I have stopped using my scales. Yep. I have gone from weighing myself everyday (sometimes twice a day) to nothing. When I started thinking about my little project: 50 Ways to a Better Me, appearance was one of the top issues I knew I needed to address in order to be happy. The title of this post is ‘Appearance Vs Reality’ because when it comes to my appearance, what I see is not necessarily the reality. The more I thought about this concept in connection with my happiness, I realised the power of the scales. A good number made a day magical; I floated through the day on some sort of weigh in high, but a bad number could be completely destructive - a good day could go up in smoke like a nuclear bomb had been detonated. All because the numbers on the scale did not meet my ridiculously high/impossible standards.
It might sound shallow, but I am sure a lot of people will understand, how I look (and weigh) affects how I feel. CPD has taught me that the voice inside my head can be a total bitch; that voice inside my head does not let truth get in her way. I am constantly fighting a battle with her. She wants me to feel bad and she will find something, anything to focus on and rip apart. This post is a definite reminder that what I see isn’t necessarily a reality, but more importantly there are things I can do to keep me feeling good about myself: Step 1 was making the decision at the beginning of January to throw away the scales!
Ditching the scales was not the only positive step that I made at the beginning of this year.
As I write this, I have been virtually sugar free for a month! A month! In Belle Imagination’s world that is a lifetime. I have done this before, a long time ago to lose the final baby weight pounds. It has therefore come as no great surprise that I feel good. It is, however, a very welcome reminder of how positive the results are. I have more energy, my moods day to day are better, I am sleeping better and the slow lethargic feeling just isn’t there anymore. And, bonus, because I am not constantly looking at the scales, I am focusing on the changes to my body; without the scales this is a new point of reference. I can look at myself in the mirror and admit I look okay. I now pay much more attention to the fit and feel of my clothes, and, right now, they feel good. As a result of this, I am enjoying trying and buying new clothes.
Giving up sugar is not the only thing that has helped me make changes to my body. I have made a commitment to regular exercise. I have a fitness buddy, I have fitness DVD’s and I am running a few times a week. I am not giving myself a hard time, but when the opportunity arises to do a little exercise, I do it. There are countless studies and examples of research that show how exercise is good for the mind, and that has certainly been the case for me. When I am active, I am happy.
A happy consequence of making the conscious decision to have less sugar, is that I am more likely to make better decisions when it comes to food in general. I know where my weaknesses lie. I know that I am an Upholder, and so I know that if I put rules and routines in place that I can help myself achieve whatever I want. This all gives me a feeling of control. That I am not a slave to chocolate and junk food.
However, as positive as this all is, I know that it can change so easily. The 50 Ways to a Better Me project is all about reminding myself of what works for me. Therefore, I feel the need to end the post with small warning: this won’t continue if I don’t work at it. This won’t succeed if I don’t stick to my habits.
Goodbye scales: it was never really that nice knowing you! Hello Belle Imagination: you look great!
Little Update: January is over! I am pleased to say I made it sugar free for the month (yay me). Now the real work begins: keeping unhealthy foods low and spirits high. I also want to point out that I very much believe that my project is about lifestyle tweaks and changes that will impact my life positively. While I am always going to try and make the healthiest choice for me, I am not going to deny myself. Last night, I had takeaway and a few glasses of wine and was very happy. This morning, I did a little two mile run and had a healthier breakfast, and am very happy.
Let me know what you are doing to promote a healthier, happier you.
Next time: Welcome to the Circus: tightrope walking, juggling and spinning plates. (Work/life Balance)
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