1. First and foremost wellness is about both physical and mental health. I truly believe that absolute true wellness comes when combining a physically active lifestyle (to what degree is personal) and strong mental health. When you can create that combination for yourself…that is when you find yourself happy as a whole. I speak from experience. There have been times in my life where I have committed myself to strict “rules.” For example, no carbohydrates, no nuts, no alcohol, no sugar, no treats, etc.. When doing this I created an environment where I felt extremely restricted and therefore felt myself longing for these things more. It actually made my emotional self feel deprived and unworthy. I was NEVER relaxed with myself. Through trial and errors, and a whole lota work, I now have a deeper understanding of what restriction actually does to our mental health and how these “rules” can seriously change our perception or our stories about certain foods. If I had allowed myself to let my emotional self make some decisions around food, I wouldn’t have drowned in self-condemnation and harsh judgment. I wouldn’t have had to feel like I was at war. I would have been able to feel at peace with food, and to be able to eat more intuitively and lovingly. 2. Following diet “rules” can make you eat even worse When I ate strict (enter one of the many fad diets here), I followed strict diet rules like I mentioned in part 1. Following these rules made me feel like I was deprived. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the foods I couldn’t have. I obsessed over them. I dreamt about sweet foods like it was my job. I truly started to have compulsive, obsessive thoughts over FOODS I “couldn’t” have. In the end all this did was create a true unhappiness inside of me. I started to feel so restricted that at times I would go on complete benders when I got a hold of a pizza or maybe a chocolate cake. I would eat an outrages amount of this restricted food, in turn enter this extreme guilt state and then practically starve myself a few days after. Once I felt “good” again, this entire cycle would start over. If I had just have known then what I do now…that it was the diet rules that were the problem in the first place, I would have been free. I would have been liberated from my own prison. I would have been able to just relax my grip on my life. I now no longer swing between those violent extremes of perfect and disastrous eating. I have found balance, and you can too. 3. Prioritize Health If you find yourself on a constant search for what diet will work well for you to eliminate your cellulite, or maybe you think your arms are too flabby, or your butt is too wide… whatever is might be, STOP THERE. In some situations losing weight can make you a healthier person. It can decrease inflammation you are experiencing inside your body, boost your energy, give you a peace of mind and positive outlook. While on a weight loss journey you must prioritize the health reasons why you would like to loose some weight, and not focus solely on how you look. Of course, the way you look is a benefit from weight loss, but in terms of what is most important… it is further down on the list. To create a successful environment to loose weight you must love yourself and identify that you are creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself because you love yourself and you want to improve your overall health. Not just what you see in the mirror. 4) Acknowledge that you are not to blame. Acknowledge that your body is trying to be healthy. From that very first day that you were born your body has tried to keep you healthy. Obstacles that gotten in the way… things like magazine headlines that give poorly researched or proven claims about your health credit. Poor medical advice… there are thousands. The point is that your body is not to blame. You and YOUR body are a team. You are both trying to navigate this world and live a healthy lifestyle when you are subject to so much crap and crazy accusations daily. It is not your fault. So rather than blaming your body or being angry with yourself, I suggest acknowledging that you and your body are a team working together against the world full of false information. Don’t be mad- feel supported. Know that your body has your best interest first. Its up to you and your body to together do your best at finding health, peace and balance. Approach your journey of health and wellness with compassion. 5) Love your body, and it loves you back. The more you focus on loving your body (right here, right now) and identifying all if offers for you. The more you treat yourself with acceptance and patience and listening to your body, giving it the nutrients it needs … the more your body loves you back. When your body needs rest and healing and you give it that time, the more it actually heals. When you work at opening up that line of communication between you and your body, your body will tell you what it needs. It’s the most amazing experience I have ever felt. When my body communicates to me that it needs some time to rest, and I give it rest, I reap so many benefits. Things like increased energy, better mood, more restful sleep etc.. I truly feel like we are just starting to create this awareness among people in our society and it is SO exciting. Think about any relationship you have in life, whether it be with your dog, your sister, your best friend or even your boss. When you treat that relationship with respect and love, what happens??? It is the same thing between you and your body.
1 Comment
Timmy Dow
10/1/2016 05:04:55 pm
Thanks for being so honest Kat!!!
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