"When adversity strikes, that's when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on."
-LL Cool J
-LL Cool J
I posted this photo of a beaver dam at Cromwell Valley Park because I love the idea that what is an obstacle to one creature could be essential to the survival of another. Perspective determines reality.
This idea of perspective relates to the way we view our bodies. Do you think your body is beautiful?
You should. If you don't, it is probably because our culture has given you the message that you aren't good enough. Don't listen to that message because you are unique and lovely. You can be healthy, happy, fulfilled, and loved... No matter the size or shape of your body.
Tomorrow I will talk in more depth about dieting myths, but here are some thoughts to ponder before then:
-What leads people to latch onto fad diets? It is clear that there is no miracle diet that allows every person to have the willowy body of an American fashion model. Even so, there is an endless parade of these fad diets being promoted and cycling upon each other...and millions of people try them.
-Sucessful weight loss is largely a myth perpetuated by people who want your money. If someone promises you this, don't believe them.
-Achieving health is different than losing weight.
-Empowering the public with knowledge about body types and health is against the interests of many people who will feel the economic losses of a satisfied public. Sales of perfume, clothing, makeup, cars, houses...an endless list of products that we buy to fill a void that often begins with unhappiness in our own skin.
-Yes, weight loss exists. Most people use diets to lose weight. These are temporary eating adjustments that are wildly different from anything most of us would be willing to do on a long-term basis. So we diet-lose weight-stop dieting-and usually gain back more weight than we lost. This phenomenon is called weight cycling.
-Despite having abundant scientific evidence that 1) weight cycling is harmful and 2) that most people who engage in a weight loss program are weight cyclers, the healthcare community is still largely promoting weight loss for health. Why?
-Is it possible that we have chosen as a culture to hide a prejudice against body diversity as a health issue?
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking. There will be more to come tomorrow. Today was a long day of work that ended with me teaching a beautiful group of people about natural allergy remedies. I enjoyed it and now I am going to sleep very nicely! I promised dieting info. so I felt that I should make good on that. Goodnight all!
This idea of perspective relates to the way we view our bodies. Do you think your body is beautiful?
You should. If you don't, it is probably because our culture has given you the message that you aren't good enough. Don't listen to that message because you are unique and lovely. You can be healthy, happy, fulfilled, and loved... No matter the size or shape of your body.
Tomorrow I will talk in more depth about dieting myths, but here are some thoughts to ponder before then:
-What leads people to latch onto fad diets? It is clear that there is no miracle diet that allows every person to have the willowy body of an American fashion model. Even so, there is an endless parade of these fad diets being promoted and cycling upon each other...and millions of people try them.
-Sucessful weight loss is largely a myth perpetuated by people who want your money. If someone promises you this, don't believe them.
-Achieving health is different than losing weight.
-Empowering the public with knowledge about body types and health is against the interests of many people who will feel the economic losses of a satisfied public. Sales of perfume, clothing, makeup, cars, houses...an endless list of products that we buy to fill a void that often begins with unhappiness in our own skin.
-Yes, weight loss exists. Most people use diets to lose weight. These are temporary eating adjustments that are wildly different from anything most of us would be willing to do on a long-term basis. So we diet-lose weight-stop dieting-and usually gain back more weight than we lost. This phenomenon is called weight cycling.
-Despite having abundant scientific evidence that 1) weight cycling is harmful and 2) that most people who engage in a weight loss program are weight cyclers, the healthcare community is still largely promoting weight loss for health. Why?
-Is it possible that we have chosen as a culture to hide a prejudice against body diversity as a health issue?
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking. There will be more to come tomorrow. Today was a long day of work that ended with me teaching a beautiful group of people about natural allergy remedies. I enjoyed it and now I am going to sleep very nicely! I promised dieting info. so I felt that I should make good on that. Goodnight all!