My mom and dad with me in Parma, Italia. The happiest I have ever felt about my body was living in this town...

On the beach of Monterosso, skinny to large Italian women walked in a way that truly took my breath away. Everyone looked amazing and I was truly envious of them. They knew how to love their bodies and I didn't, and it was showing. My self consciousness may as well have been an extra 50 pounds of chub, because it was definitely weighing me down and I decided to drop it on that beach. Coming home from Italy, I started to walk like an Italian for a while. Shoulders back, head up and proud of my body.

From left to right: Jenny the Canadian, Andrea the Italian, me the American. Andrea taught us foreigners to love life through good food, good wine and loving your body for what it is.

why don't we love our bodies as much as they do in europe?

As I write this post today I am reminded that my Italian walk has slipped away a bit, and I want to know why and how to bring it back. I have been asking people around lululemon a few questions about loving their bodies. I wasn't shocked by their answers, but I want to find a way to put an Italian sway in their days. Here is what I found:

Hollis dancing to her own beat.

Hollis, a runner and dream maker, and in the eyes of most women has a perfect body.

Do you love your body?

Most days.

How do you find the love in your body on the days it seems to be lacking?

Exercise or run or cycling when I can't find the love and I am reminded of how strong my thighs are because that's the body part that I hate the most. My thighs give me strength in a conflicting way.

Dane, one handed push up, no problem!

Dane walks tall, works out a lot, and in the eyes of most women, is pretty smokin'.

Do you love your body?

No. I haven't in the past and I'm starting to.

How do you find the love in your body on the days it seems to be lacking?

I beat myself up mentally and then feel better by exercising. Sculpt yoga classes make me feel the best about my body, and when I need the love, I go to class.

Natalia punches it out and always exudes confidence.

Finally, there's Natalia. Natalia is beautiful inside and out, and seems to have it all figured out. When I met her a few weeks ago, I was blown away by her internal beauty and was instantly reminded of the Italian women I so admire. She is an IntenSati instructor and is trying to teach the world how to love themselves through exercise.

Have you always loved your body?

Absolutely not! It wasn't until my teen years when I found exercise that I began to appreciate my body and enjoyed being physical. I can honestly say that I now love my body. IntenSati has a lot to do with that, it reminds me that the point of exercising is not to fit into a pair of jeans, but to feel strong, healthy and confident.

What tips and mantras can you share with those of us who are still working on loving our bodies?

Find a type of exercise that you enjoy. If you feel that exercise is torture or punishment, chances are you will not stick with your routine and that you will feel resentful and angry, neither of which are emotions that cultivate self-love. Of course it should be challenging, but if you hate running or swimming, I would not start by committing to run or swim every day! Try lots of classes and find one you love.

One affirmation I think is really powerful is; I love myself exactly as I am. This helps remind me that even as I am striving to be stronger and more fit, I must begin from a foundation of love for myself just as I am in the present moment. After all, love is always a more powerful fuel than self doubt.

walk like an italian, sweat like a north american, and love your body

In the end what I found was that we North Americans may not show that we love our bodies in the way that we walk and talk, but we definitely love our bodies in the ways we sweat. Now if we can just put a bit more of an Italian bounce in our step, we might be able to convince ourselves and the world of the love we have for our bodies. When you are not feeling the love, find a way to sweat and fake it until you make it. Life's too short and you only get one body, so love it up. Namaste.

I don’t know the what, when, where, why and how, but, somewhere along the line, we were told that our bodies weren’t good enough. We were told that we should cover-up, hide from the world, if we weren’t a certain body type. Well, forget that!

Far too much emphasis is put on what other people think. The emphasis should be placed on how you feel. We work out to build confidence and feel good about our bodies. Why don’t we celebrate what we work so hard for?

I am not a size two. My stomach does not lie flat, my thighs are bigger than they used to be, and my shoulders are broad. But that stomach supports me in plank pose when my yoga instructor decides we should hold it there for three minutes. My thighs power my legs as I dodge tree roots and rocks when sprinting through mountain trails. Those broad shoulders of mine propel me along length after length in the swimming pool. I work hard. And, if I want to wear a sports bra while I’m out for my morning run, I’m going to, and I don’t see why anyone should have a problem with that.

There’s no size restriction on beauty and confidence. Dare to bare a little skin. Show off your muscles, your curves. Wear that sports bra and those short shorts.

Don’t look to others for approval. Be the confidence you’re searching for.

Love your body.