I'm doing the Daniel Fast for the duration of Lent. Well, I'm doing a modified version-- I added eggs and I'm including wine and cider in the fruit group (you can laugh, but don't judge me). I added these foods because I'm a runner and need protein, and, let's be real here, I like an occasional glass of wine.
I should tell you, my purpose for doing the fast is not for prayer and meditation. My purpose for doing the fast strays a bit from the fast's intent.
My purpose is to be mindful of what I'm putting into my body. I don't understand what many of the ingredients are in most processed foods that are labeled "healthy"... and that worries me. So, by eating only fruit, veggies, eggs, nuts, and whole grains (quinoa, oats), I know what's going into my body because the foods haven't been too terribly tampered with.
I'm almost a week in, and in reflecting on treating my body well, I'm reminded that it's more than just eating healthy. It's appreciating the body.
Most of you don't know that I've always had an unhealthy relationship with food. I won't go too in depth, but, I've struggled with weight and body image for as long as I can remember. I recently read an article called "10 Struggles of Being Not Fat But Not Skinny Either", and for the first time I felt like someone else understood what I've experienced most of my life. The writer quoted Regina George (of the ever-quotable Mean Girls), "I just want to lose three pounds!" We were supposed to laugh because that's absurd! What difference does three pounds make! How silly.
False. I get it, Regina. I get it.
Seven pounds is my number right now, by the way. But, would that really be enough? What sort of satisfaction am I hoping to gain by losing a simple seven pounds?
We see headlines on magazines about all of the latest diets and detoxes, but it's more than wanting to look a certain way. I believe it goes much deeper than that. It ties into our self-worth.
I would like to see a headline that says "I'm a size 10 and I feel AWESOME!"
It's a sad truth that I don't appreciate the way my body looks most of the time. In fact, I believe that most women and perhaps even men are, for the most part, insecure with how they look. I saw a statistic that 91% of women are unhappy with the way they look and will seek dieting to achieve their desired body shape.
So, why don't we talk to eachother about it?
If a majority of us are experiencing the same struggle in one form or another, if it's causing eating disorders, excessive exercising, extreme diets, depression, anxiety, a combination of all of the above, the list goes on...
Why. Aren't. We. Talking. About. It. ?
Is it embarrassing? For me, yes. Does it make you vulnerable? Sure does. Is talking about this a sign of weakness? No. Absolutely not. Stop telling yourself that.
STOP ridiculing the way you look, and appreciate the body you've been given. Stop looking in the mirror from all angles, ten times a day. Stop being obsessed with the number on the scale, because what does it really measure anyway? It doesn't measure your beauty or, most importantly, your worth.
DO start being honest with yourself. What do I want to gain by losing weight? Is this the best way to achieve that? Is my struggle with weight just a symptom of a bigger issue?
GO start a conversation. With your best friend, with your mom, your husband, your wife-- the important thing is to talk about it. I'm so tired of not being able to talk about it.
REMEMBER your value does not come from your looks. Most people struggle with body image. It doesn't have to be embarrassing. We can help one another.
It takes bravery and courage to admit our struggles and be honest with ourselves.
Be brave. Let's talk about it.
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