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2,725 Comments
I’ve struggled with weight all my life-since I was in 5th grade. I always remember being bigger than my friends and comparing myself to others. I’ve lost a lot of weight (50+ pounds) and gained it back again multiple times. I knew I needed to dig deeper to make it stick…but not quite sure what that should look like. I have two beautiful children and I want to be a good example for them and break my family’s negative body image. I have never been happy with my body and treated it right. I will start eating without distractions-even though it will be difficult (as I was having a snack as I watched your video ?). For fun today, I will dance and go for a walk, noticing the scenery around me.
Hi Jamie, the more you work at eating without distractions, the easier it will become until it’s pretty natural. I hope this video is a start to shifting the negative body image for you and your daughters.
Hi Sarah,
I loved the video and found it enlightening and refreshing.
My relationship with my body is an unhealthy one. Skinny by the worlds standards, but unacceptable and severely flawed when seen through my own eyes. Not enough or acceptable doesn’t stop at just my body or physical appearance, but bleeds into so many other areas of my life sabbotaging and hijacking them as well. The weight of it all so heavy, I self-punish in so many ways. As far as food, I eat healthy on a normal and strict basis – more punishing than edifying. And in those ugly moments, it is not beyond me to find myself eating a cake mix straight from the box with a spoon. Only to realize what I’m doing and throw it in the trash can outside. And hours later, find myself digging for it and continue right where I left off. And the shame spiral has begun.
I couldn’t be more in agreement about the core issues. Identifying where where the blood is coming from vs punish ourselves for the fact that the band aid keeps falling off the gaping wound and the self blame and shame begin. Instead Be present. Extend grace to ourselves acknowledging we are gutted and starving for love and acceptance from ourselves. And when we are brave enough to excavate, to dig, we rescue that little girl and take care of her like our life and happiness depends on it. Because it does.
Excited to be on this journey with you and all these other beautiful women who are sistering together, encouraging one another forward, digging with their brave. Thank you for sharing your story so courageously and inviting me, us to begin our own journey. ❤️
I’m a college student and pizza delivery driver, so it comes as no surprise that I probably don’t take as good care of my body as I should. I treat it the way I treat my tennis shoes- I don’t really pay attention to condition so long as it works for me. Lately though, my perception of myself has been changing, and I realize that I haven’t been going the direction I’d hoped for, and its time to stop taking my body for granted. I’ve been meaning to get back into meditating, so I think tomorrow I’m going to renew my subscription to my favorite meditation app and meditate next to the garden in the morning.
Loved the video! Today, for fun, I will call a wonderful friend whom I haven’t talked to in a long time.
I have struggled with food and body image issues since I was 10 – I am currently 22. I’ve always just wanted to be skinny/skinnier, which I was from age 10-18 (and I was very unhappy the whole time), but I’ve had a medium-sized body since age 18 and it’s been a struggle to accept that, though I’ve been happier at this size than I ever was when skinnier.
My current relationship w my body is accepting my newly postpartum self. It’s been a challenge but I am getting there! Eating enough for breastfeeding but committing to clean, healthy & FUN eating!but today for fun I went thrifting for awesome maternity clothes that FIT and taking baby girl to her first farmers market!
for fun…having lunch with a friend and then taking my grandson to his first swimming lesson!
my biggest body issue is feeling in constant struggle. I try to do the things I’m supposed to and I don’t lose any weight or change shape at all. I put a lot of effort into eating right and exercising but you would never know based on my appearance. It’s frustrating to be around people who don’t try as hard as I do and look so much better. Why won’t my body cooperate with me? Why when I’m following all the rules do I still look like I do? It just makes me hate my body even more.
I love to read but only allow myself to read while riding my stationary bike. Today I’m going to sit down and really enjoy reading my book❤️
What a beautiful video! I really really love the message behind this video. This is a perfect mentality to have – if you are happy in your life, truly happy, then your weight becomes much less of an issue! This is such a healthy attitude to have and weight issues are so strongly connected with poor mental health, whether it’s anxiety, depression or low self esteem. Focusing on the root cause (ie. by living more!) rather than the symptom (ie. your weight!) is so clearly the most logical thing to do! Why has this not been thought of before?!
You are a beautiful woman for showing others this way forwards.
Personally, I have never really struggled with my weight, but I have ALWAYS been hyper critical of my body. I joined WW with my mum when I was 12 years old, when I didn’t even need to lose any weight – but I was convinced that, even though I was slim, there was room for improvement and I could always look better. I’ve always been convinced if I could just lose maybe one or two pounds, or tone up jussssst a teeny bit more, then I will be so much happier/more successful/ more attractive. When actually, it truly is all down to confidence, and confidence comes from happiness, not weight or shape!!
