Feel Great About Your Body

I read an article this weekend in Parade magazine, that little insert in the Sunday newspaper, and the article on Feeling Better About Your Body.  In the article, a scenario is set.  You look at your body in the mirror, become disgusted with yourself because you've gained weight, and walk away feeling depressed and hopeless. For those of us that struggle with emotional eating, we might even bury ourselves, and our feelings, in food to find some measure of comfort.

How can we stop this?  How can we feel better about our bodies? There were four points in the article:

• Don't tie your self-worth to the number on the scale.  Um, seriously, this one is the VERY hardest for me.  Case in point:  Over the summer, I was down to my lowest weight - 129.8.  I took a picture of the scale and everything.  I wasn't working and my kids were off school, and I was able to devote 2-3 hours a day to heavy exercise.  During the school year, my job changed and I worked more hours, my kids sports went nuts and I put on five pounds.  I weigh in now at 134.  At first, when I realized that I've pretty much set my point at that level, I was frustrated.  I wanted to be even lower than my lowest.  I felt like a failure and a hypocrite on this site.  But I've realized something - when I was working out that hard, I wasn't really able to enjoy my meals - I was always aware of every single bite.  I didn't want to eat anything sweet or bready or, really anything, because I was addicted to that number.  At a number just five pounds higher, I can pretty much eat what I want and exercise daily and keep in line.  It's healthier for me.  YOU (and me) are not the number on the scale.
• Don't put your life on hold. I'll start exercising when my thighs don't rub together.  When I can bike outside and not struggle with my balance.  When I have hours to devote to it.  When I buy some great new exercise clothing. You don't need to, and in fact you shouldn't, wait for all of the stars to line up.  Just get out there and do something.  Even walking for 20 minutes will help you feel better.  Remember, a step in the right direction is a positive. 
• Ease up on the pressure.  You don't have to work out at a death pace all day, every day.  Find something that you like to do, and do it.  Try to think about how great you feel, what wonderful work you've done, and how great it is for your body, rather than how far you have to go.  If you've got a lot of weight to lose, that huge number can be very overwhelming.  In the beginning, I concentrated on five pound chunks.  That's all - I wanted to lose 5 pounds.  And then five more.  Relax. 
• Congratulate yourself on your hard work.  No matter what you haven't accomplished, a step in the right direction is moving you that way. No one says that you have to reach your goal today, tomorrow, or next month.  You ARE getting there.  You WILL.

Comments

[Lora]

Thanks for the pep talk - needed it!

[Headless Mom]

Great reminders!

And now to work toward that next 5 lb...

[Anna]

People make fun of my hubby and I because we actually *play* Wii Sports, instead of sitting on the couch.
It's doing wonders for him, getting up off the computer (sorta!) and getting moving. It's motivating him so that he can take the next step to more 'real' exercise. My real muscles feel the real burn, even if it is only Wii!

[lc]

Thanks for that! I am a nervous wreck today, because tomorrow I am going on a boat trip with my dd's school class. It involves landing on a local island, 150+ steps to the mesa, then a hike, and about 5 hours of "exploring". A year ago, I would have been 100% certain that I would die on such a trip. Today, I can be a little nervous and keep reminding myself that I can do it, and if I can't keep up with the group, I can at least do my best! I won't miss it, regardless of my weight or fitness.

Wish me luck!

[Fuser Sports Nutrition]

Hi: I wanted to comment in regards to energy supplements and pre/post workouts.

Fuser Sports Nutrition just launched Fuser Diesel Energy Stix! A new energy dietary supplement comprised of Caffeine, Creatine, RNA, and Taurine.

Diesel Energy Stix come in a natural orange flavor and give you Instant Energy at the same time Zeroed-In Focus and the convenience of taking it on the go without water.

Not only will it enhance your workout but make you feel better WITHOUT the shakes and trembles & UNLIKE coffee / energy drinks with so much grams of sugar.

Its only 8 calories and 2 carbs!

Please visit our site for more information on Diesel: www.fusersports.com

Thanks!

[lc]

Wow, does it come in SPAM flavor???