THE SECOND VERSION

Feeling beautiful from the inside out means that I live in a state of beauty.

Beauty is not something that you cover up your body with. Beauty is not something external. Beauty is internal. It begins from the inside and reflects that internal beauty to the outside.

It doesn't matter what you're wearing. It doesn't matter if you're having a bad hair day. It doesn't matter if you have makeup on or not. You are the beauty.

So, the second you open your eyes, the second you wake up, you exemplify that level of beauty. You vibrate on a beautiful level. You ooze beauty in everything that you do simply because you are that state of beauty.ion text goes here

This is a good question.

I used to think that beauty meant competition and that I had to look better than another person.

Beauty is true uniqueness and individuality and authenticity. Beauty comes from that state of knowing that your difference, your uniqueness, the way that you feel, the mood that you're in, and the level of contentment and satisfaction that you have with yourself shows up in how your beauty shows on the outside.

That's how my definition of beauty has changed.

I no longer compete with anybody else to see who does it the best. I do me the best.

When I am the best me, I am in the highest state of beauty.

Building muscle and beauty is everything because, one, your body carries you. In order for your body to carry you, you have to keep it in its strongest state.

If you want to stand up and walk, even something as overlooked as walking requires muscle. If you want to feel energized throughout your day, you need your muscles to be healthy and strong.

Muscle also allows you to be energetic and do the things you like to do, the things that make you the best you. And as we've discussed, when you're the best you, that's when you're the most beautiful.

And let's just keep it real: the toning of muscle looks absolutely beautiful on an aesthetic level as well.

Muscle represents life. It represents longevity. It allows you to partake in the things that make you happy and, therefore, make you beautiful.

That's what muscle has to do with beauty.

Being physically strong allows you to enjoy life, to go places, to do things and to be physically active.

And the more physically active you are, the better you feel, not only about yourself but about life.

Appearance comes from the outside and is temporary. Being physically strong comes from within and can last, as long as you continue to take care of it.

I listen to my body now and understand what it needs.

We know what our bodies need, but sometimes we overlook it or don't hear it because we don't think it's that serious. When I learned to slow down, really listen and take heed, I learned that I'm actually able to be my best self and enjoy life even more.

If I need to drink that water, drink the water. If I need some protein, eat the protein. If I need some fruit, eat the fruit. If I need to relax, then relax. If I need to stretch, then stretch.

It becomes this smooth, powerful ebb and flow and creates a much more resistance-free approach to life.

Looking at my body, it can be aesthetically pleasing and I can feel beautiful when I look at it. But looking at it, you'll also find flaws. And finding those flaws can make you feel bad too.

So looking at your body for beauty is temporary. It fluctuates. Your emotions go up and down, and your mood becomes dependent upon how you look.

But when you go the other way and listen to your body, no matter how you look, you're going to feel your best.

Because you're listening to your body. And because you feel your best, you're going to look your best.

The prime example of beauty from the inside out.

Freedom. Care. High values. High standard. Gratitude. Longevity. Admiration. Respect. Curiosity. Intrigue. Inspiration. Life. Zest. Bigger.

That's what femininity looks like to me in a strong, muscular body.

While still being able to wear some cutesy clothes and intimate clothing, lingerie, just because you want to do it for yourself.

It's a beautiful contrast: strong and soft at the same time.

I appreciate the changes.

The relationship has definitely deepened because I see faster, almost instant results based upon what I do or don't do with my body versus when I was younger.

I took that for granted because the changes weren't happening as quickly then. I just thought it didn't matter what I did with my body.

But now? Oh, my body shows up quick, fast, early, super on time.

And I appreciate that.

Taking care of your body is appreciating your body and working with it. Loving it just as it is, but refining it and respecting it.

Fixing your body is completely changing it. It's not appreciating what you have but wanting something else.

That shows a level of dissatisfaction.

Taking care of your body is the opposite.

What makes me feel most beautiful is when I look in the mirror and I can see that I have taken the time out to care for me.

I've taken the time to care for my hair properly, to keep it clean, detangled and moisturized. I've taken the time to take care of my skin in the right way and keep it glowing. I've taken the time for me, to build muscle, work on myself and see the changes.

I respect me more physically today because I have to work for it versus it just being there and me taking it for granted.

What makes me feel most beautiful is seeing the results of me taking care of my entire body without putting expectations on it.

There are these little surprises that come along the way that are a direct result of the time I've taken to invest in my body.

And that's what makes me feel most beautiful.

To live in a beautiful body is to do the best you can.

Give it the most respect by paying attention to what you feed it. Paying attention to what you do with it. Paying attention to even what you don't do with it.

Living in a beautiful body is respecting it and truly appreciating it. Listening to it. Understanding it. Being kind to it. Being loving to it. Building a healthy relationship with it.

To live in your best body is really life, because your body is your vehicle that takes you through life.

And if you have a beautiful, best version of yourself, you are living a great life.