Today, my mother and I took my daughter out for her birthday. Her birthday was in December, but we just couldn't coordinate a date until now. We had a lovely lunch. Then I took her shopping. I ended up with three new pairs of shoes. I have a problem. I admit it. That's the first step to overcoming an addiction, isn't it? The great thing about shoes is that they don't reflect the defects of my body. I'm not sure I even want to call my scars defects. I'm not sure how to describe them yet. I'm still working on that.
As I figure that out, let me tell you about the third and final step to the body image exercise we've been working on.
Close your eyes, and meditate for a few minutes. While in your meditative state, write a greeting to your body. Imagine you are looking in the mirror and your body can talk to you. What does it say to you?
Here's my greeting:
Hey you! Let's get in the best shape of our lives. Our eating needs to get under control. We need more whole foods. Let's try some new recipes. We need to drink a lot more water. How about carrying a water bottle (a permanent, recyclable one) every where we go even if it's just to another room? Thank you for making a commitment to exercise six days a week, to do yoga daily, and to meditate every day.
Now, close your eyes again. When a response comes to mind, write it down.
My response went like this:
I will feed you kefir and fruit and bulletproof coffee for breakfast every day. I will learn how to make healthy lunches. I will cook dinner at least four days a week. Any days that I don't cook, I will repurposed leftovers. When eating out, I will make healthy choices. I will give up fast food in much the same way I gave up carbonated drinks eight years ago. I will spend time caring for your skin. I will get you new boobs, and I will get pretty tattoos for your missing nipples. I will listen to you when you tell me something is wrong, and I will let you rest when you tell me you are exhausted. I vow to have more of these conversations with you so that we can be strong and healthy and so that we can take care of each other.
Do this 3 part body image exercise regularly so that you can grow to appreciate the gift that is your body.
I hope this exercise has given you a chance to spend time loving your body. On to a new topic on Monday. I can't wait! Oh, and by the way, check the resource page for information on Bulletproof coffee.