1. Stop Negative Self Talk
I want you to REALLY understand the power of your own self talk. Just hang for a few minutes in that space between your thoughts and listen. We all have this little voice in our heads that rambles incessantly. What’s yours saying? Your body can hear it at the most cellular level. When you work out to punish yourself because you don’t like what you see in the mirror, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which raises your blood pressure, inhibits your immune system, and tells your body to go ahead and hold onto that fat around your abdomen. When you obsess over some unrealistic perfect body image, you create a self fulfilling prophecy because you've already conceded defeat. Knock it off! When that incessant voice tells you your thighs are too lumpy, just smile and notice what’s happening. In our culture we are conditioned to constantly compare ourselves to others, even when we know we are each different and have diverse strengths. How silly of us.
2. Speak kindly to yourself.
When you love yourself unconditionally, just as you are in this moment, your brain immediately releases endorphins which boost your immune system, lower depression and send messages to all of your organs to do what they do best. Your thighs are powerful; work them because you know how good it feels to dance, hike and jump. Whatever you do, do it out of love for yourself. Strive for a goal because you know how great you’ll feel, not because you’re unsatisfied with the body you have today. It’s a small shift in consciousness that has immense ripples of effect throughout your body. It’s great to make progress towards goals, but be kind to yourself along the way.
3. Practice accepting others.
Try to remember that we are all human. We are all connected to each other and the earth, and the way we treat each other matters. We each wake up in the morning and do the best we know how to do. We all have vices, goals, ambitions and insecurities. Have you ever noticed how everything seems more possible with kind and supportive friends in our lives? Do someone a favor and give the gift of kind acceptance. It’s ok if you disagree with someone’s life choices, just accept them as a fellow human being on a journey. This small gift, practiced often will come back to you ten-fold. Empowering others is great for your heart and when you accept others, it’s easier to accept yourself.
4. See the media for what it is.
“You are perfect right now, just as you are” is a terrible sales slogan. Instead, advertisers make millions off of making people feel inferior. You’re almost perfect, but Red Bull will give you wings. You need the shake weight to tone those weak arms, creams to get rid of those wrinkles, new jeans might help you fit in with the hip crowd (You’d obviously never get invited to the party in those jeans you have on). It goes deeper than consumerism. American culture is so heavily steeped in patriarchy that both men and women are constantly objectified and reduced to simplified images of sexuality, masculinity, and function. You don’t have to watch media long to notice that human bodies are constantly being used to sell a product, cut down, criticized, photo shopped or worshiped. Every week some star is praised for losing weight, then slammed for losing too much weight. Our culture is one of materialism that drives many into a frenzied chase for the next best thing. Don’t get sucked in to the unrealistic ideas that are constantly crammed down your throat. You are much smarter than they give your credit for.
5. Don't wait for people to support you; inspire them to join you.
Whatever your goal is, there’s a reason why it’s yours. You’ve probably put some time and energy into getting fired up and moving. Your friends and family might not know, care, or understand your goals. If your husband doesn’t want to sell everything and live in a yurt somewhere so that you can live off the land- don’t be discouraged. Plant your garden with enthusiasm and show him how awesome it is to harvest food for dinner that you’ve grown. You have the passion and enthusiasm to support yourself in your dreams, and when you take the plunge and don’t let anyone stop you, it’s so inspiring that you just might be surprised at who jumps on the bandwagon with you.
Imagine your next office potluck or family gathering. You’ve got the choice to feel unsupported or inspiring.
You could refuse to eat any of their inferior food because it doesn’t meet your needs on this new “diet”. You could pick at the salad because it's got croutons, and pout or even complain that no one supports your new lifestyle. You could try to explain that fasting is perfectly healthy and you feel perfectly satisfied with that tea- to people who are becoming further concerned about your attitudes towards food. But just last year you were joining the fun and feeling fine, now this “whole new you” is a bit of a drag. They simply don't understand why you're acting like such a neurotic freak and you aren’t helping the matter by acting like a neurotic freak!
Or, you could glow as your walk through the door with your latest magnificent dish. You could offer up an amazing creative salad, some delish treats, fresh fruit or deviled eggs. You could be hearing "you've outdone yourself again" and “how do you do it?” Go ahead and gush about how great you feel, how satisfied you are and why you'll never go back to eating food that doesn't make you feel fantastic. Tell them about your garden. You are clearly happy, healthy and excited about life, and that enthusiasm is contagious.
If you're like me, the second party sounds way more fun for everyone! Don’t wait around for others to support your goals. Follow your dreams, be the change you want to see in the world, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other: you might really surprise yourself!
xoxox
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