Monday, August 23, 2010

Guest Post: A weight-y issue

The Theme for Guiltless. this week is WEIGHT, something that is (literally) a weight-y issue for almost all people. My friend Thais wrote this guest post for us, and so we're reversing the post schedule for this week, by starting with her take on weight.

Hello everyone, my name is Thais and I write a blog titled Living in the k(N)ow. Elizabeth asked me to write a special post for this blog and I was more than happy to oblige. I think this blog is doing powerful things and I am happy to be a member of the movement.

This morning I went to the doctor’s office for a normal check up and first thing they asked was for me to step on a scale. I immediately felt repulsed and asked if they could please not state the weight out loud. I cringed for the duration of the process and kept my eyes squeezed shut. Next they asked for me to step up against the wall to check my height. I attitude was noticeably different and I was filled with curiosity to know how much I have grown.

Why is it that our society has programmed us girls to be embarrassed about our weight? Yet finding out how tall we are can be an exciting adventure. When people state I have small wrists or a small feet I don’t consider that a compliment- just a fact. But if someone were to tell me I look skinny or how good those jeans fit, I feel like a million bucks. Does this make sense? If you are a size 6 or a size 16, does it ultimately matter? If you are eating healthy, exercising, and overall treating your body the way it deserves to be treated- why is there such a heavy conscience when it comes to weight?

The bottom line is that the obsession we place on food and weight is simply unhealthy. There is more to life than just a few numbers on a scale. And to think- just a few hundred years ago the fatter you were the more you were considered regal and well enough endowed to not have to work for your wealth. Our media has placed a huge burden on us and technology has not helped.

A great way to change our focus back to the important things in life is to breathe. The general response I receive when I say that is “but I breathe everyday!” This type of breathing is a bit more specialized. It involves attuning ourselves back to our bodies. Feeling ourselves and being in the present moment. Only through this attunement will we discover what we truly desire- whether it be that chocolate cake or an extra mile in our morning run. Breathing and focusing our attention on the now will slowly shift the mentality towards our friends, our families, our studies, and away from society’s obsession with pounds. It also truly helps feeling lighter and guiltless. We deserve the very best of this world!

If you’re interested in reading up more about spirituality and how it connects to our daily lives check out my blog! And remember- you are beautiful.

Love, Thais

Thank you Thais! Do you let the number on the scale define YOU? how does checking your weight affect your self-esteem? check back later this week for Stephanie and Elizabeth's take!

1 comment:

  1. Great post! I'm also a firm believer in that the number on the scale should by NO MEANS definite who you are. I used to be psycho about my weight and diet. I'd make sure I eat 1,000 calories or less (which is ridiculous considering I exercise and am 5'5'') and I's also weigh myself sometimes 5 times a day. CRAZY. Why did I do that? I was beautiful and strong and smart, yet I'd like the stupid scale make or break my day. Now I weigh myself reguarly to keep track, but I do it for my health instead and don't get upset or happy if the number goes down or up. It's just a number after all. I also eat about 1,600 to 1,800 calories a day, exercise and have a MUCH better self image than I did a couple years ago. Once you get past that stupid number I promise you life will be so much happier and stress free : ) I hope that everyone can realize how beautiful they really are, regardless of the number on the scale or size on your pant tag.

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