Size Really Does Matter!

Size Really Does Matter!

Last week I shared with you about my 80 pound weight loss journey.  This week I want to talk about the psychological "side effects" of weight, and re-training your brain to think in a new way.

Even after loosing 80 pounds, I still saw myself as a "heavy" girl...I couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that I could now get into the "skinny girl club".  The truth of the matter is, that I've discovered that it really doesn't matter what size I am...I always look into the mirror and see something that I don't like. I am on a journey of self acceptance, as many of us are, and I feel certain that this will be a life-long journey.  I know that I have so much to offer...that I'm intelligent and funny...that I'm relatively attractive...and that everyone who knows me, really likes me.  BUT, what I struggle with is liking myself some days...and accepting my body most days.  I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm not the only one...

What I really want us to start doing (I'm preaching to the choir here), is to love and accept ourselves...no matter what size we are.  Our "size" is not an indicator of who we are as a person...it doesn't dictate what we can accomplish, or how we can treat other people.  Our dislike of our "size", for many women, has become a mental prison...holding us back from from doing things that we really want to do...keeping us from stepping into the spotlight...chaining us to the lie that we don't have anything to offer to others.  Well I for one, hope that you'll get mad enough at this deception that our brains hold on to, and join me in making some changes!

Here's what I want you to grasp on to:  You need to work towards being the healthiest, fittest YOU that you can be (this is one of those "life long" journeys)...I want you to stop fixating on the number on the scale, and instead, focus on "Fitting In Your Pants" (that's what this is all about for me).  I want to encourage you to set a goal for yourself about whatever size pants you want to fit into, and make daily lifestyle changes to help you reach that goal.  It's important to be realistic...to set small, attainable goals for yourself.  We need to understand that more important than the number on the scale, is being healthy, strong, physically fit...AND loving yourself for the amazing YOU that you are!  I'm not telling you to ignore the condition that your body is in...I'm encouraging you to love yourself enough to join the journey with me to become the YOU that you've always dreamed of!

The Journey

Since this is my first blog, I thought it best to share with you some insight as to where I’ve come from, where I am now, and where I am going.  If I’m going to invite you to go on a journey with me, I feel it’s important for you to understand all of this…this will hopefully give you the “buy in” needed to join me on this journey.

Many of you don’t know where I’ve come from, and if I weren’t telling the story, you wouldn’t believe it…or recognize who I was.  This was me…yes, the very chubby girl to the right was me.  I was 208 lbs. at my heaviest, and a size 18.  Growing up in TN, this is what most women looked like…it was acceptable.  No one ever taught me about exercise and eating right, and it wasn’t until I moved to FL that I realized that I needed to consider learning how to exercise and eat healthy.  Sadly, my beautiful little girl was also very overweight and, as a mother, I realized that it was my responsibility to “set the tone” for the health and nutrition of my family.

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending…I started on a fitness journey, lost 80 lbs., and got down to a size 6/8.  I share this with you to lend credibility to what I am doing with my life today.  I am not where I want to be (I gained 20 lbs. back), but I am on a journey towards being the fittest, healthiest “ME” that I can be.  I’ve discovered that weight loss over 40 is a bit harder…but NOT impossible!  So friends, allow me to be a daily reminder to you that YOU too can do it…whatever your “IT” is.  I want to inspire and motivate you along the journey, and I’m sure you will also be an inspiration and motivation to me. 

I’ve created Fit In Your Pants as a way to reach others who also want to “Fit in their pants”, while being “Fit” in their pants.   It’s not about a specific weight…it’s about feeling good about yourself in whatever size pants that you want to be in…it’s about regaining and maintaining your “swagger” for life…it’s about feeling healthy and strong…it’s about being the very best YOU that you can be today.  Join me on the journey towards fitness and health…we’ll take it one day at a time…one step at a time…one good, healthy decision at a time, and we WILL reach the goal that we desire…together!