What’s Beautiful?
Belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance.
This is one of the many definition’s of CONFIDENCE.
Beauty is not defined by a number on a scale or by the dress size we wear. Beauty is not all about what portray on the outside, but it is also how we feel about ourselves on the inside. Confidence exudes beauty. When we are confident in ourselves and our abilities we instantly project beauty.
I am so excited to have been chosen by FitFluential to participate in Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful Campaign because this is my chance to completely recapture my confidence. To stop wavering between the confident me and the insecure me. To join a group of confident female athletes in a community that will support each other through this competition and beyond.
The last few years I have found confidence in myself and in places that I least expected it. I started a blog and was confident enough to put myself out there in the world for everyone to see. I achieved goals, like my 1:54 half-marathon, that I never thought I could achieve. I went to FitBloggin’ by myself, without my family and socialized with many people that I have never met before. Who is this person??? This is the confident me, but I have not always been confident in myself or my abilities and at times, I still struggle.
Confidence in myself has always been a struggle. I have a hard time believing in my capabilities. I have always been a straight A student, I even graduated Suma Cum Laude from nursing school, but after every test I knew I failed, even when I consistently scored 90 or above. I felt like a fraud, that somehow I was just lucky in achieving the grades I achieved, even though I worked hard to achieve those grades. I tortured the people around my with my unwarranted insecurities. Crazy, but true.
Returning to school now I still feel the same way. I just complete my 2nd semester at Empire State college with my second A, yet I still feel inadequate. I felt somehow I just slid by, that I just happened upon an A, regardless of the work I put into the numerous papers requiring APA format that I have completed. I know my thoughts are so far from the truth, but I have a hard time pushing them away. What is wrong with me??????
My lack of confidence is not exclusive to school, but oozes into every aspect of my life. Work, social activities, running, etc. I am my own worst enemy. At times I feel inadequate or like a failure. Why?? I have no valid reason other than lack of self-confidence.
I waver between the confident Toni and the insecure Toni that does not feel confident. As I get older and become more comfortable in my own skin, more often than not I AM the confident Toni. With each successive accomplishment I push the insecure Toni away, but ever once in awhile she still rears her ugly head.
This past weekend when I went to try on my bridesmaid dress for my sister-in-laws wedding my confidence was once again rocked, by s stupid number on a dress. I knew much of the bridal party were 2’s or 6’s. I also knew my hips would push me in the 6-8 range and truly I was okay with those numbers. I am NOT defined by a number on a dress. I was prepared to be on the larger side, but when I ended up with a 10, my preparation was useless. I am NOT a 10, why am I so big, this sux, everyone else is a 2 and I am a 10. My mind was filled with negativity and my confidence was nil.
I refuse to allow these thoughts to ruin an otherwise beautiful occasion. This is NOT me!!! I am a beautiful person inside and out, regardless of a number. The dress looked beautiful, but I had a hard time seeing that due to a number. How stupid is that?? Who cares about a number???? I will NOT allow a number make me feel bad about myself.
I WILL rebuild and maintain confidence in myself and my abilities. I have created Team Confidence for every woman who has ever doubted themselves and allowed insecurities to stop them from pursuing their dreams.
This team is about building confidence! We are all capable of anything we set out to do, we just need the confidence to succeed. Confidence = Success! Step out of your comfort zone with confidence and go after a goal you have always wanted to achieve.
#I WILL.
Join Team Confidence today. Let’s support each other in building our confidence and achieving our goals.
Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful Campaign is a competition to redefine the female athlete. Join. Create an epic goal. Aim high and challenge yourself, reach for your ultimate goal! Document your journey. Complete challenges. Be the best you can be!!! After 8 weeks three individual’s will win an Under Armour retreat to Costa Rica.
In addition to joining my team you can follow me and my individual goals.
You can tweet about this competition using the hashtags #whatsbeautiful #iwill #fitfluential
How do you define Beauty??
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Under Armour & FitFluential; All opinions and experiences are 100% my own.


This is a great challenge. I am so sorry that you are struggling with self-confidence, but I know you are not alone. This is one area where “Fake it til you make it” really can work!
Coco recently posted..My First Group Run
Good post Toni. I think there are SO MANY great women from FF and those outside who are getting in on this round. Part of me is stressed I can’t follow everyone. Part of me is FLOORED by the response and so happy for everyone regardless.
Julie @ ROJ Running recently posted..Earth Fare now open in Solon, Ohio!
I think as you surround yourself with more and more confident people, you’ll gain more of it yourself. I also think that you are shedding your insecurities a bit at a time, which means it will be a lasting change. Whenever you feel yourself doubting, ask yourself, “Would I be this hard on my kids or spouse?” It really works! How surprising to discover that you do not see yourself the way we see you – as an inspirational person.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Do You Fear Falling as You Age?
Love the idea behind Team Confidence! I feel much more sure of myself when I’m active and healthy.
AmyC @ running escapades recently posted..SurfSet Fitness Session
You picked a great challenge here. Confidence, or lack of it, is something so many people, women in particular, suffer from. Good luck finding it!
misszippy1 recently posted..Are you waterlogged?
HUGS. and big ones.
I thinking a lot about confidence these days with my daughter and her friends and, well, ME too 🙂
Miz recently posted..Im not boring.
I love your challenge. I feel so much better with a little confidence as opposed to just a number on the scale or a dress.
Carrie @ FamilyFitnessFood.com recently posted..What I Ate Sunday – errr Wednesday
Thanks!!!
LOVE this! Mine is up today to & about being enough – wort of on the same wavelength but a bit different. 🙂
Jody – Fit at 55 recently posted..I AM ENOUGH – What’s Beautiful
Alexandra nailed it; confidence is acquired little by little over time. The Toni I roomed with last fall in Baltimore seemed plenty confident to me! If you hadn’t told me that it was your first trip away on your own, I would never have guessed it.
I love your theme for this campaign! Rock it! xo
Tamara recently posted..Do you avoid the ‘f’ word? | Talking to kids about obesity
Thanks Tamara!!! That conference was awesome and made me really believe in myself!!! I have days where I back slide but nost of the time I do have confidence!!!!
I love this. What a great goal to work towards!
Kristen @ The Running Mom recently posted..What’s Beautiful
I love the idea behind the What is Beautiful campaign. I think setting challenges for yourself and doing it together as a group is such a great way to stay on top of your goals and motivating for sure
Beauty comes from within, this I know for sure.
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Running with my daughter and Women’s Running Race Series
Already following you!
I love your team focus, too. It’s really hard not to focus on a number; I, too, struggle with that. Some days are better than others though.
It looks like you’ve made some amazing strides recently, though! I’d love to go to a Fitness/Blogging Conference, solo, and meet some awesome new people.
E @ adventure of E recently posted..Playlist Thursday: it runs in the family
Thanks for following, I have good days and bad days but I am learning each step of the way, confidence comes with time, experience and age!!!!!
Having always struggled with waffling levels of insecurity (or confidence) I love this campaign. You have this–baby step after baby step!
Elena recently posted..Are You Brave?