If you find yourself thinking, I'll buy that bathing suit when I lose weight...
we'll go on a vacation when I lose weight...
I'll start walking or exercising when I lose weight, than you are putting your life on hold.
For many of us, years go by and we have gained a few more pounds, and life as passed us by.
So, how can we Live Life despite the fact that we are overweight? Are you ready for Self-Acceptance? Can you accept that where you are in your life are direct consequences to your choices and where you are, is where you should be at this time? You may not like it, and you may have to face a lot, but the first step is acceptance.
You must Love yourself enough as You Are Now, and Love yourself enough to change.
The real beauty we all have comes from within and if we don't have that, no matter how much weight we lose, we have nothing.
Self-Acceptance is a process and there are five distinct stages we have to go through to reach acceptance.
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and finally Acceptance.
First, we deny the fact that we are an overeater.
We might say something like...
I just have a small weight problem, I will lose this weight when I am ready.
You deny that this problem is an illness and is affecting every area of your life, and all you need is a little more willpower.
This only adds to the guilt and self-loathing.
Second, You realize you have an eating disorder and now you are angry.
Life has dealt you a hand that you don't appreciate, but one you will ultimately have to accept.
Why Me? This is not fair! You are angry at Fate for giving you this illness, and Society for dictating a body standard of painfully thin.
Third: Let's make a Deal! You want to change the results without changing what you're doing.
But this can not be done! You can't keep doing the same thing, your life must change.
No one wants to hear that, but that is the truth.
Old habits must die.
Fourth: Depression sets in, you realize all your old eating habits must be laid to rest, and there is pain.
The relationship you once had with food is gone forever.
You are mourning the loss of the comfort you had with food, and you feel sad.
Fifth: Acceptance at Last! You accept you have an eating disorder and you are open to new ideas and you are willing to do whatever it takes for recovery.
Acceptance is not a destination but a life journey that you will have to do one day at a time.
Losing weight is not easy, but the good news is...
it is Possible! Make a commitment to take better care of yourself, inside and out.
Set realistic goals, and the best advice I can offer...
know that you are not alone.
Work with someone that has an eating disorder.
Working together or joining a weight loss forum, or a weight loss group, such as Overeaters Anonymous has tremendous power.
The people in OA, from my own experience, are very understanding and loving people.
They loved and accepted me before I could love myself.
There is a network of people out there waiting to help you.
You don't have to do this alone.
Having the support of a group or another person will help you weather the storms and different stages you will be going through.
Remember, this is a life journey not a quick fix.
Why wait any longer, life is just passing you by.
Start today and give yourself the gift of life.
"The Greatest Discovery Of All Times Is That A Person Can Change His Future By Merely Changing His Attitude".
Oprah Winfrey