What am I going to do for fun tonight … I’m going to sit in bed with a cup of tea and complete some of my crossword puzzle!! Sounds nerdy but an early night always makes me feel amazing, and I love little puzzle books! Made all the more special because of the beautiful smell from my lilies sitting on my beside table next to me which I bought myself yesterday after your instruction!
X X X
Thank you Sarah for your so very timely email and video!
I have spent my adult life struggling with my weight. My weight and self-image have kept me from fully living my life. I was always going to be happier when the weight came off. So, each year, the weight would come off with the latest diet – for a wile. Now, I’m so heavy, it is overwhelming to even think about what I need to lose.
This past January, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a double mastectomy, and started chemotherapy. I tried to be positive about the whole experience – for my children and husband. My body image has gone from bad to the absolute worst. The chemotherapy made me so sick and the steroids administered with the chemo helped me pack on pounds along with many other unpleasant side affects.
I have been suffering from severe depression and anxiety. My husband has checked out and cannot deal with everything that has happened to me. I recently wondered if I should even bother to fight this devastating disease.
I have so many reasons to live, and especially, to live well. I have a beautiful, intelligent daughter I want to see graduate from high school and college. I have one grandson and another on the way from my oldest son and his wife. I want to see what my daughter and my other son do with their lives.
Starting today, I’m checking back into my life and living in the moment with my family and friends. For fun, I’m going to take a dance class. My goal for food is to have dinner at the table with my family and no cell phones at the table!
I am looking forward to the next video!
most of the time i like my body a lot but whenever i have unsolved problems in my life or i go through a crisis i can notice how i take it out on her. then thoughts like: ” i am not slim enough” or “i can’t show my thighs cause there is too much cellulite” pop up and even though i know that this is very mean i often can’t stop.
my number one struggle right now is that i can feel that my body is changing and that she (and I ;-)) are getting older and i find this a bit unsettling. it makes me feel insecure that i don’t know if i am aging in this certain way because of my genes or because i am not taking enough care of her.
nevertheless i started to pay more attention to her and began to move more because i find that she feels more energized and alive when i do that.
it is in the evening already here in Europe so my fun project for this day is gonna be starting that second kombucha brew that i have put off for some time but had been looking forward to. it is gonna happen now! 🙂
all the best
My number one struggle with my body has been it’s ever changing shape with the way in which I train or workout. When I am training for marathons, I tend to put on weight because I am so hungry 24/7. I also know I am a stress/bored eater. This has helped me pack on the pounds. Prior to signing up for this video challenge, I found that I was craving all kinds of fresh fruits and veggies, and have noticed with the intake of more of these two things, I am feeling better, sleeping better, and am already down 8 pounds.
The one thing I am going to do for fun today is take my dog Murphy to a new place for a long walk without my phone. Sometimes in the rush of life, he doesn’t get my undivided attention on our walks, and it definitely makes me feel guilty. He deserves my undivided attention for sure!
I am looking forward to further insight from you. I have already politely and tactfully let go of so many obligations and volunteer positions that were zapping my attention, energy, and happiness. I want to live a more well-rounded life where I can do all the things I love, and not feel neglectful of Murphy. He is my world and my responsibility! 🙂
I struggle to maintain my ideal weight on a daily basis. It’s so hard!! I eat then feel guilty that I ate even when it’s not much…it really stresses me out!
Today for fun I took my 3 lovely dogs for a run on the beach instead of the boring field we normally go to. They loved it and so did I.
I’m 50 and I can remember even as a child picturing myself looking better/different and how life would become so much better at that time. I struggled with eating disorders when I was a teenager and early 20’s (starving myself for weeks to finally break down and binge). Once I decided not to starve myself anymore, I gained 60 lbs. I did lose that weight around the age of 29, but I still had my head wrapped around when I would look perfect which only lasted for awhile at a time and then I’d gain 10 lbs. I then had to lose it which took me on a crazy roller coaster. About 5 years ago, I decided to love myself the way I am. It is a work in progress. I still fluctuate about 10 lbs but I don’t obsess about it like I did before. Age has helped me with acceptance and given me appreciation for all the ways I’m blessed (including a body that serves me well).
For fun I am going to go swimming after work.
I will commit to eating with no distractions. In fact, I will eat dinner on my deck overlooking the pool.
