Life is too short to be unkind to your body
Mel Wakeman
Registered Nutritionist | AuDHD | Supporting healing and recovery from eating disorders | HAES?
Life is different right now
It may remain different for some time.
We just don't know.
You might be feeling a whole range of different emotions.
You might be feeling frustrated and angry.
Are you conscious of dishing out any negative feelings to yourself?
Be honest with yourself, do you really deserve it?
Would you speak to your best friend in the same way you think about or speak to yourself?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you have to force the positivity and happiness.
Sometimes it's good to sit in the shit for a while.
It's absolutely OK to just exist right now.
You don't have to be achieving.
You don't have to be exercising every day and eating less.
Understanding and kindness are your best allies when it comes to working through difficult times.
Self compassion will allow you to see a way to navigate the shit, that doesn't involve adding more guilt or shame to the situation.
For you feel the most you can be, for you to feel safe and in control, you need to feel the things that are currently most uncertain.
But much of what you need right now are beyond your control.
Here are the key challenges we are facing right now:
- Reduced access to the food and fresh air
- Reduced availability to the food we used to take for granted
- Reduced access to healthcare
- A loss of security
- Restricted movement
- Reduced social contact
These are causing you to feel insecure. You are experiencing a loss of love and belonging, strength and freedom.
The result? Fear and anxiety.
So what might you do?
- You might feel a strong desire to micromanage your diet and force your body to move.
- You might blame your body for not doing what you want it to do, what it's 'supposed' to do.
- You might be thinking your body has let you down, particularly if you’ve been unwell.
- You might blame yourself for losing your motivation and focus.
- You might be feeling stuck.
What might be better to do instead?
- Pause and breathe.
- Remind yourself that health and strength are a state of mind, not a state of your body.
- Know that accepting your body today does not mean you are weak or disregarding your health.
- Be your body’s best friend and supporter; you are on the same team. Say “life is too short to be annoyed with my body, it’s doing the best that it can”
- Trust your body it knows how to take care of you. Even if that means living on hula hoops for a few days.
- Do something nice that lets your body know it is appreciated. Put your best pants on! Make time for a nap or find a peaceful place to relax.
- Create a list of all the things your body can still do, today. Read it every day and add to it often.
- Make a list of at least 10 things that you like about yourself – things that are not related to your appearance. Add to it every week.
- Look at yourself as a whole person…choose not to focus on specific body parts
- Wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good about your body.
I'm running a free online workshop on the 13th April (repeated on the 15th) to help you restore a feeling of calm and 'control' with your body.
I'll be sharing my food and mood journal with you that will teach you to listen to your body - hear and feel what your body needs. It will guide you in taking the necessary steps to support your body, not undermine it. It gives you permission to focus on you. Oh and there may be a few mandalas and a bit of colouring to do!
Places are limited but you can book your spot HERE
What are you going to do today, for you?