I spent years trying to fix my body!

My efforts to be skinny and tiny, was like being a Sunflower, wishing it was a Daisy!

What if the things you’re critical of, about yourself, are secretly there to help you learn and grow? And what if it isn't something you need to overhaul, it’s just there to suggest an adjustment or a course correction, to improve your life?!

Have you ever been super critical of yourself?

Even in your own mind? I was!

Have you ever looked at your body in the mirror, and despised what looked back at you?

I was very belittling towards my body growing up. I wanted to be skinny, and tiny. I’d look in the mirror, and would criticize my shape, the lack of weight loss and even say things like ‘I hate my thighs, my belly…’. Never grasping that my hateful words were really ugly, and hurtful to myself. I was always a big boned girl - I'd never be the ideal skinny, tiny person that I thought would make me be beautiful!

My body heard all of this and it held on.

My body tried to give me messages - to pay attention…

• Tiredness that would overwhelm me - a bone dense tiredness, that sleep, eating well, and even exercise would not bring improvement or help. I kept going & going.
• When I knew my body needed help shedding extra pounds, the same calorie counting diet that once helped me to drop 20lbs wasn’t working anymore.
• Migraines, joint pain, swollen ankles and body aches - all the ways my body was trying to tell me - I had to make changes. I just kept taking a pill to make the migraines stop, and a medicine cabinet full of supplements to make the rest settle down - it wasn’t working anymore..
• Burning the candle at both ends, up late getting things done at home, and then up early taking care of everyone else. Rarely noting what I needed - my needs came after all the other stuff.

Something had to give!

In August of 2019 I jumped into the WILDFIT 90 Day Challenge. I learned how shifting my diet started with my mindset, I learned to pay attention to what my body was really telling me, after I ate my favorite foods.

My new food plan became one that was nourishing and helpful and brought about so many changes - the migraines, joint pain and ankle swelling stopped!

Suddenly, this body that carries me around, was way more sensitive, and attuned to what I was doing, and I was paying attention to the feedback!

When diagnosed with breast cancer - I was reminded how I used to say ‘I hate my boobs and want to cut them off’. I honestly thought this way, because I was embarrassed & uncomfortable with my body, and how it wouldn’t cooperate with weight loss efforts. When I was preparing for surgery to remove breast cancer, from the area that I often said I hated, Spirit reminded me, that my body was listening all those times I sent it hatred and ugly words. Suddenly I was flooded with compassion for this body that carried me through this life so far. My body was faithful, and kept trying to go. It was not giving up!

This Ah-Ha message came to me, in the quiet stillness of a post cancer diagnosis. When I considered the power I held in my unkind words toward my body, I was blown away and convinced to not repeat this horrible inner or out loud conversation, ever again!

Now, I coach people to love themselves while making food changes. To honor their body, to be patient, and kind with themselves. Sometimes, just a step or 2 ahead of my own coaching. But - wow I had planted some pretty intense seeds that had grown without realizing it. Suddenly my thoughts and words about myself became very important!

A Lack of Self-Love Became Clear!!

It became clear to me that I lacked so much love for my own body - and had lived with the mindset that it should just cooperate with me, in what I had planned, without care or concern for what it needed. It was like - I decided and announced “I want to lose weight, I’m going to do the following steps… and I expect you (my body) to get in line & do what I say!!!” That was my brutal thinking I had for myself, without much compassion or curiosity for what I really needed, to be my best!

Thoughts and inner dialogue make a huge difference in my life. Even the critical ones I never say out loud. And certainly wouldn’t say to a friend or someone I cared about! Yet society encourages self criticism, and never ending self improvement, and altering ourselves to meet an expectation.

After cancer surgery - I just wanted to LIVE! I wanted a healthy body, and a chance to love, honor and cherish this body I have right now!!!! When fighting for my life - I didn’t care about the size of my thighs, or the extra giggle on my midsection.

It all suddenly seemed so very shallow being worried about the exterior of how I looked. What really mattered when fighting for my life - is Who I got love? Was I authentic? And am I happy? Suddenly the superficial stuff doesn’t make a big difference. Hugging my family again, laughing together, and connecting at a heart level is my priority.

Now it's become clear that my body loves me - carries my soul through this world, and is one of my best teachers. It deserves my respect, and care. And even with all my mess-ups- I get it. Now I give respect and attention to having a healthy body and plan for a long and happy life.

What if this was a all just big life lesson for me?

What if I can forgive myself? If I can move forward with a new compassion and self love that I didn’t experience before? What if now that I know better, I live better?

What if I tune in better? What if I pay attention to the messages my body is sending- as worthy to pay attention to? Maybe now I notice something is not quite right, and needs a tweak! What if I make it a new habit to Tune In, then tweak what I’m doing?

Things like Cravings, Sleep, Energy, Emotions, Endurance & Strength > these whispers, all can give me a glimpse into what might be going on with me - things that I can simply adjust with different choices.

For example, if I’m staying up late reading a really good book a few nights in a row, I’ll be dragging in my energy tomorrow. Tuning in - reminds me how important it is to get a good sleep, so that I have all the energy I need for tomorrow. It’s a simple tweak to set a timer and head to bed on time. Just paying attention to the whispers, and the signs my body is giving - inspires me to make a simple course correction - not letting it go until I need an overhaul. Ignoring the whispers over and over doesn’t set me up for the success I desire. If I pay attention and then make tweaks - I can have a better quality of life NOW!

Now I’m experiencing a deeper self-love, and a more specific direction towards what my heart is calling me to. A real authenticity that I’m proud of.

That’s a life lesson for me.

This Body has taught me self-love, endurance, acceptance, nurturing and self-care, and more about personal respect than I ever thought possible. It took me a long time to hear the message. I’m listening now - hopefully accepting it with more gentleness going forward!

Think about this….

What is the whisper that you know you need to give attention to in your life/body/actions that you keep putting off addressing? What would happen if you peeked at the message? Looked under the hood so to speak? And ask yourself what's a simple tweak I can make today towards improvement?

Enjoy Tuning In,

Gina

Gina Perkins Did you enjoy this edition of TUNING IN?? Pass this link along to a friend that might find it interesting too!! ​https://thestandingwoman.com​

PS- Watch your email this week - I'll be sharing details about my next WILDERBODY Coaching opportunity - I'll be coaching a new group through the new & improved WILDFIT WILDERBODY experience and you're invited to check it out! This is the program that I mentioned above.