I love that bloggyland (yep, I just said that) is a place where people can share motivation to live a healthy lifestyle. I think it's awesome that people can hold each other accountable to be more physically active and to make positive changes in their lives. I think it's even more awesome that the internet has blown up with healthy recipes. But I also think over-monitoring yourself can be dangerous and is becoming a huge problem.
Since I work at an eating disorder treatment center, I'm automatically more sensitive to this stuff. But I just can't ignore our society's constant obsession with weight loss. Sure, its a good thing for a lot of people, but I know all to well the slippery slope from "healthy lifestyle changes" that can quickly become an unhealthy obsession with weight and a fear of "bad" foods. Trust me on this. I was vegan for 2 years (which did abso-fricken-lutely nothing for me) and I am here to tell you that you can eat the cheeseburger. It will all be ok in the end. I don't mean to make light of this, I know eating a "fear food" is incredibly difficult. But I just want to get my message out there- if it will make you happy, there is no reason to feel guilty about it. Everything in moderation, all foods fit.
So before I leave you, I just want to tell all you ladies out there- your weight and your worth are unrelated. The size of your pants has nothing to do with the size of your heart. People like you just the way you are.
For the record, I'm not saying everyone out there trying to lose weight is doing it for the wrong reasons. I just felt a need to say my peace.
Wow. It is amazing that you work with eating disorder treatment center. I had a friend with an eating disorder and it was not pretty but she came out the other side and is good now. I too believe that everything in moderation is the way to go. One cheese burger will not make you fat like one salad will not make you skinny. Well done on you work.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about one salad not making you skinny either...people sometimes forget about that side of it!
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ReplyDeleteSo, so, so true. Thanks for that. I just said to my husband the other night - "I actually feel more successful at the end of the day when I go to bed hungry. There's something messed up about that." Thanks for keeping it in perspective.
ReplyDeleteYes! It's all about perspective isn't it?? I hate going to bed hungry...and I hate going to bed full, it's all about the balance!
DeleteLove this post. I changed my whole outlook this year to just focus on feeling good and not worry about any numbers or measurements. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Such a good idea to forget about the numbers for awhile!
DeleteYou are SO RIGHT Katie!!!! It's so perfect that you posted this today because obviously I was a little disappointed with myself when I wrote this week's post. I had just reached my goal weight and then I went and ate WAY too much cake and pizza last week and the scale showed it. Of course I'm sad the scale went up, but I think you are so right in saying that no food should be off limits, as long as we eat in moderation. We shouldn't beat ourselves up over a silly pound if it was gained for good reason (I.e. celebrating your daughters birthday). It's such a great reminder and I'm happy you "said your peace" today.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks! I was hoping I wouldn't offend anyone, but sometimes you just need say what you need to say!! For the record, I'd think it would be more of a problem if you DIDN'T enjoy the pizza and cake!
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