This is a very difficult topic for me and one that I have not been able YET to figure out.
Reasons for being overweight are vast and I could go on and on about all that forever and come up with every excuse in the book for why I put on the pounds.Recently Michael Hunt, a fellow Women Celebrations member and hypnotist with First Coast Hypnosis shared with me that I have a BLOCK about the weight that I find acceptable – what weight is “o.k.,†what is “too much†etc. Mr. Hunt says, “Your sub-conscious mind creates a self image of being heavy for so many reasons: your mother was heavy, your mother said you would be, there is someone in your family you powerfully identify with, someone of authority impressed upon you the idea of being big, and on and on.†Continuing, Mr. Hunt states, “Weight can be comforting in that it provides an insulation and or protection from the outside world, from responsibilities, from problems, from people…and that we all eat for so many reasons; when we are happy, sad, or frightened.†I would have to say – for the most part – I eat when I am feeling fear – uncertainty, confusion, and especially when I get STUCK on a project. Often during the work day- I head off to the refrigerator to find relief for the rejection that I may have just experienced or for the overwhelming feeling of “when will I ever get it all done?†In 2003 – I went on the BODY FOR LIFE weight loss program – a competition that lasted for 3 months. I grew and juiced all my vegetables – I worked out with a trainer every day – and WOW – what results!
And then….I found myself back in an abusive relationship, the fear set in – and back down the road of excessive unhealthy eating- just like that. Only once in my life did I surpass size 12 pants size – of which only lasted a few months. Hence the block – 12 is o.k., but not 14, 12 is o.k.—and not sure if 10 is worth the effort. I now only dream of getting back down to a 8-10 and staying there. Now you may be thinking – “GIRL – that is not overweight!†Just know it is all relative and some of the most beautiful, thinnest people I know consider themselves fat and ugly. So however we view ourselves – me included, taking ownership for our bodies while providing self – love and appreciation for the whole package is wildly important. I have the exercise thing down pretty well– walking at the beach is a breeze – so I guess the first step is being aware right? More to come.
May 14th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
kudos for facing the tuff stuff!! i relate to what you write about…when I am able to love and nurture my body in a way that is full of God, I let the weight take care of itself.
I work on focusing on being healthy, and try not to worry about the size, the pounds, the number. I am not a number. I am a wonderful woman who derserves to carry her loving heart around in a body befitting it.
Recently I started teaching a yoga class each morning on the beach for some friends. What a blessing it has been. I get to see the sunrise, I get to be with other loving women, I get to nurture my body in a way that I love and I get to feel strong and resilent! WOW!!
I am responsible for the actions and I let God worry about the result he has for me. If it is a few pounds great, if it is a more toned and subtle body, or it is consistent energy, I know God will bring me exactly the outcomes I should have as the result of my actions…
Feeling healthy, blessed and oh so centered today. Life is Good!
Florence
May 14th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I am sure there are many of us out here that can relate to your story and have battled weight issues on and off throughout our lives. I have believed for many years in the body, mind and spirit theory but have had trouble connecting the three. The Law of Attraction tells us “what you focus on expands” and I didn’t really get that regarding my body until I was doing a Body Knowledge teleseminar with one of my coaches and I had an “ah ha” moment. Would you tell your best friend “you sure are getting fat, or look at that cellulite”. Of course not, but how often do we look in the mirror and tell ourself that? I know for me it was almost a daily ritual until I had my “ah ha”. Now, I look in the mirror and say “I am thin, trim and physically fit” and my actions follow suit to ensure that I am working towards that. I am donating my weight back to the universe to use for someone who needs it and I am losing inches, thanks to www.itworksnet/losetheinches/ . I am achieving my goal of being physically fit and I am not concerned about what the scale says, only how my body tells me it is feeling. We are as one and communicating and celebrating our achievements daily. Love, honor and respect yourself at all times in all ways!
May 14th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Really Cool Diane! Thank you! I know in theory how it works - yet things that I ate tonight…the greasy hamburger and the Junior Mints - they just keep coming - I mostly talk the right language, yet it feels like something in me says - “thin is just not for you.” I know it is NOT the number on the scale and NOT the dress size - and it is NOT even about weight - It is about my inner self-talk and like you said, walking past the mirror and saying…”Oh baby, when will you get rid of the inches!” …instead - of “Wow, you are one beautiful healthy LADY!” There has to be the “switch” in my head that says…I AM all that I choose to be! You know - the sooner the better the swith flips on…the better it will be for me. Thank you for hearing me.
May 24th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
sheryl,
first off, you bring LIFE to St. Augie!! Can you fit tennis into your busy schedule? I just bought a bag of “practice/over the hill” balls, they only bounce once to the hips, after that, we can blame it on a factory defect, not an over “40″ i’m too busy to chase “weak deflated nor-reactive tennis balls”
by the way, your smile carries most of your weight, sweetie!!
chips in the a.m. is not only mind over matter, it’s what’s in the cabinet that matters! i’ve always eaten vegetables for breakfast. meet you at the farmers market wed. at 8?
a lb. of mushrooms goes a long way….this lb. is on me!!
i went on a spiritual retreat years ago, and one of one responsibilities was to manage the leaders morning foods. onions, garlic, lettuce, soy, and lots of praise, acceptance and love. Wow, finally i fit in, people who understood my eating habits, and now me understanding their spiritual ones!!
most of the people in my life don’t get my recipe for “MOVING”, but being born with so many genetic deficiencies, I had to adapt. Don’t get me wrong, I deviate, I’m human, but after along life of feeling the after effects of eating processed and heavy foods, I’ve learned to avoid them to enjoy “BEING, DOING, AND HAVING”.
sheryl, your SPIRIT could and does carry the Universe!!
“you are one healthy lady”!!
love and hugs!