Month: September 2009

I’m Weak

Published on by Christine12 Comments

I had a fantastic chat with my sister Roxy this week.  It seems no matter how long we may go without chatting as life gets busy, our lives often run in parallel. 

We were talking about what it is we continue to tell ourselves in our daily lives.  That lie that we in turn go out of our way to prove wrong.  For me, it’s that I’m weak.  I have a hard time showing vulnerability (although it may not seem that way since I put a lot of personal struggles on this blog).  I don’t want to ask for help.  In fact, I’ll short-change myself and my kids in the not-asking-for-help process. 

I create these posts of random thoughts, and at the moment I hit the “Publish” button on this blog, I go through a day of wanting to take it down and have hives (pretend hives they may be) at the thought of putting it out there…

to be read…

to be judged…

to be taken the wrong way…

So what if it is taken the wrong way?  So what if there are those out there that will mock and judge my point of view?  It really doesn’t matter.  There will always be those people in all of our lives that can’t accept us for who we truly are.  That’s OK!  It doesn’t change the fact that we are who we are.  It’s important to surround yourself with a support system of people who DO value and accept you…exactly who you are, but that will continue to support and encourage growth in your life.  Life is far too short to live in a cloud of negativity. 

What is your lie? 

What lie do you go out of your way to prove wrong? 

Do you think this hurts you?

In what way?

Whatever that lie may be, it’s important to challenge it, and push yourself out of your comfort zone to deal with it.  For me, posting on this blog is part of that process. 

Some thoughts for your Thursday!

It’s taken me many years to truly accept who I am as a person.  Through this self-acceptance, it’s opened a door to accepting others for who they are.  We are all perfectly imperfect.  It’s refreshing.

Here I go once again, hitting the publish button.

Christine

Cookie Cutter Body

Published on by Christine20 Comments

Yesterday on my facebook status, I asked people if they were either happy or unhappy with their body image.  I wasn’t sure what the results would be.  Of the 38 women that responded, the results were this…

66% unhappy

18% happy

16% on their way to being happy

I didn’t count my vote, which would probably be with the 16% which are on their way to being happy with their body image.  Even after years of working on it, it’s an issue I continue to struggle with.  Progress…not perfection (as my friend Ginette used to tell me).

Why aren’t we happy with ourselves?

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Is it pressure from society to be a certain size and weight?  The elusive cookie cutter woman…

In my humble opinion, the only way we can move away from this is to worry less about what everyone else thinks we should be, and look within ourselves.  Which is funny, because as the results show, most people aren’t happy with their body image. So the girl beside you who looks like she has a body you would kill for probably isn’t happy with her body either.

What is your goal? One of my friends said she was happy with how she looks, but unhappy with her current fitness level.  So her goal is to run and bike easily.  I think that’s awesome!  That’s a goal that she is able to achieve.  It’s not about being a size ___.

I thought about what I don’t like about my own body yesterday.  I don’t like my tummy rolls, and although I can certainly work on that, I got this tummy from having three kids.  My tummy rolls are totally worth it.  Guess what? Most women that have children have the same tummy I do.

Life should be lived with pride.  Throughout my life, I have always looked ahead to the next stop rather than living in the moment. I can’t wait until I fit into that pair of jeans that have sat lonely on my closet shelf.  I can’t wait to tone my arms so I can wear a strapless dress that hangs in my closet.   Guess what, that strapless dress fits me now..toned arms or not.  I’m going to wear it.

The goal to be fit and healthy has nothing to do with being a certain size.   If you aren’t happy with your body image, I believe the solution is to be good to you.  If only we could see ourselves through the eyes of those who love us most, we would treat ourselves with the respect we deserve.  Really look within and ask yourself what part of it is something you can do something about, and what part of it is because you are looking to the outside world to dictate what you should be.  What parts of your behavior is destructive, and what parts will bring growth into your life.

I can switch my body image issue in one day.  One day I can feel horrible about myself because of the food choices I made, or because I’m a lump on the couch still in my pj’s sporting yesterday’s hair do.  The next day I can feel like a million bucks because I’ve taken great care of myself.   For me, this is what living a healthy lifestyle has brought to my life.  It’s given me my self-respect back and the willingness to keep going, to treat myself well.  To be proud of what I can do, and to stop living life on the side-lines.

I’m really curious what your take on this issue is.  Share your comments, stories, and thoughts here.

