“I was nervous to take my cover-up off and to walk into the pool or walk on the beach. I still felt like that same 500-pound girl… then, it happened.

A couple sitting by the pool started laughing and pointing at me and making fun of me as soon as I took my cover-up off.”

“So what did I do? I took a deep breath, smiled and walked into the pool. That was a huge moment for me. I had changed.

I was not the same girl anymore. Yes I still have a lot of loose skin, I may still feel insecure at times, and yes I may still get made fun of.”

“To be honest, yes it bothered me. But I was not going to let people like that affect me anymore!

I am not going to let what other people think of me stop me from living my life.”

“They do not know me. They do not know how I have worked my ass off to lose 350 pounds. They do not know how I am recovering from major surgeries.

They have no right to sit and point and laugh at me. That’s why I smiled.”

“It does not matter what others say or if they try to doubt you or try to bring you down.

What matters is how you react to it. How you feel about yourself. Loving yourself just the way you are is hard.”

“Others might not like that. That’s ok. I hope you love yourself. Love your body. I hope you keep doing you, and just keep smiling!”

Strong, wise words from a strong and wise woman! Share if you agree!