Today has been an interesting day. The group I have connected with has proven to be one of the best groups I have encountered. I have made many friends in dietbet and so many connections that have become very meaningful. The dietbet family I have connected with now are so real, while the end goal is to lose weight and win the money the posts don't refect that. It is real life, the trials, the tribulations, the heartache and the cravings!!
The one thing that stands out for me now is the fact that one of the participants posted what I am calling a "Mommy belly" I took it as a challenge of sorts and said I would also post a belly picture. It did take some time for me to take the picture and get it posted and one other gal beat me to posting (it wasnt a contest to post first, lol) I then challenged the group to post their belly pictures, mommy bellies, daddy bellies, buddha bellies, all of them are beautiful. Now during this time there were some comments and a couple of pictures have popped up or will pop up. One comment has stuck with me and is what lead to this blog. The comment was that I was brave to do it and the person didn't think they could. I responded that it wasn't being brave but being vulunerable.
So how vulnerable are you? I believe that you have to be comfortable in your skin to be vulnerable. Most of us wear an armor every day to protect us from the comments, the looks, the contempt in peoples eyes and we forget to remove that armor once in a while and let the human out. I first realized that we need to be vulnerable with ourselves because if we can't do that then how are we going to move forward. For me my vulnerablity comes when I travel on my own and can feel comfortable enough to walk around a hotel room with very little or nothing on (this isnt going to happen at home as my adult children live with me). What can be more vulnerable that being completely unencumbered in a hotel room. There are people walking up and down the hall, someone staying in the room on the other side of the connecting door. Did you check to see if it was locked? Did you make sure the security lock is in place on the main door? What if someone knocks on the door? or the fire alarm goes off? these situations can make you very vulnerable, can you do it?
Now I know that some of us are in games where some of our co-players may only need to lose a few pounds. they drink a glass of water and gain 2 lbs, go to the bathroom and lose 5. it is quite frustrating when you are in the group of having to lose 8, 10 or more in the four weeks. So lets even the playing field. Lets get vulnerable!!
here's the challenge, I want you to stand in front of the full length mirror and take a belly picture. I don't care if you post it or not, just take it. Then when you are feeling comfortable, lose the armor!! Before you gasp in shock, you are in a room by yourself, strip!! look at that goregous body you have!! If you have room walk around, feel how good it feels to not have anything on your skin other than air.
Now I know there are those that probably are already comfortable enough to do that, but are you truely comfortable enough to take that picture and post it!! be vulnuerable!! if you can't be vulnerable with yourself and take the picture or be vulnerable enough to post it in a group of strangers how are you going to be vulnerable enough to make the changes needed to move into a healthier lifestyle.
This more about thinking about ourselves in a diffrent light than actually posting anything. We all have problems,secrets, issues. Would you let a stranger read your diary? Do you have a facebook page? You let strangers into your life there but how much do they really know. They only know what you let them see. the most vulnerable we can be is when we are being honest, first with ourselves then with family and finally with strangers. Be open about the experience, be vulnerable.
Think about it, how vulnerable are you?!