Women, Why Do We Do This To Each Other?

http://www.facebook.com/SomethingUncomfortableSteppingFromFearToFreedom Find us on Facebook & join the Something Uncomfortable movement

Every day, we are bombarded by images of skinny, “beautiful” women. And we respond to those images by longing to look like them. Then we beat ourselves up when we can’t achieve the “perfect” body. We pretend that it’s because that’s what men want. But the truth is that most men don’t find skinny attractive… nor too many muscles, for that matter. 

If we are honest, we can admit that we want to look as good as our friends… or better. We are afraid of what they will think if we let them see our muffin tops. We think they care if we lost 2 pounds… or gained 5. All the while, most of our friends are worried about what we are thinking about their muffin tops. It’s ridiculous. And so sad. Why do we do this to ourselves and to each other?

Even on my quest to being healthy, I struggle with these same issues daily. And since being on Pinterest, I’ve become more aware of the absurdity of it all. I see strangers and friends pinning pictures of bodies they wish they had and exercises that promise to make their body parts look like someone else’s. Why? 

Why is it so hard for us to be satisfied in our own skin? Instead of wishing we could reach a certain weight or dress size, why can’t we focus on reaching a state of good health? And then be happy with whatever that looks like? 

I have watched my body morph over the last 9 months. As I exercise, eat proper portions of healthy foods and eat less processed foods, my body is changing. Yes, I’ve lost weight and a couple of dress sizes. More importantly than how I look is how I feel. My allergies aren’t as bad. My skin looks better. My energy is up. Even my stretch marks have faded. I am functioning better than I have in years. So why do I look in the mirror and still find flaws? UGH!

I’m not foolish enough to think that this nonsense will ever really go away. I just wish we would stop making it worse. Let’s embrace the muffin tops shall we? Cuz even after all of the weight loss, I still have one. :)

Food is Fuel… It is NOT My Friend

http://www.facebook.com/SomethingUncomfortableSteppingFromFearToFreedom

I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food. I began starving myself in 4^th grade. I began binging and purging in high school. Somewhere along the way I discovered diet pills and laxatives. And then after I got married, I became lazy. (Sorry, honey.) I had tried most diets, but just hadn’t figured it out. But I vowed I would, so that I would NOT pass this insanity down to my children.

Last summer, while I was on a walk in the park with my kids, I had a realization. “Food is meant to be fuel. It is NOT my friend.” Of course, we have all heard this before. But for the first time in my life, I heard it with my soul. I knew that I needed to learn how to eat properly. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing since.

I downloaded the MyFitnessPal App for my iPhone. (You can use it online if you don’t have a smartphone.) It’s amazing! I learned how many calories I should be consuming each day and how many calories different foods have. With a little common sense and some Google searches here and there, I have taught myself how to eat properly. 

The best part about the App is that it tracks your weight. I weigh in every day. I know there are different schools of thought on this, but it’s what works for me. It holds me accountable and it allows me the freedom to be a little less strict and make up the bad days quickly. I’ve lost over 20 lbs. (It varies depending on the day... and the holiday.) I’ve gone from a size 6-8 to a size 2-4. But best of all, I’m a lot healthier.

This is definitely a work in progress. In fact, two weeks ago I gave up my beloved Lean Pockets and replaced them with a healthy homemade black beans and rice recipe. I make it once a week and have quick, easy lunches throughout the week. And this past weekend I had a pity party and put anything that wasn’t tied down into my mouth. But I’m back on track and focused again.

We aren’t meant to deprive ourselves of sweets and carbs and the foods we enjoy. BUT we certainly are not meant to binge on them either. After all, food is fuel… it is not our friend.