I read this article today that made a great point-- someone may be afraid to totally transform themselves (their bodies) because they're afraid of losing their "old self." People tend to think of what they'll be losing (besides the fat!) instead of celebrating all that they'll be gaining by having a healthier body. Food for thought, right?
Years ago, I sat in a group talk about grief and how we all carry a "grief case" around with us. In our grief case, we put the sad things that have happened to us in our lives that we grieve. It could be the death of those close to us, losing a job, a home, not getting that promotion, etc. We tuck it away and carry it with us. That day, we talked more about what we put in our grief cases as new parents-- how we lose our freedom, our time to ourselves, maybe our identity. I had never thought about that before.
So, if a person is on their fitness journey to lose a lot of fat, what could be put in their grief case? What could they feel that they'd be losing besides weight? Well, I can guess that they'd possibly lose some friends that are underlying unsupportive people that don't want them to change. Other people can feel threatened when their loved ones make changes for the better. So, one may grieve friendships or changed relationships. They may also grieve the "comfort zone" that they are so safely nestled in. To make real changes, physically and emotionally, one has to get out of their comfort zone and find a new path. That can be scary. One may think that they will grieve the loss of yummy food on their fitness journey. Not true. It's not realistic to say, "I'll NEVER eat...... ever again."
Sort out your grief case and decide what doesn't need to be there anymore. Instead of grieving what you'll miss, celebrate what will change for the better. Maybe you get to wear something you haven't worn in a long time as a result of your healthy changes. Maybe you make new, active, supportive friends. Maybe you get off a certain medication or realize how much more energy you have every day. You won't grieve that greasy pizza, you'll find a healthier recipe. For sure, you will inspire everyone around you.
If you are at the beginning of your fitness journey, write a letter to yourself talking about what your hopes are and what you hope to change in yourself. How do you want to look and feel? What are you afraid of? What do you think you'll be losing, if anything? What positives will you gain? Who is there for you? Have a heart to heart with your current self and your future self. Seal it up and read it later on in your journey.
First, start here: What's in YOUR grief case?
