So, I drove past the Slimming World sign this week…
‘Yes you can’ it said.
“Mmm, can I?” I thought. It depends on what you’re asking!
Can we make weight loss happen if we want it enough?
When it comes to managing our weight, I think we believe this is true. Maybe if we keep wanting and desiring it enough, our motivation will drive us to succeed?
Nike says ‘Just Do It’. Do we need to stop fart arsing around and just get on with it then?
Are our own limitations getting in the way when it comes to successful weight loss?
In conversations with clients I often find our beliefs about what’s achievable (or not) are rooted in self blame.
And that brings me onto another thing.
Perspective on how we should spend our time.
Supporting our health and wellbeing should not feel like it has to become a full time job.
Liz Earle says it’s absolutely possible not to gain an ounce in menopause. Perhaps her brand depends on that staying true.
Her advice? Weigh yourself everyday*.
(*as per her live book launch event I attended)
My advice? Shut up Liz! 😉
In wellness culture, we’re not granted permission for natural change when in all things life related, things evolve.
We accept this when we compare antique furniture to Ikea.
We accept this when we compare a fresh apple picked from the tree to one that’s sat in the fruit bowl for a month.
We may even accept this when we look with kindness on the evolvement of others, after all we’re more forgiving to others than we are to ourselves.
But when it comes to our bodies, change is often seen as negative. Perhaps because it feels unhealthy?
Deciphering what’s natural versus unhealthy matters because the body evolves.
Our lived experience is literally chalked up on our insides and affects what happens as we move forward. We can’t SEE this, so we don’t acknowledge it.
Instead we just get soaked in stories (and marketing) that tell us we’re the problem.
We’re not the problem. The stories are. Placing the scales front and centre all the time boxes us in, and stops us from creating nourishing, sustainable habits that are so pro health that the BMI chart literally walks itself off the wall and into the bin.
My approach is to be pragmatic and focussed on the things we can have power over.
It’s proven to be more fulfilling and productive. It boosts self esteem and happiness. And it releases us from these stories that keep us going back for more of the same thing (that doesn’t work long-term).
To learn more about my approach check out my 1-1 programmes or self-paced / group options.
MY NEXT LIVE GROUP PROGRAMME STARTS ON THE 20TH SEPTEMBER 2024. Contact me if you’re interested.
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