Thank you for this! It’s been a long time, a very long time, since I’ve done anything fun for myself. Honestly, I think I’ve actually forgotten what even makes me happy anymore. So, for today I’ll commit to cutting and polishing my nails. It’s a start!
Such great points made in the video! I’m so guilty of putting things on hold. However, the most eye-opening thing was the realisation that I couldn’t think what to do for fun 🙁
Have decided to download something new to read on my kindle, which I will enjoy but was shocked to find that I could think of so few options. Where has the fun gone and how do I find it?!
Hi Sara,
Growing up I was called Skinnie Minnie. My weight didn’t show up until my 30s. Right now I know I should eat regularly, organic, etc. but many times I will even buy it and watch it go bad. I am carrying an extra 40lbs,. on average I eat 1 meal a day but sometimes 2. I crave sugar in the evening so the reward for eating dinner is usually dessert. By not eating all day, a salad by dinner doesn’t cut it b/c I am hungry in a couple of hours so I may eat the salad but the tub of ben and jerrys after a day fast isn’t probably ideal. I have auto immune challenges and have been dealing with chronic joint pain so it makes it hard to do things but it seems if I would push through it the things I could do would help nourish my body back. I certainly don’t want to just sit around and fall apart.
I would be lying if I didn’t say I want to be back to my 20 something body but really I have said in the past I just want to be healthy. I think the re-frame to that is I do want to be healthy but really I want to be happy. I love the perspective change and it really make a lot of sense to me. I am looking for to the #LiveMoreChallenge – so far so good. As for my fun today, I am going to take time and play and love on my sweet dogs. I am also going to brainstorm a list of fun stuff I want to do so I can start now.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ll see you on Instagram
Shine Bright!~
Dawn @eos727
I have to say my biggest struggle at this stage of my life with body image is my family or more specifically my mother accepting me for who i am. I know i am a bigger woman but i love myself and dont care what size i am. Still it hurts hearing her try to find some explanation or maybe i have some medical conditiion she can blame for why im not small like her and my sisters. I dont hatebmy body but i know she does.
For fun today and it may not be the most exciting thing. I am finally going to finish painting my hallway while i listen to music and sing my heart out
My body and have never been friends. I managed to keep enough fun in my life as a kid that I kept the inevitable weight off, but the second things got stressful my first year in college, it was all downhill from there. Through tons of different programs I have lost the weight 8 times over the last 20 years, only to gain it back shortly after. Life has not been fun in a long time. I have 2 special needs children who have my heart and my time, and when I want to get away, I volunteer for non-profit organizations that I love, but that keep me working non-stop. Between these and running a household, I have left ZERO time for fun, for my husband, for my heart, for my body, or sleep! I am growing older and tired. I am realizing that happy will not happen when I lose the weight. I am realizing that even though my responsibilities are time consuming and important and have to be a priority, I also have to be a priority or I will continue to teach my two boys something I do not want them to learn, that a woman always puts everyone else first even if it means she suffers and is miserable. I want them to grow up and know that the women they marry will need to take time for themselves in order to be their best and there is nothing wrong with that. Right now, that is not the message I am giving them. But I think it is about time that is the example my husband and my boys see.
For fun today,
I am going to get my hair cut. Not something crazy, but something simple since I only have it cut 1-2 times a year. Then I am going to catch up with the challenge I missed yesterday and buy myself some flowers and then just as I am, I am going to have the dreaded driver’s license photo taken. And I plan to let that photo (that shall live with me for years) be a reminder of what I have learned today, that I am beautiful just how I am and that no matter what my size is, it doesn’t affect my smile. Plan to post the Drivers License photo later on FB group!
Wow, I truly loved this. It is definitely a new approach to loving ourselves..
I´ve never been a ´fat´girl per se, and honestly everybody in my friends circle always remarks how ´thin´ I am. Except I´ve always had this little girl belly as I like to call it, because honestly it´s been there since I was a baby 🙂 My mom has always struggled with her weight, but she decided her daughters would not, so she has always told us how beautiful we are, how pretty our hair is, etcetera, and because of that, I´ve never really struggled with not having a perfect body, even though it´s something we all want. I personally love healthy food, and I don´t know what made me love it so much, because it is certainly not something my mom hammered into our lives either. I do however, need to be more present and conscious when I eat, so that is my new goal.
