Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. The days of hiding behind the layers are quickly dwindling away. This time comes every year, but this year I decided to stop dreading this inevitable occurrence!
I love the summer and all it stands for, and I’m longing for it, especially after a long COVID quarantine winter. I want to allow myself to fully love it! That means this year, I am committed to leaving my body loathing behind! Can I get an amen?! I’m 33 and have never truly loved my body, even looking back on my lighter days. I know I am not alone here, but friends, why do we allow ourselves to feel this way?
This year, I’m challenging myself and you to change our perspectives if you need it. I am not layering, avoiding photos, rockin’ high-waisted everything….. Screw that! I am making a commitment to loving the body I do have while working to improve it. After all, I have a wonderful life to be grateful for, and I want to be in some photos to look back on and not only ones I am forced into. I want to want to be in them, and I want my smile to be genuine! It’s a shame to waste such a pretty one! See how I dabbled in the positive self-talk? I hope you can too!
It isn’t my body that is holding me back from this; it is my mind. There is always someone who would trade places, and I was far thinner in the past with the same struggle. I can’t lie; it has intensified with the added pounds; however, hating my body will not change a damn thing. My habits will and making a conscious effort to work on this part of me as I do many other areas will create the change.
Trying to reflect on why I lack caring for my physical body is an emotional challenge and one that I usually keep private or share with a close friend or two. Now I have decided to share this publicly so the many others that struggle with this can see they are not alone. I am the first to help others and take care of many things for myself, yet I neglect my physical health. I am not so certain yet why, but I know it is partly due to not having enough self-love. I haven’t been treating myself well. It isn’t really the weight, as much as it is about genuinely caring about my body and health. I have people who love me, and I know I am deserving of truly loving myself. At times, I believe I do, but I know deep down, your homegirl has some serious work to put in. I find myself being the first to care for someone else; I need to care for myself first and foremost. As we all do.
The journey is just that, my friend, a journey. It may not be easy, but it is definitely worth it. So, let’s brainstorm a few ideas on how we can make this dream a reality……
1. Exercise: I love the way I feel when I do it and actually enjoy it; however, I allow excuses to get in the way and always make extreme goals which causes me to have an early letdown. I commit today to consistency and small habits.
2. Let the amazing people in your life inspire you! I am paired on my Apple watch with two of my close friends, Becky and Lauren. Becky, listen…. This bitch is a badass and closes her rings fast af every day. She is a Peloton Junkie, and her dedication is so inspiring! Keep it up Becks, you inspire me to move more! Also, Don’t be afraid to ask them to hold you accountable. Thanks again, Lauren!! Make sure to return the favor and help them with their goals as well!! Supportive friends are the best!!!
3. If you have a partner, involve them if willing. Working in pairs on a goal is powerful, and also, this is more of a lifestyle shift than a goal that ends. Building healthier habits with your partner is a win win.
4. Eat better: This may look different for all. I need to work on not eating late and, in general, more healthy foods. I felt I ate relatively okay, so it has been easy for me to ignore. However, if I genuinely analyze my eating habits, they leave much to be desired. My small goals to start are adding more veggies and not eating past 7 pm.
5. Getting better sleep. This is a personal one for me, but I know this is correlated, so, yeah…. I need to work on sleeping more and stressing less. I now play ocean wave sounds and started a bit of melatonin at night. I plan to add a nightly tea. How about you?
6. Move more in general: I try to remember everything counts, so if I am yacking on the phone enjoying a glass of wine…. I pace around, hopefully, to offset some of the calories from the wine, hehe! This is how I got a few extra steps in last night.
7. Get outside more: As I started this blog speaking about summer, no excuses not to get a bit of sun…. It is suitable for the soul.
8. Schedule the time: Don’t hope it happens; make it happen. I plan to build a 30-minute workout into my day and start to treat it as the top priority it should be! #metime!
9. Meditation and breathwork: I need some stillness and focus in my life. I totally suck at this now, but practice makes it closer to perfect. 🙂
10. Get rid of any self-doubt: Put your fears aside and the voice that says you can’t. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Now friends, let’s get to work and help hold each other accountable. Feel free to comment with what works for you, I’m sure you have ideas worth spreading!
With Love
-T
With Love T <3 