Getting Healthy with Self-Love!
Our next step in getting healthy involves looking critically at our notions of
perfection as they relate to our appearance, personal lives and professional
lives. Given America's unhealthy obsession with youth and beauty (not to
mention the fact that media is everywhere), it is nearly impossible to
completely avoid appearance-based judgement. However, what if we set our own
standards of beauty, rather than accepting those projected onto us? What
if we stopped criticizing ourselves when we looked in the mirror and instead
celebrated that which is unique and authentic to each of us (like our strong
muscles or our kind eyes)?
Too often we reach for literally impossible goals when it
comes to feeling good about ourselves, despite studies showing
that 86% of women say they actually feel most beautiful when they are happy and
fulfilled in their lives.
This week's Get Healthy action is about giving yourself the
gift of self-love and acceptance. It's time to stop being so hard on yourself,
to let go of "perfectionism," and to celebrate your authenticity.
Take 10 minutes this week to step back, breathe and appreciate who you are and where you are in your life. Write down or think of three things you love about your appearance, your personal life, and your professional life. Use these notes as inspiration during the rest of your week and don't be surprised if feelings of gratitude arise!
From Jody: I think this is really important, especially for women that do get caught up in the need to be all for their kids & loved ones & husband & work & whatever else they do in life. Along with that, the media hits us with how we should look & how young we must be.. it can be very overwhelming & devastating to our self-esteem.
It is pretty hard to achieve your goals or lose that weight when you don't think you are worth it. YOU ARE but the learning to get there is often hard. Know you are worth it. Maybe the Miss Representation exercise above will help you.
Honestly, when I lost my weight and even at times when I got fitter over time, I was not always in the "I am worth it" stage BUT I kept at it anyway. DO NOT LET THAT INNER VOICE that says "you can't do it or you are not worth it" SILENCE YOU! If you keep at it, you can silence the inner voice that tells you otherwise!!!
Carla wrote a great post HERE Monday & with that post, how about we all try to do the Miss Representation exercise here or the other or both! What we do here can be put in that box Carla writes about over there!
After I wrote this post - Carla wrote THIS. That was me & sometimes still is ... I try anyways... I may have to fake it to at least get started but getting started is what counts & then you go from there!!!
Categories: Awareness, Challenges, Motivation/Support, Inspiration, Acceptance, Social Media
Tags: Miss Representation MizFit Believing believe in yourself inspiration motivation acceptance accomplishments social media
this all conspires to make me think IT TAKES A VILLAGE---for *everything.*
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Learning to silence the false voices is such a great accomplishment, and can be very difficult. Practice, practice, practice until we can learn to hear the positives in our own heart.
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I can't believe how spot on your posts have been for me this week Jody!
I was reading a book that was saying that many of us don't live in the present moment. We are either looking back and longing for the past or looking ahead to the future instead of loving where we are right now.
I am going to check out the links you provide and read more!
Thank you for todays inspiration - it was perfect for me.
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Sometimes we preach to change others, and sometimes we preach so that we will not change
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It's really kind of sad how often I do my 'success-checks'. I did one just this morning.
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Your post is so true because the average person in bombarded everyday with what the ideal person "should" or "could" look like. It is easy for me to hang up a picture of Ryan Reynolds in Blade 3 and say I'm going to look like him in 5 months but it can be nearly impossible to obtain for a few reasons. These actors or anyone in a fitness magazine are paid to get that ridiculously in shape and it is their job. Most people have to go to a job in which aerobic exercise is not in the job description. Second, is that genetically it might not be possible to get your body to fit the image of another person. Lastly, a lot of images we are bombarded with are airbrushed so unless I can airbrush my skin I think I'm out of luck. I think it is okay to have a large goal to look close to a person in a magazine to motivate but you also have to be happy with the inner person too. It is an impressive trait to be able to get out of the fitness rut you might have been in and focus on your overall health. Health and fitness is a lifelong path and not a magical potion which the media tries to sell you. I will be following this great blog and if you like the content here then please check out my new blog loseforcash.com
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Self-worth comes from doing for others and not relying on anyone. It's totally internal and if you are getting it externally, it's fake and doesn't last.
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Love this post Jody and your right! We need to take care of ourselves and love ourselves more.
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One of the joys I have found of aging is that physical appearance and my weight are less important to me, it's our actions that count.
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Yes!! GREAT post and you KNOW I agree 100%
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Thank you Karen!!!
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