Who Sabotaged Your Diet and Fitness Goals Before you Even Tried?
So here we are, on the cusp of a new year, and with it…
a whole lot of pressure to create goals before it starts.
Oh yeah, I hear the chatter and find myself getting caught up in it all.
Do you hear it too. Do you ever wonder, Why would this year be any different?
Common Situations and Beliefs
Have you ever felt this way about working out and eating right?
Doesn’t it seem like the older we get, the more we would accept ourselves and our bodies? The truth is that we are a work in progress until the day we die. But, until that time, for many people, accepting themselves is an elusive thing.
The common struggle of the never-ending pursuit of an ideal body, seems to be so common. Are you exhausted at all? In speaking with so many people there is a theme of lack of self-acceptance, and THAT is what needs to be addressed before you move forward with a serious program of fitness and nutrition.
The truth is you are not ever going to be happy with any of the goals you achieve if you are not able to accept yourself from the beginning. Really…
Which of these things have you done?
– Achieve a goal and get right onto the next one?
– Never stop pressing forward, never take the time to celebrate your achievements?
– Reject compliments? Meaning, discount your achievements so that you don’t take credit for what you’ve done?
Well, guess what? This is the core of your problem. It’s not really your relationship with food, or with a love/hate of exercise. The issue is about how much you accept YOURSELF.
Why do you not accept yourself?
- Did someone give you the idea at some point that you were not worthy to have success, health, sexiness or power?
- Think about it? Who did that do you? (Watch out…it may not be who you think it is)
A really wise person reminded me recently of the need we all have to forgive. Before you get all worried that I am going to launch into some religious discussion, relax, I’m not. But forgiveness as this friend stated, is not about the OTHER person, it is all about YOU!
Why We Need Forgiveness
So, who do you need to forgive and release? A parent, sibling, teacher, spouse, stranger? Here’s a biggie…could you need to forgive YOU? Yee-ouch…that hurts a little huh? We need to forgive not to let someone else off the hook, our pride would not always let us do that. But forgiveness is about YOU being freed of the hurt and resentment that YOU are holding onto.
But the beautiful thing is that by going through the simple process (not always easy mind you), of forgiveness, we release beliefs and wrongs that have been holding us down and holding us back.
Here is the simple process:
The Forgiveness Process
1. Think about someone who has wronged you. Close your eyes and picture them.
2. Picture yourself standing in front of them, all you feel is calm, strong and confident. They, cannot speak.
3. Face them, and simply say:
“_________________ (name), I forgive you for _______________(list offenses) and how it made me feel then and now. I make the choice to release you and the offense forever. I wish you well, and bless you. You are forgiven.
Open your eyes. Take 3 deep breaths. It is done. Let it all go.
Repeat for every person, including yourself at any age, past or present. Then, as you move through life, be quick to forgive in situations instead of holding onto hurt, indignation, or disgust.
Moving On
Now, the feelings may want to return, so maybe, you did not fully reveal all the forgiving you had to do. Go back again, think about the causes, the root to the pain and negativity. Go through the process again.
This will be an exercise that will be done throughout your life and is a very important habit to get into. Guess what, people will screw up, even you until your life is over. The key is to not get caught in the muck and mire that could be easily resolved by forgiving and releasing.
What does this have to do with Diet Sabotage? It has nothing to do with what program you choose, what foods you eat, what time you eat it but it has everything to do with THE WHY behind what you do. If you are constantly dieting, exercising 2 times a day, 7 days a week, cleansing, obsessing about food and calories and quality of food….it is time my friend to look into the deep recesses of you heart and soul to find out what is driving that.
You are beautiful no matter your size. If you are overweight, you may be insulating yourself from inner or perceived outer sources of pain. If you are obsessed with being the thinnest, strongest, fastest, #1 athlete of all time, this is a place to do a gut check too.
Disclaimer: Please don't think that this gives you permission to be a complete slacker-couch potato, it absolutely does not. We were made to move, and eat healthy food to stay healthy. Too many people use excuses for NOT taking care of themselves…which is another blog completely (different side of the same coin, by the way).
You must learn to accept who you are, what talents, gifts and strengths you do have, and stop obsessing about what you don't have. Give yourself permission to enjoy and embrace being YOU! Your spouse, your kids, your co-workers, your friends will all thank you for being you because you will bless them as well as give them permission to be themselves too.
I believe in YOU…the real you….
How about you start accepting and believing in YOU too?
I am here for you…Let me know if you are ready, use the comment box to share.
Anne (Annie) Berryhill is a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach, Crossfit Athlete and competitor who owns and operates OC Fitness Revival in Orange County, CA. Her services include personal and group training, nutrition classes and counseling. As well as providing incredible health-improving supplementsto help people to make the most out of what they’ve got.