me wonder if it was possible to lose some weight . I was not interested in being slim but I did want to lose enough weight to gain some sort of healthy balance . I was introduced to eating Paleo through the Facebook PCOS support groups and about incorporating raw foods into your diet from attending a class that was advertised in a community Facebook group . I love to cook and I enjoy experimenting with new recipes ! Changing the way I eat without being too strict on myself and choosing to trust in the Lord and not to lean on my own understanding has proven to be beneficial . I don ’ t understand why He allowed my body to be this way but I don ’ t question His plan . My menstrual cycles are still not regular but have balanced enough to where I can plan for one every other month . It ’ s funny how my mother assigned Proverbs 3:5 to me as my personal scripture as a small child and as I aged it has become a daily choice ! I am at peace with all that I am . I ’ m now in my late thirties , am loosely wearing a size 22 and am no longer in fear of the what ifs . I have not had a growth in years . Plus size women seem to be the new trend so I am enjoying better fashion choices . I ’ m no longer feeling undesirable , have realized that it was my low self-esteem that was putting men off and I enjoy an occasional date . I try to focus on the positive and on God ’ s promise to provide “ the oil of joy instead of mourning , and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair ”. I was surely mourning the “ normal ” that I thought I deserved . It is amazing how my “ normal ” became much more bearable when I chose to be happy ! I practice daily affirmations which have helped me to be less sensitive and offended when dealing with others . I ’ m optimistic about my future and still dream of having my own children despite what previous doctors said . I am still finding what works for my body and life yet , I feel so much better and have more confidence ! When you make a choice , you choose all that comes with it and I choose to love myself unconditionally .
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Jelly Malenga is a mentor , speaker , and an esteem coach . She is the founder and director of The Bella Project , a Nashville , TN based enrichment organization for girls , teens and women . Founder and director of the Ms . Bella ( plus-size ) Pageant . Jelly is the social media director for 353 Media Group , a logistics coordinator for Nashville ’ s African Street Festival , an American Heart Association stroke ambassador , Ms Middle Tennessee American Beauties Plus 2015 , and Miss Congeniality American Beauties Plus 2015 .
Instagram : @ auntie . jelly | Website : www . bellaproject . org | Twitter : @ jellymalenga Facebook : THE BELLA PROJECT | All Enquiries : jelly . malenga @ gmail . com