Where did we get the idea that bigger is better?

Watching Dr. Oz last week, I was struck by the impact of the messages that we receive in Western society that more is better and bigger is better, yet we criticize and are disgusted by people who are overweight and bigger than others and reward people to eat less when they are presented more.  Sounds like a mixed message. 

Dr. Oz interviewed obese women and offered to provide help psychologically and physically to get them closer to healthy.  I was facinated by a few commonalities among these women. 

1. They all have absent fathers
2. They all have received messages growing up that led them to believe they were worthless

What leads people to believe these messages of unworthiness?  Why do some people use food as a way of filling that void while others use alcohol/drugs, exercise, people, shopping, etc.  Other interpretations of messages might also be "I'm not enough" or "No one loves me". 

Weight gain/loss is not the only result of those thoughts but decisions on what environment we choose to work and live in.  Even if you are not overweight, what other things might you be seeking to fill a void in your life? 

Are we all seeking to fill a void?  Are some outward results and behaviors more acceptable in our society than others?

What race are you running?

What is the race you want to run and what type of runner would you like to be or become?

About 5 years ago, I noticed that I was running unconsciously.  My walking pace was always fast from place to place, even around the office.  I found myself taking shallow breaths throughout the day and rarely taking a deep breath.  I also noticed that I wouldn't stop for very long to talk to people or notice the journey along the way.  I got medical check ups that also showed the 'race'.  My blood pressure over 10 years steadily increased to the point that I needed high blood pressure medication at age 28. It wasn't until I left my job after 13 years and was diagnosed with Shingles, that I knew that my body was screaming at me to change.

At the time, I thought, "I just left my job and my relationship with my boyfriend, isn't that enough change?"  What dawned on me was that stress is cumulative over time and the outcome or result isn't instantaneously related to a change or stress.  Also, stress isn't going to go away.  Life is stressful and waiting for the stress to go away is just waiting all of your life for something that will never come.  All I have influence over is how I process my stress and the strategies I use to deal with stress.  Ignoring it was no longer an option.

During these economic times, how are you managing your stress?  What is contributing to your stress: bills, job, family, responsibility, the "should's", the "I can'ts", health?

My vision now is to become resiliant, grounded, flexible, and strong in all aspects of my life: job, family, health (mental, physical, and emotional), finances.

Making changes

I see friends and people around me racing to get from A to B, rushing to be promoted, anxious to know and predict the future or hurrying to be settled. What settles us is not a destination, but a way of being. Being truly present and daring to live this life fully is riding the current no matter what rocks and debris come along in our path, no matter what rapids and swirling eddies come our way.  Sometimes it feels like we don't have any control and life is just a series of chaotic events. There are a few things, however, that I know I can have control over such as my reactions and responses to situations and events.  I gain access to options when I am calm and centered versus racing to do something. I think clearer and breathe differently when I am centered.  When I stop mindlessly doing and start intentionally 'being', I create space for options. 

When I was diagnosed with Shingles in 2010 after a long period of stress at work and a break up of a relationship, I realized that I needed to take control of how I manage my stress.  In the past, I accessed strategies of eating too much to comfort myself or withdrawing from friends to cope with life's stresses.  Those didn't seem to work anymore, and I don't know if they ever did.

I chose to start running to get in shape and manage stress.  I was 90 pounds overweight and wasn't even sure how my body was going to react to running.  I remembered that I used to like running in high school, so why not try it again? Only this time, I wanted the more immediate goal to be, "I don't want to get injured."  Being 37 years old, I didn't think my body would respond or recover like it used to.

I downloaded a running schedule called the "Couch to 5K" from the Internet and decided to start training myself to run.  When I started, I could barely run 1 minute without being out of breath.  After about a month, I had worked up to running 5 minutes without stopping and needed something else to keep me motivated and to push me further.  So, I signed up for a Running 101 course through a local running store.

I kept a very slow pace and learned more about my body.  When I felt my stomach cramp up, I found out that I was pushing myself too hard.  When I hadn't had enough water during the day, I found that my body was stiff and lethargic.  When I got enough protein in my diet and sleep at night, I had more energy and could sustain my run longer. 

First 5K of 2011

At the end of the 101 class, I ran 24 minutes without stopping.  It was amazing!  How could someone 90 pounds overweight be able to change their endurance that quickly?  In only 3 months? I made another decision to enroll in 5K races in 2011.  Originally, I was intending to do one a month.  I ended up with 6 total for the year. I started to lose some weight, but my joints were hurting.  My left foot started cramping and feeling like I had strained my arch and my knees started feeling sore.  I slowed down and took it easy, but didn't give up on my journey.  Instead, I decided I needed to change my eating habits, so that I would lose weight quicker and be better to my joints.  I joined Weight Watchers in October 2011.

The pounds started coming off and I was cross training in the gym--lifting weights and riding the stationary bike. By March 2012, I have lost 50 pounds.  I ran my first full 5K in February without walking or stopping.  I have another 40 pounds to lose, so I'm over 1/2 way there. 

February 2012

What control can you have in your life?  What would create a lifestyle change and give you access to new choices and options?  What can release you from the rushing and anxiety even if it's for only a few minutes a day?