As I sit here in my hotel room, in Chicago, at 6AM (don’t ask… I’m 700 miles away from the toddler but somehow I "hear" him – I think he has me trained) and reflect on the weekend so far, I decided to do a little search for a weekend quote.
I wanted to find one about experiences. Something that would be relevant to me being out and about in a new city, participating in all of these interesting events and learning new things. Well, one quote literally jumped off the screen at me…
When I experience and accept myself exactly as I am, then I change.
It’s not precisely the realm of quote I was looking for but MAN, is it a powerful concept. One that I can totally agree and relate to.
In my 3 Steps to a Healthier YOU series I call this the chicken/egg problem of weight loss. I didn’t lose the weight and then accept myself and experience new things. I first accepted ME, body and all. The chubby girl in High School, the weight I regained from pregnancy, the stretch marks, all the failed diet attempts in the past. All of it. I accepted that THAT was who I was… IS. THEN I was able to "see the light", so to say. Then I was able to change.
I think when we hold on to our negative body images we start to feel sorry for ourselves. We are then afraid to experience new things and in essence, to change.
"I can’t do that, I’m too fat."
"I’m too chubby to wear that"
"I’m not trying that, I don’t want everyone to see my fat ass try to climb a wall/walk outside/go to gym/whatever [insert what you are not doing because you don't like your body]!"
These were all things I used to say. My negative body image became crippling. In essence causing me to gain more and more weight through my teens and 20′s. That’s why my happiness wasn’t enough. My unhappiness was causing the weight problem so it couldn’t be the solution.
The solution HAS to be self acceptance. I agree with Cherie McCoy, I don’t think we can change until we do.
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"never works. :( RT @perfectpantry: Eating a garden salad and trying to convince myself it's a hot fudge sundae.— RoniNoone
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Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.Like the new look of Roni’s Weigh?
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Amen, Sister. I ENTIRELY AGREE.
For me it was/is the fact that once I became entirely comfortable in my skin (or skinsuit as my ToddlerTornado calls it) & unapologetically myself things fell into place.
For me your post works on every.single.level. from weight loss to finding a soulmate and (hello career!) everything in between.
Miz.
Check out MizFits last blog post..Onward & Oatward.
You are so right! It is about accepting yourself and by doing so you really become in touch with who you really our. I think for most people, being alone or by ourselves is when we tend to binge, grab cookie after cookie, polish of that bag of chips and then eat the nights leftovers. It’s as if being alone with yourself without any distractions (such as food) is uncomfortable. Learn to be your own best friend, you will never be let down.
Roni!
What a great pleasure it was to have met you and the other bloggers. My only regret is that I had more time to spend with each of you but the little time I did have was awesome.
You are an amazing inspiration to your readers and I commend you for this blog (bowing down in reverence…oh crap, i think I just hurt my back!). But seriously, you are amazing and I lhope you enjoyed your Quaker weekend!! If anything, you are now “one with the oat”! Ha!
I completely 100% agree. Thank you so much for posting this.
Check out gottahavefaiths last blog post..Homemade Yogurt
I love that this quote is pretty much the running theme of your blog. Thank you for staying positive but also for sharing how you make it through the less-than-positive times. Your “secrets” are invaluable to the rest of us.
Check out Es last blog post..Less feasting, more festivities
Roni, such an inspiring quote! It was so great to meet you in person this weekend. You are such a wonderful person and i hope that we get to meet up in DC sometime very soon.
Lisa
PS: i’m sending my son to your house for Fun-derwear day!
See, this is why I’m scared. I’ve lost 40 pounds in 3 months and I feel awesome and I’ve really made a lifestyle change. BUT I definitely still have not accepted myself/ am not comfortable in my own skin. My confidence has gone up a little since I’ve lost some weight but that’s only because of losing weight. Now I’m scared that because I didn’t accept myself and love who I am BEFORE I lost the weight (like you did) that I’ll automatically gain it back eventually because I did it in the wrong order. I do still have 60-70 pounds to lose. THe only thing I don’t understand is how to MAKE yourself love who you are. I’ve tried my whole life! I’m sure that’s a huge concept that doesn’t just have a one-sentence answer either. I’m just really worried about being able to love myself so that I don’t gain it back.
@Rachel – wow, you should be really proud of yourself! way to go!
Every time I read your posts, they motivate me or act as a reminder to relax and just keep being myself. Thanks, Roni!
I’m so glad I found your blog through all the other bloggers who met in Chicago this weekend! I’ll be adding you to my reader for sure :)
Roni, this comment might turn into a blog on my site…but I know what you are saying. I believe I have used my eating and my weight to “hide” myself. I am safe this way….no one wants me and I wont get hurt that way. Im sure getting alot of attention just losing 26 pounds… and when I lose the next 50 – 75 Im sure I will get more attention. I need to know how to channel and handle this attention. It wold be so easy to just let myself go at this point….induldge…throw caution to the wind…there is still a pretty steep hill in front of me and I will get there one step at a time!