Many of us know what it means to struggle with weight. From 9 years of age, I was made acutely aware, that I was "FAT". Fat meant ugly, lazy, stupid, and whole rash of other unfair assumptions. What's worse, is that I was only 9 years olfd  I began to develop very young. During the 80's there were no spokes people speaking on behalf of little girls and women fighting against false ideologies of health, body growth, and female development. I started with unhealthy dieting, and exercise very early. My self esteem was destroyed at an early age, and all of that carried through my adolescence, and early adulthood. I was in the Army. As a size 6 I was told I was obese because I weighed 160lbs. No one ever bothered to pay attention to my strength and agility. Nor did anyone notice that I was not mishapen.

 

The point is, I was very unhealthy, I did horrible things to my body in an attempt to be thin, "attractive, and fit". I could never reach the goal. However, over the years, some deflation and then anger, I finally stopped the madness. I am a larger built woman. I am muscular, and now after years of abuse, actually overweight and medically obese. However, I am stronger than ever. I want every man, woman, and child who has ever, or is currently experiencing the pain and dispair that I have felt, nearly my whole life, to take control. We can do it, baby steps, healthy practice, mental reprogramming,  determination, and support against the frustration the world, our own minds and hearts bestowe upon us. Let's do this together, slow, steady, healthy, and permanent. We are all forgiven, and as a favorite author of mine, Janice Taylor, once wrote "All is Forgiven, Move on".

 

The fact is we must not demonize each other or ourselves. For instance I am providing  a list of ways we have harmed each other or ourselves, and can learn from it.

 

1. Sabotaging other people's efforts (You can have it...it's just one and you just worked out)

2. Sabotaging our own efforts (I can never have a cupcake again, or I had a cupcake, it's all ruined, I give up)

3. Labelling ourselves or others to our standard of what's what. (She's only "x" pounds or size, she has issues, or she doesn't need to do anything) or (He is so "X", how did he let it get so out of control..I'm so "X" what's the point..)

4. Negative self talk

5. False idols

6. Comparison Making

7. Impatience.

8. Yo yo dieting, and exercise. (let's commit, and stay focused at being healthier, and happier, not necessarily a weight goal) That will come only with time, practice, failure, immediately moving on, probably failing again, but only for a meal, or day, never again for an endless cycle.

 

We are tougher together.