How Low Can You Go - Part 1

    In trying to find my triggers for overeating and sabotaging my fitness goals, I have come to realize I am my own worse enemy.  Rather my self-esteem is. Let me explain.
    If you haven't known me for very long I probably appear very assertive and independent.  In truth I am. However, if you're one of the few folks who have known me along time, you know that's only part of my personality. I can be a bit insecure and self-deprecating. Its not pretty and I try to hide it.  Most of the time I'm pretty good at it but as I blog I find more and more ways to leak it out. This series on self-esteem may reveal more of me than I plan but love me - warts and all or not at all.
    I'm in several online chat groups and one thing that comes up often is how little we truly value ourselves.  Oh, I'm not talking about the obvious folks.  You know, women and men in abusive relationships because they think they deserve the treatment they get, the super insecure who cling to friends and family and can't go to the bathroom alone, or those that constantly say how undeserving they are of love and think their partner is planning on leaving them every time they sneeze wrong. Those folks put it out there and could use more help than I could ever provide.
    I'm talking those that hide their insecurities.  The ones who are loud in crowds and their demeanor screams "LOOK AT ME".  Or the guy or gal who is great at work but can't keep a relationship.  Or folks who diet fifty times a year but never get the weight off.  (Hello - I know her!).  We look put together, we talk a good game but when we are alone we criticize ourselves to no end. Why?
    The last blog I wrote was on the five love languages. To me it says it all. If no one else affirms you its hard to affirm yourself.  In other words, someone else has to tell you your wonderful before you believe you are.
    So, when do you need this to happen so you're a confident adult? In a perfect world your parents said encouraging words to you, but not too many, then your friends and dates built you up, then your spouse continued the trend.  I said in a perfect world.  No, obviously, my world has not been remotely close.  Oh, my parents were thankful I was gifted with intelligence, my girlfriends have always been supportive, but we all know its the people you date and the one you marry that make the most difference in how you feel about yourself.
    I'm going to stop here; I could go on forever, hence the series. If there is a particular area you would like me to explore about self-esteem, send me a comment or find me on Facebook.

Deciding on Your Fitness Goal

What is your ideal clothing size? 6, 8, 14? For men, 30, 34, 38? How are you choosing that goal?

Not too long ago Victoria's Secret had their famous modeling show on television. Have you ever watched that? Or perused their catalog? Of course you have! Who hasn't?  Not only are the outfits adorable but the women are breathtaking! But have you really looked at them?

A few years ago my daughter and I watched the show for the first and last time.  I'm not bashing the show -  it was an amazing presentation.  It was the size of the models that freaked us out.  You don't notice it as much in the catalog - airbrushing is a great tool - but on the television you could see how their hip bones jutted out and their ribs showed.  It was scary!  My daughter, at the time, was in her mid-teens and even realized these girls were too thin.

You know I admire women like Jaime Lee Curtis who showed her stuff in, I believe it was, More magazine, proving some of Hollywood looks like us - when they aren't airbrushed.

Magazines, movies and the internet try to tell us what is appropriate for being beautiful or handsome.  However, they take it to the extreme and make it totally unattainable for the majority of the population. Oh, I'm not saying we can't all have ripped abs and bulging biceps  because, if you are dedicated and you want that, it is possible.  I have many friends who do.  But for most of us its important to start to love who we are as we are.  Having self-esteme and loving ourselves is the first step in getting healthy.  Not letting Hollywood or some model tell you aren't good enough isn't tolerable.

Once you can love who you are and believe you are okay as you are can you move forward to a healthier you.  Eating better and adding movement to your daily routine will move you toward your goals.  Learning about your body type and they best styles to wear on it will help you feel more confident too.  Having realistic goals, small steps instead of far reaching goals you feel you will never get to, will build confidence too.

Say no to stereotypes and unreal images.  Start loving yourself and loving life!