What Is Your Body Telling You?
“When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” ~Henry J Kaiser
I came across this today and it left me thinking two things:
1. When someone says something nice about your physical appearance, smile, say thanks, and I've been working really hard.
2. When you aren't getting the results you want, listen to what your body is saying, "Hey girl, I'm only doing what you are telling me to do."
Taking Compliments
It's so easy for us former or soon-to-be former fatties to dismiss sincere compliments. We go our entire fat life trying to blend in unnoticed, ashamed of our bodies, and convincing ourselves that we are never worthy of people's attention. Afterall, most of the attention we get is in the negative...kids teasing, people staring, etc.
When you start slimming down and looking healthy, people notice and they tell you. At first it's so uncomfortable to be noticed. It should be gratifying but it can be hard to take. You just aren't used to it and you feel as if it is undeserved. We then let our habits speak for us. We say things like...
"I don't look that good."
"I still have so much left to lose."
"Well, if only my thighs would slim down then I would believe you."
Any of that sound familiar? I am a strong believer in shut up, take your compliments with a smile, and START BELIEVING IN YOURSELF. If you keep telling others you aren't worthy...then will you ever be? Before you know it, you'll talk yourself into falling into your old behaviors. So, don't interrupt when your work is speaking for itself.
My Body is Yelling At Me!
Here we have the other side. Often our bodies are yelling at us that we aren't doing what we need to do to get fit and lose our weight. We are so busy saying...
"But I eat good most of the time."
"But I got in most of my workouts."
"I need my chocolate and it shouldn't stop me from losing weight."
I RARELY meet someone that can't get into better shape. It takes hard work. HARD WORK. Those of my girls that have the most success will never say, "you know, I just remember it being so simple." They will say, "hell yeah I've worked out when it was cold, when no one else was awake, I've ate grilled chicken until I'm clucking, and of course I get hungry. If dieting and exercising was so much fun I would have never put on weight."
The key for those who have lost listened to their bodies without throwing in the BUT's. Whe they didn't see success on the scale or in inches, they got busy asking what do I need to do and then they did it. They realized that the body will let you know how hard you are working. And, they knew it would never happen overnight. The lightbulb moment for them was realizing it's a lifelong process. Better get damn comfy with eating right and exercising because it's just the way life is supposed to be lived.
You need to listen to YOUR body. Maybe you need to quit expecting so much. Don't expect to look like Jillian Michaels when you eat like Brtiney Spears and Rosie O'Donnell. Not that Britney isn't cute (crazy maybe) but her body has taken a hit since she let her diet and exercise go to poop.
Take your time in this journey. Make the sacrifices you are willing to make, workout as hard as you are willing to workout, and be honest with yourself. Be quiet, read your journals, and decide if you give the effort that says I'm working towards my goal or I'm giving the effort that isn't going to get me there. Now you have a choice:
1. Get busy working towards your goals with the kind of effort your body needs.
2. Set new, realistic goals you are willing to do the work for.
Either way I'm here to help. I don't care if you are a slow change kind of girl or a radical lifestyle overhaul type. Not all of us take the same path to reach our goals. We just all need to be able to truly listen to what our work is telling us and then act on it.