I’ve always had legs, but I haven’t always loved them. In fact, I would have to say that for most of my life I haven’t even really paid attention to the fact that they’re there. Years of my life were spent walking mile after mile thanks to my legs. My legs helped me to ride bikes, roller skate, pump myself up into the air on the swings and much more. I pretty much took them for granted and ignored them until they were in pain and then I impatiently gave them a rest until it was time to use them again.

As a waitress I walked countless miles to and from the customer’s table and the kitchen. In my youth I spent many hours burning them in the sun. Over the past 20 something years I’ve cut them with dull razorblades repeatedly and either slathered them with chemicals to fry off the hair or allowed someone else to cover them with hot wax to rip it off. Never once did I look at them and say, “thanks for being there for me, I love you.” This week was different.

I’ve been talking a lot about the importance of being grateful for your body lately and I took my own lesson to heart. I was laying in a hot tub with epsom salt after 2 grueling hours of roller derby practice. Everything ached. I had just eaten a meal so my stomach was a little fuller and rounder than usual. My most common reaction to seeing my protruding belly is to suck it in, worry about it, obsess on it, vow to do sit-ups or allow any number of thoughts to race through my mind that signify and reinforce my unhappiness with it. I decided right then to switch up the pace and to focus on a part of my body that I loved. It was my legs.

You see, despite the aches and pains I was nursing in the tub that night, I experience great joy from roller skating and pushing my physical limits. The 2-hours of skating I just completed was 120 minutes of exhilaration, challenge and fun all of which I could not have experienced were it not for my wonderful legs. Oh sure, I have cellulite, stretch marks and even some spider veins and you know what else? I have thighs of steel! These legs of mine can skate. These legs can take me some fun and amazing places.

Just when I was beginning to flood with positive feelings about my legs and all they had done for me in just a couple of hours, I began to think of the years of dancing, gymnastics, swimming, hiking, walking and numerous other activities that all bring me joy and that would not be possible without my wonderful legs. Not only that, I’ve never had a serious injury in my legs, knees, feet or toes. Even some of my younger teammates battle with things like knee problems, ankle problems and serious blisters on their feet. I am fortunate enough to say those issues don’t plague me today and thank goodness for that!

By the time I thought of all these reasons to love my legs I was downright teary eyed and filled with joy. I forgot completely about my round belly and in some ways, I felt like a kid again…only with a few more aches and pains.

I plan to love my legs a lot more often from now on and I’m looking forward to the many years of adventure we will experience together from here on out.

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