Today's post is a two-parter...the bad AND the good.
The Bad
Can I just say yet again how much I HATE that weightloss (no matter how open or how reserved you are) is such a visible struggle?? Last night, I was catching up on posts (sorry for the lack of comments, but I had almost 200 posts to catch up on last night!! I did read!) last night and the lovely Fluffy wrote a post that really hit home with me. She was talking about the difference in perception between the struggles of underweight people and overweight people. For instance, a person might look at an anorexic with sympathy knowing that they just couldn't tell them to eat, yet that same person might look at a fat person with disdain and think that they just need to not eat so much. Both stuggles often stem from the same places, but they are perceived in such different ways.
I watch the show Too Fat for Fifteen and my heart just aches for these kids. I think it is possible that if my parents had the money, I would have gone to a place like that. In the episode I was watching last night, they went home for the Thanksgiving holiday and it was challenging to stay "on plan." One of the girls was given grief and taunted by her brother. He would eat in front of her and tell her he would never eat like she does...in a very patronizing way. It totally broke my heart because it felt like my life growing up. My brother & I get along now, but he could be very cruel to me when I was growing up and that had such a profound impact on my adolesence.
In a better world, that boy would be chastised for his attitude and the girl would be praised for her attempts to better herself. Instead, he is probably popular where she is bullied. I just hate that.
The Good
I think my head is getting back to normal. At Group last night, the group leader suggested that we take some time to say nice things to ourselves. Here I go...
Beth Ann, I'm so proud of you for continuing to get up each morning and do yoga. Flexibility is important and making this effort helps your body. Also, when you were shopping for a shirt at the NASCAR races, I'm glad you have a good enough self image to know that the XL shirt would be too big and got yourself a Large instead. And finally, it is good to know that you are going to continue to fight. That when things get tough and you get inside your head...you are going to blog, continue your routine, and push, push, push until you get it back together again. This new person doesn't quit and will come out even better on the other side.
Thank you ALL for sticking with me and liking ME, even during the times when I'm not so sure I like myself. It makes a difference in my life, truly. I can't wait for Chicago so I can meet many of you in person.
HUGS!
Ladybug
10 comments:
I seriously love your blog. It puts a smile on my face EVERYTIME I read it, you inspire me so much.
I love the idea of positive talk, I might have to adopt this for my blog.
You ROCK!It is awesome to hear you say nice things to yourself. I am in awe that you are keeping up with the yoga so well and it is inspiring me to work out in the mornings too. I even woke up and thought about it this morning...and then hit the snooze...so I will have to do it tonight instead. :) Keep plugging away at it. It is a struggle. But the way I see it, all people struggle with something. Ours is just worn on the outside for the world to see.
Once again, totally absolutely positively inspirational. And on the 'Bad' part, I don't watch that show, but the whole 'be a bully and you'll not get chastized' situation just floors me. I want the perfect world too; where bullies pay for their attitudes and those wonderful girls get everything they want, because gosh darn it they work so hard to get it!
One of my closest friends is super skinny. She is a size zero and very tall and has trouble finding clothes in regular (affordable) stores because places like Old Navy don't have jeans SMALL enough for her. I've eaten dozens and dozens of meals with her and she eats actual food...she drenches her salads with dressing, eats a jar of peanut butter every few days, has ice cream almost every day...and struggles to keep weight on. She doesn't like most food very much and the woman lost 5 pounds in France because the food was "icky". She says she can't eat any more than she does because it makes her feel nauseated. She gets really upset when people say she looks anorexic, is too skinny, doesn't eat...she just has the metabolism of a hummingbird. Her mom is very skinny too. She is really insecure about her weight because she thinks she looks bony and not womanly. Anyway...she always says that everyone has their own issues and she wishes they had something that was like the opposite of the lap band so she could put on a few pounds.
You are a total inspiration and always have posts that make me think (a very good thing for a blonde). Thanks for being you!!!
I read your last couple posts and it makes me feel a lot better knowing I'm not alone here! I saw your comment on my blog post that you thought I sounded just like you... guess that's why we have the band huh? I'm hoping this adjustment keeps me in check! I just came home from Applebee's and ate a plate of pasta and then went next door for frozen yogurt. I'm sure my boyfriend is thinking, "and you spent how much on your surgery?" Is your adjustment tomorrow too? I'll be thinking of ya!
You've come a long way - You have really got it together! Go Girl!
THis was a very mind building post. It really is hard for overweight people in the world. We are judged harder and looked at like we are horrible trolls. Thanks for the post.
I'm so glad you posted your inspirational talk to yourself. I think that all of us should take a cue from you and do the same. It's hard for us to say positive things to ourselves, I think, after we have spent so long beating ourselves up for our flaws (on top of the criticism we recieved from others). Let's hear it for Positive Reinforcement! You ARE Beautiful and I can't wait to meet you in Chicago!
What a great post. I hate hate hate the bad parts of the world and I have no idea what to do about them. I love love love that you shared with us your positvie self talk - that's great!! And like Stephanie I totally agree - we should all take a lesson from you and do it for ourselves!! I look forward to meeting you in Chicago as well!!
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