Tomorrow is All souls day… and whilst I'm not religious... it got me thinking about all nourishing, you know how we're always banging on about nourishing our bodies but what about nourishing how we feel … I've often been described as a happy soul but for a long time that was just a front and food was my blanket...
I know you're rolling your eyes but this has EVERYTHING to do with losing weight!
Self loathing is possibly one of the worst emotions on the planet… hell in the universe! And for some of us, its easy to dish out the love, care and attention that other people need and want (and even those who don't deserve it!), but when it comes to ourselves, why do we feel we're not good enough? or worthy enough to even bother? Its easy to say 'sure I'm grand' when you're really not! but here's the thing… anyone trying to lose weight has already made that step towards realizing they're worth something… if you truly hated yourself you wouldn't bother with any of this pointing/syns/weigh-ins/goal setting malarky!
You love your children, partners, mums, dads, siblings, friends, pets and would probably die for most of them... You wouldn't let them go hungry, you would try to make sure they're nourished, encourage them to eat well, keep them warm, want to see them living happy lives yet personally there was a point when I shoveled food into my body just to to keep it quiet so I could spend more time caring for others… caring for yourself isn't a selfish thing… in fact caring for yourself makes you a better you! If you have kids, they follow by example, preparing healthy food isn't easy, not in these ready-meal days… (tangent: I was in a shop the other day and it was 4 euro for a punnet of 10 strawberries and 3 sausage rolls for a euro!!! see what I mean!) ... counting points, exercising, tracking is a chore… but you do it because you love yourself enough to care for your body… a healthy happy version of you is better for everyone! And its the only one you've got so you really so have to mind it...
No one is perfect… no one… ask a size 8 person how they feel about their body and they'll have a list as long as yours!
If Beyonce hasn't got a problem... you haven't got one!!!
Everyone hates their belly, bum, thighs, double chin, legs.. but take a really good look… are they SO bad? Are people screaming in fear at your thighs in the street? Those thighs carry you about every day… they help you pedal on the bike rides with your friends, they jumped rope in school… they walked you down the aisle… they ran when you needed to be beside a loved one fast… they're yours and you need to love them… and by making the step to lose a bit of weight… you're only improving whats already a great pair of thighs! And improvement is always encouraged!
The most famous thighs ever! and the sexiest!
Loving yourself is a privilege… there are so many who don't have your thighs and would probably kill for them! and many less fortunate who see how you don't appreciate them… Ever been in a hair salon and had the 'I wish I had your hair…' conversation, if we have straight hair, we envy curls… if we're curly, we'll buy every straightener going… we're never happy… and we should be… life is too short to be grumpy about curls!
Instead of looking at your body parts and labeling them as disgusting, gross, or repulsive, try and see them for the blessing that they are. They are part of YOU, and when you're negative towards yourself… it comes out in other ways... comfort eating. Give yourself a pat on the back for caring for your body and it carrying you through life so far.. How about a pedicure at the end of those thighs or even treat yourself to a nice body lotion… you know what makes your body feel good… Take time this week and do those things…
Bridget got it right!
I am an avid fan of Operation Beautiful…
http://www.operationbeautiful.com so if you even see a post-it note in the loo… it could have been me! NOTE: Um… work... these are not stolen from the supplies cabinet… ahem... Sometimes all you need is to read that one little phrase to make you think… 'actually I'm looking good today!' and eventually you will start to believe it! A small thing can make a huge difference… ever got a compliment and felt amazing after it… simple things…
True story... I was having lunch with a friend one day in an establishment famed for its chicken wings… when we walked in… I felt like every pair of eyes was one me.. clearly I'm THAT important… in my mind people were thinking 'WHAT is she doing in here?' … I noticed a woman staring at me.. and when we ordered chicken wings to share, I spotted her looking my way… again, in my mind she was screaming 'the LAST thing you need is chicken wings fatty!' … She and her friend got up to leave and she approached our table.. I completely went into 'take the high ground.. don't LOWER yourself to her petty comments… you are ENTITLED to have your lunch'… as I braced myself thinking should I deck her one? she leaned in and asked me where I got my coat, she'd been looking for something similar and thought it was lovely… I nearly choked on fresh air!!! And it served me right… I've done it myself MANY time.. 'Love your scarf'… 'where did you get your handbag?' … ' I noticed your nails they are fab!" to total strangers… YES... I still cringe when people give me a compliment because I still can't see what they see… but I'm learning to appreciate it and just say 'Thanks!"
Every time you look in the mirror this week (and you all brush your teeth so I KNOW you've got mirrors!) … say one positive thing… I mean it… you don't have to go all 'YOU ARE TOTES GAWJUS' but if you did, I for one would applaud you! If you need to start with baby steps… 'I like this color on me' … 'I can really see a difference in my weight' .. 'I feel good today' … 'i love my hair this colour' … Tell yourself something good about YOU every day... And believe it... it'll start every day on a positive note!
Be kind to yourself… nourish your body… set aside some time everyday to do one thing for YOU.. maybe its your cleanse, tone and moisturise routine with your fav songs … maybe its a phone call to a friend… maybe its a new nail polish and a cup of tea… cause as the ad says… you're worth it!
Yes its me...Spooky Doll... get it?!
Clearly no one was spooked by Halloween.. over 100lbs lost so far! well done x
