The comment that made me realize how far I've come
A couple of weeks ago we went out to celebrate my husband turning 40. After dinner a friend of mine made a comment that I look the best I ever looked. Now I don’t say that to boast, but to share what happened after I had time to reflect.
You guys!!! I’ve been pushing for so long. Grinding my body. Fighting with it. Pushing it until I hurt myself with my workouts. Taking out carbs. Cutting back on foods I wanted. Bringing tupperware to eat my food out of at social settings, or better yet, not eating at social settings. Depriving myself of foods that I wanted because I didn’t think I could control myself or that my pants would fit the next day. And then after depriving myself, binge eating on cookies, chips, cake and more. But even when I tortured my body, and obsessed with everything, I still wasn’t happy or happy with the way I looked. I was being so mean to my body. I was literally torturing it.
Fighting our body and depriving ourselves only lasts for so long.
We can cut things out or push our body to the max and yes our body will lose weight, but sooner or later our bodies start to back lash. We start to get injuries, and we start gaining weight for no apparent reason, or worse, our body becomes inflamed. And man does that lifestyle get exhausting!
I no longer push my body until complete pain. I no longer spend hours in the gym. I listen to my body now. If something feels off I skip a day and don’t “mean girl” the crap out of myself all day. I meditate. I journal. I talk about the things that are bothering me with my sacred sisters. I eat what makes me feel good. I have chips and chocolate a lot more than you would think. I don’t overeat to the point of pains in my stomach and ribs. I have a treat if I want it, and if it doesn’t taste great or if I’m full I don’t eat it. My body is loved. I don’t fight it anymore.
AHHHHH deep exhale. It’s taken me so long to be here. And you know what? My body is far from perfect. I have cellulite on my thighs and all. But sister, I feel so comfortable in my skin and that’s all that matters! I am fit enough to keep up with my crazy kiddos. I can dance with them and lift them up the way I want. I can eat all foods except for gluten. My body is my compass. I listen to it and tune into what it needs. This is all so much more important to me than looking great in a bikini. The struggle is no longer there. I deprived myself for too long, and fought my body for way to long. The amount of energy it takes to get through a day with that mindset is downright exhausting.
You don’t have to torture your body to feel comfortable in your own skin.
You don’t have to deprive yourself.
That’s the definition of self love.
Love your body enough to nurture it.
Move your body, feed it nourishing food, but please my sister, don’t forget about your mind. Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.
Being healthy and comfortable in your own skin doesn’t have to be so grueling.
Sending so much love,
