Operation Beautiful

This is directly quoted from Operation Beautiful, just in case you don’t have time to visit them today:

“Fat Talk isn’t about being overweight. In fact, Fat Talk has nothing to do with your size at all. Fat Talk is extremely triggering of unhealthy behaviors, whether the comments are consciously processed or not. Putting yourself down verbally creates reverse inertia in all aspects of your life. Instead of getting healthier, Fat Talk will motivate you to overeat, skip your workouts, and stay involved in toxic relationships. Additionally, even if you don’t ‘hear’ your own Fat Talk, your friends and family members will, and it harms them emotionally, spiritually, and physically as well.  As Jillian Michaels said,"Fat talk is transcending….  It affects your reality and damages you professionally, personally, and physically."

My words:  18 months ago I woke up one day and was just plain sick of being tired.  I started on Weight Watchers with the goal of changing my lifestyle to become healthier, to have more energy, and basically get myself fit, for my parents are almost 90, so I figure I’m going to be here a while.  I joined Weight Watchers and yes, I cried when I took my measurements and logged in my weight, but getting skinny was not my goal.  Living life to the fullest was the goal for me.  I started walking again.  Far.  And fast.  I started to feel stronger.  I logged my points, and as I began to make healthy choices with food and exercise, my relationship with food changed.  I began to see food a fuel and began to eat to feel good.  Along the way I did lose weight but that was not the goal.  HEALTH was the goal.  Walking and light weight lifting makes me feel strong and alive.  I am no longer exhausted when I wake up in the morning; I’m eager to get on my walking shoes and log my four miles. 

Today though, I had a little Fat Talk with myself after an interview for a little job.  I felt stupid and too bubbly and silly and it had nothing to do with the interviewer; he was someone I respect and admire and have know for many years.  It was me.  Telling myself that I am not enough, I am old, I should just go back to working alone at home.  No one will like me.  I have no worth.  Fat Talk.

But wait.  I do have worth.  I AM bubbly and older, but I am worthy just the way I am.  And so are you.  Exactly as you are.  So here’s the deal; no more Fat Talk.  At all.  Turn it around, do something productive, visit Operation Beautiful, call a friend, e-mail me.  We are all enough just the way we are.