Body Positivity
What do you love about your body?
How has it shown up for you?
I actually love nothing about my body. For today, at least. My arthritis is acting up, my allergies are acting up, some how I put on 2.5 lbs. in the last 2 weeks. I just feel very short and fat today.
That's also how my body has shown up for me in the month of January. I was getting excited the end of the year, I had gone from 236 to 209. What happened?? Besides the holidays. I watched what & how much I ate. I only had 1-1.5, 16 oz bottles of soda per day. The only thing that I can think of is that I had a glass of wine and a Jack Daniels and coke at my husband's Christmas party along with iced tea with Splenda and water. I ate slowly, ate all of my veggies and a quarter of my potatoes and all of my steak. Had a small piece of cheesecake for dessert. Maybe it's all of the calcium containing things that I am trying to eat for my parathyroid gland and all of the calcium that I'm losing through that. I feel like I can't win for losing.
I hear you,
. I never lose weight during the holidays even though I am careful. For me, I think the shorter days have something to do with it. In November, December and January, I feel like 6 or 7 p.m. is my "quitting time" when it comes to doing anything physical, whereas I normally enjoy walks in the evening and that kind of thing throughout the rest of the year. The 100 or 200 calories a day that I fail to burn off with that activity adds up.
I know it's frustrating, but don't let this 2.5 pound weight gain take away from your previous success. You lost a good amount of weight and you should be proud of it. Maybe you can simply try to maintain your weight for now until you are feeling well enough to start up again.
Are you sleeping enough and getting good quality sleep as well? Arthritis and allergies can make sleep difficult and lack of sleep can impact your mood and your overall health. It can become a viscious cycle if you don't address it. Is your arthritis autoimmune? If so, are you taking anything to slow the progression and alleviate the pain?
When I am feeling negatively about my body, I often make it a point to look for people who are about my size when I go to the mall or another place that is fairly crowded, like maybe the grocery store. I see how good they look and how comfortable they apear in their own skin. That uplifts me a bit and helps me to realize that my perception of myself impacts the way others perceive me. If I exude confidence and self-love, they are likely to feel that above and beyond anything else. I hope you can turn your body image around as well.
Know that we're here for you. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