And for fun, today, I´ll go to the ´paca´, (a sort of thrift store we have in Guatemala), because I reaaly love to go looking for bargains haha…
My biggest struggle with my body has been the feeling of being uncomfortable living in it. And when I am uncomfortable I don’t want to care for it. I don’t care what I feed it or dress it up in. I don’t care if it’s hydrated or requires rest and rejuvenation. Which of course makes it MORE uncomfortable to live in. I feel my body is high maintenance and I don’t have the patience or the time to deal with all the stuff it’s asking of me. And when I DO take the time and massive effort to work out 5 days a week, eat clean and struggle to shed pounds, the numbers on the scale barely move. So I get caught in the “why bother, it doesn’t work anyway” mindset. I can be disaplined and follow a program, but since that doesn’t get me results, I am going to surrender and try something new.
So in honor of today’s challenge of doing something fun, I am going to offer my body some rest and I am going to sit and enjoy a movie. This is something that always sounds so nice but it’s something I rarely allow myself to do. I have a laundry list of things I need to clean and take care of today (the house guests I’ve had for almost a week have just left today) but i am going to offer myself a day off and a movie. Let’s see if this new door offers a positive result.
I hate the way I look in clothes and despise the way I look without them. I’m single and I know no man will want me this size. I gained 70lbs & gave myself diabetes. I eat until I feel sick & bloated yet hate myself for doing it. I used to have so much confidence, now I barely recognise myself.
Hi Sarah! Loved this video. Thanks for sharing with us!
My current relationship with my body is so much better than just two months ago. It’s not 100% perfect but so much better than having a NON-STOP gremlin voice in my head just beating myself up. I’m giving myself foods I want or need, choosing better, making better portion choices and moving my body in ways that are fun. The results I am seeing are amazing. There are still days I don’t look at my belly in the mirror. I hope that changes. I want to love what I see, not in a great outfit, but naked, standing in front of myself looking in the mirror. That will be freedom. I can’t wait.
1 fun thing I am going to do today is to purchase a numerology report that I have been wanting. I want to read the report with a delicious cup of tea, sitting outside.
xx
Lucy
My current relationship with my body is work in progress. I’ve had the yo-yo diets and been up and down with my weight. My lowest weight was in high school and that’s the last time I was genuinely healthy. I ate better and moved more. Then, I got to college and stopped moving, and started eating crap foods. Unsurprisingly, the weight came on quickly and then was a bitch to get off. A few years ago I got fed up and tried a medical weight loss program and was thrilled to get just 10 lbs shy of my “goal weight” only to run out of money for the program and gain all the weight plus 20 lbs back.
Fast forward to today and over the past 6 months I’ve been trying to eat healthier and move my body more. I’m doing it for healthy rather than vanity now and things have improved a lot more. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m a hell of a lot closer than I was when I was yo-yo dieting, not moving my body and giving up.
For fun today I’m going to hang out with some fellow bloggers and jam on food and the joys of summer. I’m also going to have to try the eating without distractions thing and then I’ll check back in with how that goes. Very anxious to see what it will be like. I’ve heard you talk about it before, but I’ve never honestly given it the chance to work because I’ve always been convinced I need to multitask more (yet another thing I’m working on LOL).
Looking forward to actually following through with this 21 day challenge and I’m more excited about living more than I have been in a long ASH time! 😀
My biggest problem with my body is self acceptance. No matter what I do or what I wear it is never good enough. I have a large midsection. I always look around and compare myself to others. Wanting to look like them. I buy shirts sizes too big so nothing will cling to me and you can see the shape of my midsection. Thinking it will help but in reality I know it only makes me look bigger. I am upset with myself 4 years ago I lost 100 pounds and as of today I have gained back 60 pounds. 🙁 I’m embarrassed just to say that. I’m getting married in 74 days and petrified to wear my dress. I’ve already gained 20 pounds since I bought it.
My fun thing for me today will be alone time walking and listening to music I like!
Ok here goes nothing but brutal honesty.
I hate my body. I hate the rolls and the way I feel trapped whenever I try to do anything physical. I hate that I don’t enjoy summer with my little girl because I don’t want to put on shorts or anything sleeveless, let alone a bathing suit. I hate that I feel like a prisoner and that I did this to myself.
That being said, I do appreciate my body. I see someone with a physical disability and I immediately thank God that I am able to move even though I choose not to more often than not.
