Last month, I started a new journey. A journey that will get me healthy. Notice I say healthy and not thin. Personally that’s a better term to me, and I think also, to my kids. You see, I’ve always been heavy. I’m on the short side, and my weight has always been a struggle.
I internalized messages from a very young age that thin and fit were what mattered, what got noticed, what was accepted, and what was beautiful. Since I was not, nor have I ever been, I have always felt ‘less than’ despite accomplishments, words of appreciation, or even compliments. I’m that girl who, when my husband says, “You’re beautiful,” I always scoff and say, “Yea, right.” And not because I’m fishing for more compliments! I’m working on it. If you have ever struggled, Aubry Hoffman offers great resources on reversing your negative body image and empowering yourself to health with no stress, no guilt, and no diet. She mainly works with teens (but the tips work for us Moms too).
In fact, this is from Aubry Hoffman’s website.
Did you know:
- Low self-esteem is a thinking disorder in which an individual views him/herself as inadequate, unlovable, and/or incompetent. Once formed, this negative view permeates every thought, producing faulty assumptions and ongoing self-defeating behavior.
- Over 70% of girls age 15-17 avoid normal, daily activities, such as attending school, when they feel bad about their looks.
- Among high school students, 44% of girls are attempting to lose weight.
- 75% of girls with low self-esteem reported in engaging in negative activities like cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking, or disordered eating. This compares with 25% of girls with high self-esteem.
And this article offers even more insight and was featured on A Mighty Girl’s Facebook page: When your mother says she’s fat.
I don’t want my daughter to grow up like this. And I don’t want my son growing up thinking that only petite and thin women are beautiful. So, I’m on a mission to start and sustain a healthier lifestyle and I’m recruiting my whole family.
Here are my tips that I’ve compiled in the last month that have helped me.
Start Small
Don’t say that you’re going to work out every day for an hour. Just start today and do one small thing. Go for a walk, put on some music and dance, play tag. Just get moving.
Keep the promises you’ve made to yourself
You’re in charge. If you promised yourself you were going to take a morning walk, do it. Don’t put it off. No one else will carve out that time for you. If you break a promise to yourself, you’ll only perpetuate the myth that you don’t have or aren’t worth the time. MAKE the time for YOU.
Pick a great playlist
Here’s one of my must haves. If I don’t have music in my ears while I’m working out. I am not motivated. Music isn’t your thing? That’s okay too. Pick something that will keep you motivated and moving.
Get out in Nature
I know it’s August, and it’s hot. But I have lived here almost my whole life (with the exception of 8 years in Colorado) and I am still in awe of how gorgeous Fairfield County is. I personally hate working out inside (unless it’s Zumba) and I find there are a ton of great options here. Take a walk or a jog, grab your yoga mat and workout at Todd’s Point, Calf Pasture, Binny Park, Cove Point, Shippan Point or West Beach, and my favorite: Waveny Park ( Fun and random fact: my maternal Great-Grandfather was the architect on the Waveny Mansion!)
Pick food and recipes you love
If you hate salads, don’t eat them. Hate fish? Find an alternative. Love pasta? (me too) try veggie noodles or spaghetti squash instead. Your kids are picky eaters and you don’t want to be a short order chef? I just found my kids LOVE the smoothie I make in the morning! I love that it gives them a boost of fruit and veggies, and they think it’s a milkshake! Score!
If you don’t love it, you won’t see it through. Here are some awesome (and easy!) salads we love, courtesy of Pinterest! Another great resource for healthy food choices for the whole family is Jill Castle of Just The Right Byte who is based in New Cannan!
No matter your size, or what the scale says you’re worth it. You’re worth the time. You’re worth the effort. As Nike tells us: “Just Do It.”
What are some of your favorite get healthy and fit tips? Favorite recipes? Let me know! And I’ll keep you posted on my journey. Thanks for coming with me! Xo