This was my lunch today. Yep. Doritos and a Dr. Pepper.

A week ago you might’ve seen me with water and a salad, or leftovers from dinner the night before. But not today. And you probably won’t catch me doing that after today, either.

I’m not saying eat junk 24/7.

What I’m saying is give yourself GRACE.

A couple weeks ago I quit drinking soda. I lasted 4 days. Then I said I was going to give up sweets. I lasted 3 days. I stared at the mirror all too long and cursed myself for not having self control & not being healthier.

I had a baby 5 months ago. And another one 2.5 years ago. To think my body would look like it did in college is, quite frankly, stupid.

So, I’m not going to say no to a cookie.

I’m not going to choose asparagus when I really want bread.

I’m not going to stress over what my belly looks like anymore.

I’m going to love my kids, love what I eat, and love myself through the process.

I want to be the best example I can be for my daughter. I want to teach her to love herself and that she is enough the way she is. God created her in His image & He makes no mistakes.

Of course, I will teach her how to make healthy and smart choices and to be active, too.

BUT there can be a balance. All things in moderation, right?

I’ve realized the last thing I want to do is preach one thing to her & then do the opposite myself.

I don’t want her to grow up hating numbers on a scale and spending much too long focusing on herself in the mirror.

I don’t want to be the reason she finds insecurities within herself. I don’t want her to look back and realize a negative body image stigma came from me - her mother.

I’m going to teach her to love herself. I’m going to do my best to teach her to be happy & how that comes from within.

And I’ll always tell her to take the chance and eat the dang cookie.

This originally appeared on Facebook.