I have had a few haters that lurk around on the internet- the chicken-livered jerks that they are. People who actually send unsigned letters with vague threats- seriously this has happened to me, who does nothing but try to find the joy in life. ugh. So, seriously, if you have a point of discussion, please be adult. I deal with children all day long and I just can't with drama and bullshit in my downtime. Thanks!
So, as I alluded to in my first post, I plan to use this blog as a companion to the podcast that I am part of. I never in my wildest imagination thought I would ever be on a podcast. Crazy talk. First of all, I do not really feel particularly qualified for said podcast, but I have been assured that I have plenty to contribute, and I am getting more comfortable with the whole thing. I even listened to us whilst driving down to the oldest son's house this past weekend- the weather and driving was pretty miserable and I couldn't deal with my phone to change the broadcast. yikes! So I heard the one about about weight stigma and bias- (episode 43) I sounded kind of awful, I barely had a voice, but I have to say we are pretty entertaining.
We have covered a lot of ground in the last 6 or 7 weeks. From a solo episode where I talk with Anne-Sophie about how I got to where I am now, to discussing Oprah and her shady weight-watcher involvement. We are three diverse people coming from very different backgrounds. I am the person who is not in the business of coaching in one form or another and I did not have an actual eating disorder as they did. But what I do bring to the table is my age and experience, and the whole decades of thinking that I sucked because of my weight.
After my previously mentioned search for something different than diets, I definitely looked around for help. I read the blog of Isabelle Foxen Duke (and someone else I can't remember) and some information on the websites of a couple fitness trainer type people. I was at that time so far down that fitness rabbit hole, I had no intention of being anything less than buff, even if I gained a little weight.... oy did the universe let me know that I was not in charge eventually, but that is for another time. The podcasts were helpful, but I felt short changed- I needed more. I needed something as intensive as the support I got for dieting. I found some free short programs and I checked around for prices for this new thing I found called life coaching. Everything seemed so expensive, or not enough, or just not quite right.
I happened upon (this is sort of a love letter about my coach, she literally helped me regain my sanity and life) Anne-Sophie initially through her previous- Your Life Your Success- podcast. She has a lovely voice, and I love her accent so so much. She has always had a very calming effect on me. I have been known to get a little anxious about things and I am drawn to calming people. Anyway, I was LUCKY ENOUGH to find her when she was working on one of her certifications and I got some really great sessions from her in her earlyish career. I began doing occasional private coaching calls and then I entered her 6 month small group writing circles, which was based on journaling, meditation and Skype calls. This was the life changing time for me. This is where I discovered the things I needed to about myself and where I made change and accepted myself for who I am. I have not stepped on a scale in my house in 3 years this month, I do not know my weight and I do not care what it is. Big changes have happened.
I guess my years of teaching, plus my dedication to wanting to be free of the whole dieting culture and mentality has given me some perspectives and opinions that are worth sharing. At least I hope that is true! Like all of us, sometimes I feel insecure.
BUT we are MORE than good enough to share our opinions. No matter what we look like, what we weigh, what our size is- we are all worthy.
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