I eat all the time. I even find myself arguing with myself that I don’t want the donut or the ice cream but something in me pushes anyways. My love for food has is killing me. It’s stolen my joy, my self worth, my marriage, my desire to be an amazing mommy, my friends, my ability to just live life the way I want to… The way I deserve to. But if I’m really being honest, it didn’t steal anything. I gave food the key to my heart and that decision stole everything. I robbed myself of my life so far and I’m not willing to keep giving that power away to a tired mindset. Thank you Sarah for this video. I have a very similar story where I’ve tried anything possible and have faced that demon many times. I finally feel like I have hope. I have to admit I started bawling when you asked the last time we had fun. First I cried because I couldn’t remember. Then I cried because when I did think of something it was from university, almost 10 years ago. I have been robbing joy from my life for almost 10 years. How does that even happen? How did I not notice? Sure there have been great moments along the journey, but it’s not a life I want to continue. I want what I deserve and I deserve to live.
So today? I’m going to eat with intention. And for fun I’m going to turn off all distractions and paint nails and toenails with my little girl. I’m going to let her pick the colours and I’m going to listen to all her beautiful stories and we are going to giggle and just have fun. Thank you Sarah. You breathed life back into me again. God bless you.
Hi Sarah,
Like you I first went to a diet club as a 14 year old. This was to start a lifelong cycle of dieting and obsessing about food that has at times consumed me. I came across your blog and watching your video made me cry. To hear someone who really “got it” – someone who felt the exact same way as me was so powerful.i am 40 now and due to major surgery I am having to revaluate my body in many ways. So for my first challenge – I am going to focus on playing with my two small children regardless of my belly wobbling or people seeing me running in public. I am going to enjoy “fun” like a 2 and 5 year old enjoy fun – and I can’t wait. I feel so excited to be starting this journey with you. Thank you!
Hey, I really liked your “come to Jesus” realization. I feel like I had that a couple of years ago as well. I joined a summer competition to lose weight by eating pre-packaged food, which was awful. I mostly stuck with it, though, thinking I might win something in the end. I lost 30lbs, but hated (almost) every minute of it. I was obviously happy with the results, but decided then that I’d never do that again and knew there had to be a better way. That’s when I started eating “real food.” No more measuring and counting, (I’ve also done WW for years) and just eating real, delicious food. I love to cook and bake so it has been a beautiful few years.
The last year, though, something has been off, or missing and I’m not sure what it might be. (Could be fun?) I probably put a lot of pressure on myself to do things perfectly for my five kids, and expect way too much from them and not praise and adore them enough.
Maybe that would be the most fulfilling and fun thing for me today. To just go sincerely compliment and thank each of them for the amazing and beautiful individuals they are. I know they appreciate hearing those things, (who doesn’t?) and it will probably just reciprocate in some sweet hugs and happy moments.
(Also, I’ve already gone running, which I love, taken the kids to the park, which they love, and cuddled my baby, swinging and tickling to get some giggles. And had some fun talks with my best friends. Is that enough fun for a day?)
I am anxious to learn more through these videos, looking inward is something I rarely and grudgingly do. But I’ve already appreciated this experience so much for what I’ve stopped to realize about myself.
Thanks!
Rachelle
I have always struggled with my weight. Pretty much have tried all of the diets out there. Thankfully I found something last summer that is helping me to promote a healthy lifestyle and take back control of my weight. I have never been as healthy and active as I am right now. While I have made a lot of progress. I still find myself losing that progress by being an emotional eater. Something will go wrong or something will ruin my day and all of my hard work for the day has gone out the window. I’m hoping that if I start to take back my life and become a happier person then I can control the emotional eating better and that I will be an overall happier person! Today for fun, I’m going to set outside and play with dogs after work. Not going to think of any of my to-do items or issues and just enjoy the sunshine and my fur babies!
Hello Sarah
My no 1 struggle with my body has been always wishing that I look like someone else whether that’s a celebrity who I actually know doesn’t really have that body after all the photoshop work but still believing that’s how I should look to feel happy.
My fun thing to do today is actually look into and book a class of yoga or Pilates not just think I’ll do it soon. I also went into my garden during a thunderstorm and watched the rain bring all the colours alive.
Hi Sarah,
My body struggle didn’t really start until I hit my 40s. In the last few years I’ve put on close to 20kgs and have developed a terrible relationship with food. I definitely comfort eat, I blame my job which can be really stressful, my husband for not wanting to participate in fun things that I want to do, my finances because I want us to earn more money and my body because I feel fat and ugly. With all this comes guilt, because I shouldn’t feel this way, I have a great job, a wonderful loving husband and 3 beautiful kids. I should be grateful for what I have, but I want more…
In your video you talk about going out and having fun. I realized that I rely too much on others to make fun for me instead of going out and getting it myself. I need to take time to enjoy myself doing things for myself. Today for fun, I’m going to get a hair cut in a totally new style – something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time!