finish line. 

I still don't love my body all the time. I could do without the stretch marks and extra skin on my belly. Or could I? Because I couldn't do without my daughter. I could do without the extra fat at my thighs. Or could I?Because I couldn't do without the opportunity to chase my son and his wild giggle.

My top running tips:

- Don't roll your eyes when someone says they are "addicted to running." I did, and look at me now!

- Join a running club or class. They provide instruction, tips, sometimes a free t-shirt and the best thing of all, peer pressure.

- Don't give up after your first few runs. Give yourself a chance to really see if you like it or not.

- If you gave yourself a chance and you really hate it, give it up. Move on so you can find your thing. Cause you do have a thing. Some thing that makes you feel awesome, strong, and totally confident.

- Invest in a jogging stroller. They are so handy when you need to fit a run in (but note the negative: no excuse when your super chatty pre-schooler asks to come with you, though you were kinda hoping for some quiet time).