One thing that struck me from the results of the little poll, was how many of us deal with this issue…no matter what size you are.  So there are a lot of us in the same boat.  Don’t you just wish we could all just be honest with one another and let go of that cookie cutter mold many of us are striving for?  There is something so beautifully freeing in that.  It actually makes me feel giddy inside.

Share, talk, look within, and live your life with your head held high. You are beautiful, loved, and so worth it.

Christine

I’m a Runner

Published on by Christine11 Comments

I had to get a quick post in before going to meet up with a friend…I’m coming Miriam!

This morning, as I was walking the kiddies to school, I was talking to another Mom. She said she saw me running yesterday. She asked “So how long have you been a runner?” It took me off-guard and in my head I thought… “crap, she thinks I’m a runner.” I stammered out “oh, a couple of years I guess”. In the brief minute we talked, my mind was thinking “I’m not a runner. I can only run for a few minutes at a time. I’m totally winded most of my run. I run so slowly.” As she was walking away I added in parting… “I was totally winded the entire run”.

So, as I was thinking about it this morning. Why was I so quick to be down on myself? What makes someone a runner? Do you have to sign up for races to be a runner? Do you have to run fast to be a runner? It took me a looooong time to be able to run for a few minutes at a time.

I was the same way with my photography. It took me 5 years to tell someone that I was a photographer. I usually say “I take pictures on the side.”

I think the only way to continue on a course of moving forward, is to be really proud of who you are, and what you can do. If you allow your mind to tell you that you can’t do something, or that you have no business doing something…well, you probably won’t do it.

I’m a runner.

I’m a photographer.

Be proud of all your accomplishments. It takes time and work for your body to adapt to a new way of life. But, guess what?! Your body WILL adapt. Keep pushing, keep going, keep trying. Don’t give up. If you are winded and tired take a moment to catch your breath, then keep at it. The only way you will find out you can do it is by actually doing it.

Don’t give in to negative self-talk. It will keep you from moving forward.

Challenge yourself today, and be good to you!

Christine

Starting Fresh

Published on by Christine4 Comments

I’m in a funk.  It happens sometimes, but this summer, I over indulged on over indulging.  We went camping a few times, and I had my fill of smokies and blender drinks.   

My pants are too tight.

That’s ridiculously discouraging.

The kids have started a fresh new year of school, so I’m getting back into my routine as well.  I can not believe how much better I feel drinking lots of water, eating healthy, exercising…it’s ridiculously encouraging.

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I was yet again reminded the power of routine and habits. I read somewhere it takes a month to establish a habit.  So I encourage you, along with me, to get back into a healthy routine.  Or, start fresh, everyday is a brand new day. 

  • Drinks lots of water daily
  • Exercise! Get that heart rate up for at least 10 minutes at some point in your day.  30 minutes of exercise would be even better. Continue to challenge yourself and do more and more as you build strength and endurance.
  • Eat your fruits and veggies!  Our society is built on convenience.  What’s more convenient than grabbing fruits or veggies for a snack.  If you don’t like fruits and veggies, keep eating them.  As your body adjusts to natural flavours and sugars, your tastes will change too. 
  • Limit your sugar intake. If you eat alot of sugar, you probably crave a lot of sugar. I was just thinking about this the other day. My son woke up early in the morning and while still wiping the sleep from his eyes, asked for McDonald’s for breakfast.   I told him No, and he told me he was “craving” it.  That really stuck with me. 

My 7 year old craves McDonald’s. 

Crap…on…a…stick.

It’s no wonder, McDonald’s food is loaded with sugar, fat, and salt.  All of those elements combined have your blood sugar on a sugary roller coaster.  Do you notice that those types of food have you hungry and craving more not long after you eat them?  They don’t fill you up the same way that natural healthy foods do. 

I’m not saying I’ll never let my kids eat McDonald’s, but I guess I better be watching how often I take them there.  It freaked me out that he craved McDonald’s.

That’s my thoughts for the day.   I’m decided to recommit to committing to one day making a commitment to healthy living.  Just joking.  That day is now!  Who’s with me?! 

If you hate exercising, crank up the music and dance it out for a song or two everyday.  It’s OK if your dancing happens to bring on blank stares and eye-rolling.  It’s all part of a day 🙂    

Have a great active day!  It’s so good for the soul ❤

Christine